A grouping comprising virtually all the major Indigenous Peoples organisations in Guyana has been formed, and it aims to be a common platform for representation of the issues and rights of Amerindians.
The formation of the Caucus of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) was announced yesterday and its 14 members are among the most active of indigenous organisations in the country with representation from all the districts where Indigenous People reside. The 15th member, the Indigenous Peoples Commission – a constitutional body – is an ex officio member.
The development is seen as significant as it brings the major indigenous groups on a common platform to represent their issues. In the past, though the organisations have largely common goals, their focus have been different and working collectively was more the exception than the rule. Some of the organisations have in the past also been shunned by the then PPP/C government while others received state support.
