User friendly booklets on new Amerindian Act almost ready
Stabroek News, Wednesday, March 5th 2008
Special booklets on the new Amerindian Act which are being produced by
the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in languages that will be understood
by the Amerin-dians are almost complete, the Government Information
Agency (GINA) reported.
GINA quoted Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues as saying
that the legal language had been posing some difficulties and the
ministry decided to make the document more user-friendly in order that
its contents are easily understood.
There are booklets on the Amerindian Act already which are available to
the public but Amerindian communities specifically will be targeted for
the distribution of these new booklets.
Rodrigues said that the project which started last year is almost
complete. `
Additionally, templates of the forestry and mining sectors are in the
printing process which will serve as a guide for communities involved
in the two sectors.
The minister said the project will be pursued because of several
complaints relating to agreements not being properly formulated and the
communities losing out.
She said a workshop was completed with the toshaos in order that they
understand the contents of the Act, so they could better guide others.
The Amerindian Act of 1951 was outdated and not reflective of today's
situation and many communities had asked for it to be revised.
In early August 2005, the Amerindian Bill was presented to Parliament
and was subsequently debated on October 20, 2005.
The new Amerindian Act was passed on February 16, 2006 paving the way
for Amerindians to empower themselves socially, economically and
politically, GINA added.
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