The Alliance for Change (AFC) said Amerindian Heritage Month should be used to reflect on the sterling contributions these persons have made in the social and economic sectors while ensuring their full involvement in national initiatives.

In a press release the party recalled “the stalwart of the First Peoples’ struggle” Stephen Campbell who championed the Indigenous Peoples right to have their voices heard, to be included in national decision-making, to chart their own course in community development, to equal access to national social services and to equal opportunities.

The party said if Campbell were here today do an assessment of the strides made since he struggled four decades ago he would sigh in disappointment as successive governments have failed to adequately address the needs of hinterland peoples. The AFC said it seems that the norm is for the reigning political group to simply give handouts to indigenous communities while ignoring the glaring social problems that bombard visitors on arrival to these areas. “Beautiful schools are built at astronomical costs but have inadequate teachers, hospitals in areas like Kamarang in Region Seven, Port Kaituma and Moruca in Region One still after many years do not have the resources  and capacity to function as hospitals,” the release said.

Additionally, the Mazaruni River remains a testimony to water pollution caused by mining. Economic alternatives in hinterland villages are non-existent and capacity building among community leaders is wanting. The party said a one-off training session “every five years” is a poor attempt to equip indigenous leaders to deal with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission or Conservation International much less negotiate with investors in communities allowed by the Amerindian Act.
The group said it hopes that efforts are made to explain clearly the conditions outlined in the Low Carbon Development Strategy as indigenous persons are the primary stakeholders and their involvement must be free, prior and informed consent, not coercion.