Heritage month activities launched

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs yesterday launched its list of activities for this year’s Indigenous Heritage month celebrations, under the theme ‘Our Culture, Earth’s Future – Save the Environment; Live the Indigenous Way.’

Delivering the feature address at the launch at the Umana Yana, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock described this year’s theme as one that is “instructive” and which serves to highlight the role played by indigenous people in the protection of the environment, which is worth celebrating.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Sydney Allicock and Junior Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe (center) flanked by the members of the Heritage Month planning committee at the launching of Indigenous Heritage Month activities yesterday at the Umana Yana.
Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Sydney Allicock and Junior Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe (center) flanked by the members of the Heritage Month planning committee at the launching of Indigenous Heritage Month activities yesterday at the Umana Yana.

He said, “Indigenous people are better than government in preventing forests being cut,” and therefore they should be seen as the solution not a barrier. “Despite what some may say, I have always held the view that in Guyana, indigenous people have been the true and real champions of the earth. We are the keepers of the lungs of the earth,” he added. He went on to say, “Our culture, our way of life is of such great importance to the world, yet we sometimes behave as though we are ashamed of who we are, where we are, where we came from. As we celebrate heritage 2016, let us reflect on our rich culture and the importance of that culture to Guyana and the world.”

In concluding, he urged the indigenous people to work with the rest of Guyana for the development of a nation for the benefit of all Guyanese.  “Let us continue to be the keepers of the lungs of the earth and share the value that is there with other Guyanese that have come to make this wonderful country our home… Let us work as one nation, as one people to build this country by understanding our rights and taking up our rightful position to be the ones to help build this beautiful country of ours,” he added.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe urged all Guyanese to join in the celebrations and recognize the country’s first people. “As we celebrate Guyana’s Jubilee independence, the organizing committee at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, headed by Anil Roberts, has planned numerous exciting activities for the month of September. We are asking all Guyanese to join us to celebrate portions of our culture,” Garrido-Lowe said.

In keeping with tradition, the ministry will kick off the celebrations with an Inter-Faith Service at the newly reconstructed Umana Yana on August 31, followed by the ceremonial heritage launch on September 1 at the Indigenous Village, Sophia.

Other events slated for the month of September include an indigenous food and craft exhibition, a night of cultural performances, an indigenous art exhibition, educational school tours, educational lectures and a weekend of heritage sports and games.

Also on the agenda is the grand heritage celebration, which will be hosted by the indigenous people of the selected heritage village, Mainstay/Whyaka on the Essequibo Coast.

Additionally, a special day later in the month of September would be dedicated to celebrating the life and works of Guyana’s first indigenous parliamentarian Stephen Campbell and other notable persons of indigenous heritage.

To wrap up the month’s activities, the ministry will host its annual Heritage Fundraising Dinner, the proceeds of which are used to provide assistance for indigenous patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital or other patients who are in need of medical care.