Government’s nomination of Toshao Xavier to serve on a UN forum should be appreciated by all the Amerindian communities of Guyana

Dear Editor,

The Government of Guyana by its actions is committed to the recognition and development of the indigenous peoples of our country. The nomination of Bertie Xavier, the senior Councillor of Wowetta Village in the north Rupununi, Region 9, to serve on the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is one such governmental action which must be recognised and appreciated by all the Amerindian communities of Guyana, as well as Amerindian non-governmental organisations which represent the rights and interests of Guyana’s indigenous peoples.

The Government of Guyana certainly needs to be saluted for its significant and remarkable intervention where a Toshao of a hinterland village was nominated and elected to serve at the level of the United Nations, and in particular on the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Toshao Bertie Xavier is to be congratulated, and is assured of The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana’s (TAAMOG) support and cooperation when called upon in the execution of his duties to advance the cause of the world’s indigenous peoples and in particular the indigenous peoples of Guyana. TAAMOG has full confidence in his articulation and skill to engage in constructive discourse at the UN level where the rights and interests of the world’s indigenous peoples are concerned. He will provide the kind of advocacy to chart a realistic course forward to improve the status of the world’s indigenous peoples.

Yours faithfully,
Peter Persaud