Toshao Doreen Jacobis of Tapakuma Village, on the Essequibo Coast, was yesterday elected Chairperson of the Indigenous Peoples Com-mission (IPC) during a special meeting at Parliament.
According to the Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA), chairperson of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Yvonne Pearson will serve as Vice-Chair of the IPC.
At the swearing in ceremony last year for the members of the IPC, President Bharrat Jagdeo noted that the administration will work with the IPC to ensure that the Indigenous People’s rights are protected and that there is advancement of their cause.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, who chaired the proceedings yesterday, stated that the IPC, which evolved out of the Constitutional Reform Pro-cess, will provide the mechanism which will enhance the status of Indigenous People to cater for their specific demands and needs.
He also outlined functions which govern the constitutional commissions, such as the Rights of the Child Commission and the Women and Gender Equality Com-mission that have already been set up, and added that those that pertain specifically to the IPC included: to promote and protect the rights of the indigenous people; to raise awareness of the contribution and problems faced by indigenous people; to make recommendations on economic and education policies to advance the interest of indigenous people; and to promote the empowerment of indigenous people, especially with regards to the Village Coun-cils, in the Local Government System.
On September 15 last year, members of the IPC were sworn in by President Jagdeo at the Office of the President and according to GINA members of the commission represented a broad framework in Guyana’s society. Other members of the IPC are Joseph De Souza, David James, Patricia Singh, George Simon, Father Malcolm Rodrigues, Norman Whittaker, Captain Gerald Gouveia and Damian Fernandes. Also present at the swearing in ceremony yesterday were representatives of the Committee of Appoint-ments and several Members of Parliament, including Gail Teixeira, Dr George Norton, Sheila Holder and Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy.
The IPC will be housed in the Ethnic Relations Commis-sion building on Peter Rose and Anira streets, Queens-town.
