Hinds stresses govt's commitment to developing Amerindian communities

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Hinds stresses govt's commitment to developing Amerindian communities
Stabroek News
Tuesday, September 4th 2007

Government is committed to developing Amerindian communities and will,
through its policies, "ensure non-discrimination, equitable treatment,
[and] matching opportunities," Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said at the
traditional opening ceremony of Amerindian Heritage month on Saturday.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Hinds,
performing the duties of President, told guests at the Umana Yana that
in keeping with government's policies, communities such as St
Cuthbert's Mission have benefited under a special component of the
Unserved Areas Electrification Programme, an Amerindian ministry was
established to address and equalise disadvantages suffered by
Indigenous peoples and the New Amerindian Act, which allows more rights
to their lands and resources and the granting of legal titles for
Amerindian communities, was passed.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues in her address said
the ministry has planned a roster of activities for the month-long
celebration, which are being hosted under the theme "Together let us
all celebrate our Amerindian Heritage." These include Heritage Village
celebrations at Mainstay/Whyaka in Region Two, where the residents are
on September 10, expected to share their achievements, challenges and
plans with the rest of the country. Rodrigues said heritage month
activities allow Indigenous persons to meet and celebrate more than 500
years of survival.

This year's activities include an exhibition and sale from Sunday to
Saturday at the Umana Yana; educational tours for Region Seven students
from September 10-14; a hinterland scholarship students forum next
Saturday at the Umana Yana followed by a day of sports at the Carifesta
Sports Club Ground and the Amerindian Heritage Pageant on September 29
at the National Cultural Centre. A church service was also hosted at
the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam on Sunday.

GINA said former president Janet Jagan, Presidential Adviser on
Gover-nance Gail Teixeira, Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr
Desrey Fox, Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Housing
Harry Narine Nawbatt, former minister of Amerindian affairs Vibert De
Souza and Presidential Adviser on the Environment Navin Chanderpal, the
PNCR's Dr George Norton, Mainstay Village Toshao Yvonne Pearson and
members of the diplomatic corps also attended the opening.