Leader of the PNCR, David Granger has issued a call to the government to empower indigenous people by improving physical infrastructure.
In particular, Granger wants the PPP/C administration to make the Lethem to Linden highway a reality so as to improve opportunities for indigenous communities and bridge the hinterland-coastland divide, according to a PNCR press release yesterday.
Meanwhile, he had also urged the nation to join the indigenous people of Guyana in celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day which was observed yesterday under the theme “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices”.
The PNCR, the release stated, endorsed this year’s theme which highlighted “the importance of indigenous media in challenging stereotypes, forging indigenous peoples’ identities, communicating with the outside world and influencing the social and political agenda.”
Brigadier (ret’d) Granger also called on the government to establish indigenous media, especially in the Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Potaro-Siparuni and Rupununi regions.
“Such media could improve the access of the indigenous peoples to information through community radio and television stations, newspapers, internet and social media. These media would also reflect indigenous values and erase myths and misconceptions,” he posited according to the release.
In the meantime, the opposition party promised to continue working to promote mutual respect and intercultural understanding as preconditions for a society without poverty and prejudice and as the bases for providing a good life for all Guyanese.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People – observed annually on 9th August – was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (1995-2004).
The General Assembly in 2004 had proclaimed a Second International Decade, from 2005-2015 with the theme of ‘A Decade for Action and Dignity’, the release added.
