Dear Editor,
I wish to congratulate all my Amerindian brothers and sisters on the occasion of Amerindian Heritage Month which is celebrated in the month of September. This is an opportune time to reflect on the contributions made by Amerindians to the growth and development of our country.
To say that Amerindians have contributed to the economic, cultural and political life of Guyana would be an understatement. They are our first people. All the other ethnic groups came and met them and together a society was forged. We are a much more diverse and richer society for our Indigenous peoples.
It is not without some significance that September is also designated Education Month. Indeed, there is a strong and dialectical relationship between education and Amerindian development.
There can be no doubt that Amerindians are today much more empowered than in past years and are now in a much better position to make informed choices on the way forward.
Amerindians are also playing a much more proactive role in the decision-making processes at the national and sectoral levels. This was greatly facilitated by the previous PPP/C administration which for the first time in our history established a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which was headed by the late Vibert DeSouza. Several pieces of legislation were also enacted to give Amerindians greater access to their resources in particular land titling.
Amerindians are now the fastest growing segment of our population according to the most recent population census report, thanks to enhanced access to health care and better access to education delivery. The physical landscape is also changing and there is much better transportation and communication infrastructure between the coast and hinterland areas.
Much more, however, remains to be done to bridge the developmental gap between the coastal and hinterland communities. This continues to be a major challenge for policymakers. With oil money looming on the horizon and the political will to expend significantly more resources to Amerindian development, the prospects of a brighter future can become a reality.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
