AFC Column -- Amerindian Heritage Month 2007

AFC Column
Amerindian Heritage Month 2007
Kaieteur News, 9 September 2007

Once again, the month of September brings with it thirty days of focus
on the indigenous peoples of Guyana. The initiators of this month used
to highlight the contribution of Guyana's first peoples to this great
nation warrant commendation.

Not because Guyana's indigenous peoples are more important or special
than the other ethnic groups, but because their presence and thus
contribution is equally important as the others. It also gives the
Indigenous Peoples a sense of recognition and importance not having a
chance to be fully involved in the mainstream of Guyanese society for
many years.

While some efforts are being made by policy makers to have this most
important part of the hinterland population contribute to nation
building, much more needs to be done.

The enthusiasm and interest invoked in our First Peoples during
September in the past, is a clear indication of their appreciation of
Amerindian Heritage Month. Communities, districts, and regions plan
months before to ensure their celebrations have maximum success.

This month opens the window for all Guyanese to learn a little more
about the contribution, culture, and community of Guyana's Amerindians.
All and sundry should take a little time to read about, listen about
and even talk with our Amerindians brothers about their life. There is
yet a rich culture to be fully unveiled, documented and disseminated to
the nation at large. We challenge the indigenous community, the
Ministries of Amerindian Affairs, Youth Sports and Culture as well as
the Amerindian Research Unit, and the University of Guyana to "carry
the torch" in this regard.

This month should see lectures at the University, secondary and primary
schools as well as in non-indigenous communities highlighting
Amerindian life. Historians and indigenous resource personnel should be
afforded the opportunity to conduct educational programmes related to
indigenous peoples. These should be recorded and made available to the
print and electronic media. Prominent Amerindians from various
communities should be allowed to talk weekly about Amerindian life via
the media. The various regions through the Ministry of Education should
have small contingents from schools visit Amerindian communities to
give students a first hand experience of Amerindian living. This will
definitely allow for appreciation of diversity of culture and increase
knowledge for students.

This month will see celebrations all over Guyana, especially in
hinterland communities - showcasing Amerindian food, drinks and other
aspects of their culture. We must not however be carried away by the
ecstasy of this month's celebrations and take it for granted that all
is well with our indigenous peoples. Daily they cry for help to the
powers that be and other institutions and organisations. Their lives
are challenged with regards to land, economics, education, health, the
environment, mining, forestry and other areas. While the government has
attempted to address these difficulties, its efforts are still too
little.

The unilateral powers used by the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, to
grant land to the communities by her whims and fancies is distasteful.
The communities of Maicobie and Isseneru can attest to this.
Alternative economic activities for indigenous communities are still to
be found. Educational standard within the hinterland areas still begs
to be improved. Health care in some of these areas is actually
nonexistent.

While there is some amount of physical infrastructure, drugs, equipment
and human resource are alarmingly meagre. Miners and foresters still
pollute and degrade the environment in close proximity to Amerindian
communities while communities live with the negative consequences. The
question is "what is being done to address these ills?" The answer is
"close to little."

Instead of pursuing solutions to these problems, the government has
joined with six other United Nations affiliate states to water down a
declaration that represents the most important international instrument
for the promotion and protection of human rights for the world's
Indigenous Peoples.

From all appearances it seems that the government is bent on exercising
total control over the Amerindians as they are doing with Guyana as a
whole. No other voice matters.

The AFC asks "when will the government initiate the formation of the
Indigenous Peoples Commission?" This is a constitutional body that
should have been at work years ago. Maybe this body will take away some
of the minister's cherished powers. When will the government recognise
the National Toshaos' Council? Would it ever?

To the Indigenous community – you are one of the pillars on which
Guyana stands. You have taught us to happily coexist with the
environment and not destroy it. To live with and off resources in a
sustainable manner. Your unique rich and interesting culture is a gem
that stands out in Guyana's past and present collection. It is an
invaluable treasure that should not be destroyed or sold because it
definitely adds much worth to our dear beloved nation. We admire your
strength to face challenges and stand. We support your persistence in
articulating and pressing for the rights you rightfully deserve. The
AFC joins all Guyana to salute you and commit to support your cause
what ever it takes.

Enjoy the month, make full use of it, be yourselves because there can
be nobody like you. Have a wonderful "Amerindian Heritage Month 2007".

CRIME AND SECURITY

The AFC again calls on the government for a more inclusive approach to
crime fighting in Guyana and condemns the do-it-alone and old-fashioned
approach, which is obviously not resulting in success. Too many people
are dying, being raped, robbed and plundered in Guyana unnecessarily.

The AFC believes that the Police Force has sufficient equipment and
man-power to do the job; what it lacks is a precise and achievable
mandate from the government of the day.

It is obvious that the PPP/C administration has not grasped the
significance of having an approach which recognizes the socio-economic,
socio-political, and globalised nature of 21st century crime. The old
text book approach will not provide results because the criminals
waging battle against the state, its laws and institutions have made
the engagement an asymmetrical one with the state's forces being in the
disadvantage.

As called for in the Crime Action Plan, the AFC believes that a
national security strategy has to be developed and the corresponding
architecture, tactics, and logistics crafted and framed to meet it. Is
our new and emerging threat internal; is it influenced by non-state or
by state actors, is it trans-national, regional or even international?
Unless there is a more studied and intelligence-driven approach we will
be clutching at straws and will eventually drown in our own
short-sightedness and incompetence.

While the nation waits on more affirmative and decisive action from the
Ministry of Home Affairs, the party takes the opportunity to express
sympathy to the relatives of persons who lost their lives recently as a
result of marauding action. We single out for particular mention; the
wrongful and unfortunate death of Donna Herod, mother of 9, who was
fatally shot on Tuesday 4th September, 2007, as a case in point of how
ill-advised and ill-prepared ranks will continue to malfunction because
there is no overarching strategy which informs policing and national
security operations in Guyana.

Assaults in urban settings require specialist tactics being executed by
highly trained, disciplined, and specialized ranks.

The Guyana Police Force should seek to redeem itself in the court of
public opinion by beginning to conduct itself professionally. The first
step to doing so is by offering an unequivocal apology to the family of
Ms. Herod, and the government must give the grieving relatives monetary
compensation for the killing. This, the AFC expects, will be done
without hesitation and the usual grandstanding.

HOUSE TO HOUSE REGISTRATION & LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

As preparations for the staging of House to House registration ensue
the AFC wishes to announce that it has named Mr. Martin Cheong the
party's Chief Scrutineer. Mr. Cheong will be responsible for the
co-ordination of the party's efforts in the fields and elsewhere. Mr.
Cheong may be contacted at the party's headquarters.

The AFC wishes to place on record its concern with the sloth of the
process of the House to House registration. We note that the government
is now of the opinion that the National Assembly must give its sanction
and approval for the new process. It is perplexing, to say the least,
that the government which has the benefit of the best advice available
is now becoming aware of this legal requirement.

None the less, the AFC will support any electoral reform legislation
which seeks to improve the electoral system of Guyana and therefore
urges the government to circulate the draft Bill for approval well in
advance of Parliament's re-convening in October 2007.