Toshaos conference declared open Minister laments absence of indigenous peoples commission

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Toshaos conference declared open
Minister laments absence of indigenous peoples commission
By Gaulbert Sutherland
Stabroek News, Tuesday, October 23rd 2007

Toshaos along with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (centre) and Minister Of
Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues (black suit, next to Hinds)
posing for a photograph at the International Conference Centre,
Liliendaal yesterday. (Gaulbert Sutherland photo)

Amerindian Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues yesterday lamented that
the Indigenous People's Commission is still to be put in place and
floods, roads, unemployment and land extensions are among concerns to
be raised by village leaders at the National Toshaos Conference.

The five-day meeting being held under the theme "Building Capacity for
Good Governance" opened with 144 toshaos and senior councillors
representing various Amerindian villages and Prime Minister Samuel
Hinds, performing the functions of President, government ministers and
members of the diplomatic corps in attendance.

Welcoming the gathering at the Guyana International Conference Centre,
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Rodrigues noted that it was the first
conference held under the new Amerindian Act and stated that it was the
intention to have the activity at least once every three years to
coincide with the election of the toshaos. She recalled that the last
one was held in 2004 under circumstances that saw debates on the land
rights, among others. The minister declared that the atmosphere was now
different saying that "we have been able to move forward". She said
that since then 19 communities have been granted land titles with six
granted extensions. "Addressing land claims is now run-of-the-mill
activity", the minister asserted adding that land demarcation is up to
date and the toshaos are meeting under a "more progressive manner". She
however lamented that a goal not achieved was the establishment of the
Indigenous People's Com-mission (IPC) even though at the 2004
conference, nominees for the commission were selected. She said that
parliament lapsed on the issue noting that a two thirds vote is needed
for the establishment of not only that body but others as well. She
stated that all the political parties have to be on board and urged the
parties to find common ground on the issue.

Meanwhile, on the governance of communities the minister stated that
while some positives were seen, some "bad management" was also noted.
"We will have to take drastic measures if we find that the community is
being short-changed", she warned.

Hinds in his address, too, lamented that the IPC had not yet been
established. "What has been disappointing is that parliament has not
yet been able to complete this task", he said. He stated that progress
brings new situations; some bad, some positive and noted the concerns
expressed by hinterland residents at the loss of educated youths from
their areas. He said that it was a problem on the coastland too and in
the interior "most of those who stay in place seem to be disappointed
and seem to be unemployed". He noted concerns expressed by villagers
and urged the toshaos to discuss these when they meet with ministers
during the course of the conference.

Hinds also alluded to the "difficult question" of sub-surface rights
stating that while these are retained by the government, Amerindians
are given veto rights in small and medium-scale mining activities.
Stating that the desires of people including hinterland residents are
to have access to electricity and telecommunication services, Hinds
said that some progress had been made in the hinterland in this area.
He cited the now non-operational Moco-Moco Hydroelectricity project as
an example of this and also said that a pilot wind system at Orealla
and some solar home systems for identified villages were being
examined.

On the issue of unemployment, Hinds encouraged persons to "think where
employment comes from" stating that people had needs to be satisfied
such as food, clothing and shelter.

Stabroek News spoke with a few toshaos who stated that they were hoping
to raise some issues of concern to them at the forum. Arnold Stephens
from Karaudarnau Village in Region Nine stated that floods affect
farmers in his community resulting in shortage of cassava, a staple in
his people's diet. He said as a result there was sometimes a shortage
of farine in the community. Arnold Jonas from Tiperu, also in Region
Nine, said that the problem of roads was a concern that he hoped to
raise and he hoped that some action would result. Averl Winter from
Awarewaunau said that he hoped to bring up the subject of extension of
lands for his community while Ruben Gonsalves of Red Hill in Region One
said that he had issues of security. Another toshao told Stabroek News
that he hoped to raise the matter of unemployment noting that in his
village of Kwatamang that was the topic of concern.

Part of yesterday's activities included the toshaos being sworn in as
Justices of the Peace and Rural Constables.

During the course of the conference they will also participate in
training sessions and be involved in the formulation of draft village
regulations. The nomination of the Toshaos' representative to the
Indigenous People's Commis-sion is also slated to be done as well as
the election of executives to the National Toshaos Council. The
conference concludes on Friday.