“So many of us have been taught to run from what is ours” – Manickchand on Indigenous language revival

…as Guyana celebrates 1st Wapichan graduates at inaugural awards

Describing language as a vital part of identity, heritage, and belonging, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Manickchand thanked participants for embracing and preserving a part of Guyana that for many years was overlooked.

The Guyana Languages Unit on Wednesday hosted its inaugural Indigenous Language Awards at the University of Guyana, recognising the first batch of graduates from the Elementary Wapichan Course for their contribution to Indigenous language education.
The ceremony, held at the University of Guyana, brought together educators, learners, and officials to highlight ongoing efforts to preserve, promote, and revitalise Indigenous languages as part of Guyana’s cultural heritage.
Minister Priya Manickchand said many Guyanese were historically discouraged from using their mother tongues and were instead encouraged to adopt English in formal and social settings.
“So many of us have been taught to run from what is ours… to speak English,” she said, noting that she had observed Indigenous communities in the hinterland using their languages with pride and expressing cultural depth that translation could not fully capture.
She thanked participants for engaging in language learning initiatives, describing it as part of a broader shift toward valuing Guyana’s cultural identity.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, said preserving Indigenous languages is important for future generations. She said graduates of the programme should support language preservation through roles in education, research, and community work.
Principal Regional Development Officer at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Anil Roberts, said the preservation of Indigenous languages is a national responsibility. He said Indigenous languages should be spoken and taught consistently and with confidence.
Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development, Omawattie Ramdin, said language connects communities to identity and history and plays a role in shaping future generations. She encouraged continued use and teaching of Indigenous languages.
The awards ceremony is part of ongoing efforts by education and cultural institutions, including the Guyana Languages Unit, to support the teaching and continued use of Indigenous languages across communities.