Rich cultural extravaganza opens curtain on Amerindian Heritage Month 2023

…as Indigenous community lauded as custodians of environment

The rich cultural fabric woven over the years by the Amerindian people was on Friday evening celebrated in a glamorous extravaganza to open this year’s Amerindian Heritage Month.
Amerindian Heritage Month is observed every September, and this year the month is themed “Sustaining our Cultural Heritage and Identity While Contributing to One Guyana.”

Kickstarting the festivities was a cultural extravaganza opening ceremony at the National Park, putting spotlight on the different tribes, their languages, dance, food, and other important elements of their existence.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai pronounced on the fact that Guyana’s Indigenous culture is rich and diverse, adding that her Administration has always stood by its commitment to highlight, integrate and support opportunities to the country’s first peoples.
“It’s a model for the world to emulate whereby a Government as progressive as our Government can sit with our Indigenous leaders and dialogue with them on the challenges, on the opportunities and solutions; talking about solutions as it relates to their development, their livelihood and their people’s wellbeing,” Sukhai delivered in her speech.

Custodians
Performing the functions of Prime Minister, Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Gail Teixeira zeroed in on the fact that Guyana is blessed to have a society that is multicultural. The Indigenous peoples were lauded as custodians of the environment, having maintained their sustainable lifestyles which have protected the forest resources.

She highlighted, “Our diversity must not be a weapon of division but diversity is a way to build a nation. Our Indigenous people, have for centuries, had a deep connection with nature. This connection is rooted in your beliefs, traditional knowledge and practices.

You have for centuries been custodians of our environment and you have been its prime protectors.”
Texiera spoke on the global recognition which forests are now capturing, and Government’s efforts to capitalise on these resources. Last December, the Guyana Government signed a multi-year agreement for the sale of high-quality carbon credits to United States energy major, Hess Corporation, to the tune of a whopping US$750 million.
A significant portion will be injected into the development of Indigenous communities across the country.
“We’re proud of the fact that $4.7 billion or 15 per cent of Guyana’s first tranche was allocated to the 243 Amerindian communities for their sustainable development. This is an indication of our continued commitment and inclusion of Indigenous communities in our national development agenda.”
By harnessing the value of the forest through carbon credits, the acting Prime Minister added that the country is not only protecting its natural heritage but setting a precedent for the rest of the world.

“We need other countries to do the same. Small countries along cannot reverse climate change by ourselves. We must therefore continue to protect our forest and biodiversity within the environmental services they provide,” she voiced.
The role of the Indigenous people in bringing the country to this point, the senior Government official noted, is noteworthy.
“Indigenous peoples of Guyana are an example to the world on how to conserve and manage resources sustainably. This too, is your cultural heritage. You have taught us how to survive off the land and how to live in harmony with nature. You have helped to keep our ecosystems intact. This too, is your heritage,” the gathering heard.
Guyanese were urged to recognise the stewardship of Amerindians in protecting the environment, as they have holistically benefitted as a nation. Moreover, they were charged to recognise cultural diversity as an asset to build a united nation, that encompasses ‘oneness’ at the core.
She added, “As we enter a new and fascinating phase of transformation, we must not forget to preserve our cultural legacy. The One Guyana agenda that President Irfaan Ali is pursuing aims at ensuring that our country is grounded in greater respect for cultural diversity.”
Among the events planned throughout the month are an art exhibition at Castellani House, culture nights, Batavia Village Day, heritage sports among others.
Amerindian arts, crafts and cuisine will be available at the Amerindian Village, Sophia, until September 5.