Minister Rodrigues urges early appointment of Indigenous People's Commission

Guyana Chronicle news article, Thursday 13 March 2008
http://www.guyanachronicle.com/news.html
Minister Rodrigues urges early appointment of Indigenous People's Commission

MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues, has urged that the
Appointive Committee of Parliament conclude its consideration of the
Indigenous People's Commission (IPC) as soon as possible.
Making a presentation in the National Assembly during the 2008 Budget debate
recently, Minister Rodrigues said that for every day the House failed to
appoint this and other Commissions; the people of Guyana will be short
changed.
On October 24, during a National Toshaos' Conference at the Guyana
International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, three members were elected to
the IPC. Ms. Yvonne Pearson, Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka is the first woman
elected, while the other two members are opposition member of Parliament Dr.
George Norton of Riverview village, Region 10 and Mr. William Andries of
Toka Village, Region 9.
Minister Rodrigues said, "Let us put aside our differences and demonstrate
our confidence in our Guyanese people, regardless of where they are from and
what they look like, by appointing some of them to these Commissions."
The IPC will address all aspects of Amerindian rights and development and
will be accountable for the interest of all indigenous people.
Twenty members were unanimously elected by their fellow Toshaos from various
sub-regions within the ten administrative Regions to form the National
Toshaos Council (NTC) out of which the IPC evolved.
These Toshaos are mandated with the responsibility of protecting the
interest of Amerindians in the country and will give support to the IPC.
The council will make decisions in accordance with the new Amerindian Act
for the benefit of all Amerindians.
This is a very important body that has long been called for and the
Government looks forward to working in a collaborative manner with the NTC,
Minister Rodrigues said.
Government was highly praised by the NTC for making the long-awaited Council
a reality and for continuing the development of Amerindians. (GINA).