-PPP, APNU+AFC grilled on records in office
Six of the political parties contesting the March 2nd general and regional elections last Wednesday sought to assure indigenous leaders that they would seek to protect their interests amidst concerns over what was seen as the “encroachment” of protected areas on traditional lands.
At a non-partisan candidates forum, hosted at the Regency Suites by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and the National Toshaos Council (NTC), the representatives of the governing A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) and the main opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) spoke about what their respective political parties have done for the indigenous peoples in the past, while being accused by the new contestants of recycling past promises.
Mervyn Williams and Gail Teixeira represented the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C, respectively, while the other participants were Rondha-Ann Lam, the presidential candidate of the Citizenship Initiative (TCI); Ralph Ramkarran, presidential candidate of A New and United Guyana (ANUG); Daniel Kanhai, member of The New Movement (TNM); and Nigel Hinds, representative of Change Guyana (CG).
Seven of the political parties contesting the elections indicated their interest in attending the event but only the representatives of the six parties showed up to the event.
Presidential candidate of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Lenox Shuman had indicated his interest in joining the discussion but was not present at the event. However, he sent a statement apologising for his absence. In the statement that was read at the event, Shuman, who previously served on the NTC, explained that he was on the campaign trail “talking, listening and learning first hand from the people” about the issues they are facing.
“I have spoken, many times and therefore you know my position on the fact that our people are the most disenfranchised and have been for centuries… what is needed is real investment in education, quality health care with river health centers, resolutions of land titles to completions, real respect with indigenous languages as the primary teaching mechanism and real action, Building roads to communities, water plants and more airstrips,” he said in his statement.
After the statement was read to the forum, each party was given a chance to highlight some of their plans for the indigenous peoples. Teixeira and Williams both spoke about what their parties have done while in government.
Williams also stated that if re-elected, the coalition will ensure there is a technical institute and sixth-form class in every region. He also named some of the projects that the government has completed during its term in office. Teixeira, meanwhile, highlighted plans in the PPP/C manifesto that will benefit the indigenous people including constitutional reform, upgrading of roads, resumption of the solar-for-each-home projects and expanding housing projects. She noted that political and legislative issues had hindered the PPP/C from addressing land titling issues.
Responding to her last statement, Kanhai, stated that that he had done his research and had not seen anything concrete regarding her excuses. TNM, he added, would ensure that the Indigenous Peoples get their land. “You’re the people that own these lands and you’re the people that have the right to these lands,” he declared. Further, he said that his party has observed that indigenous peoples have not been treated as a priority and his party aims to change that by making Guyana into a diverse economy. He said their party will not only address land titling issues but cultural issues as well. He stated that indigenous culture needs to be preserved and showcased. Additionally, he said there are various minerals that can be mined and manufactured on indigenous lands. He stated that TNM would bring companies and place them in hinterland areas that are rich in those minerals and as a result provide jobs for the indigenous peoples. Another part of his party’s focus, he said, is education and TNM would ensure that more scholarships are made available for indigenous peoples.
For her part, Lam said that TCI’s plans for the indigenous peoples are outlined in its manifesto. However, she noted that TCI wanted to ensure that indigenous rights are protected so any hurdles that would prevent indigenous peoples from entering parliament will be removed. In addition, she said, TCI would ensure that indigenous language, environment and culture are preserved. She said they will also address land titling issues. She said that TCI will ensure that the indigenous have the ability to protect their land. However, she said, the most important issue that will be addressed is the indigenous peoples right to self-determination. “It is critical to tell you that we are not here to dictate to you, we are here as a partner,” she stated.
After Lam completed her presentation, Hinds stated that CG does not look at the ethnicity of a person but recognises the role the indigenous peoples have played in Guyana and it is important for the party that their language and culture be respected. He said that Change Guyana is committed to keep doing good and keep its promises to the people of Guyana. He said the manifestos of the two leading parties have repeatedly promised to address issues but to date they have not done so. However, he said Change Guyana has noted the many issues that have plagued indigenous communities and would do its best to address those issues.
Meanwhile, Ramkarran stated that ANUG will not win the elections but will nevertheless attain power by gaining a few seats. He said that once his party accomplishes their goal they will be in a position to do all the things that the two major parties have promised and have not yet fulfilled. He said that although he cannot speak for the indigenous peoples, he understands that they need the same things that people on the coast need, including jobs and proper access to utilities and education.
In addition, Ramkarran said his party is offering the possibility of an indigenous president under its proposed reformed governance system. He said that they are offering a system where there is a small executive or cabinet of five persons with two main political parties serving equally, with the possibility of a third having a member. He said that the main parties will be required to have a mix of the Guyanese community. In conclusion, he said that the way to stop corruption in the country is to have a government of national unity.
Protected areas
After the parties made their presentations, members of the APA, NTC and non-governmental organisations were given a chance to ask questions.
When asked by an executive member of the APA, Laura George, if the PPP/C would proceed with the revision of the 2006 Amerindian Act if elected, even though it has stated that it has no intentions of revising that Act, Teixeira said the PPP/C has repeatedly stated that it will update the Amerindian Act after consultations with the Amerindian communities. She said that the party is in support of changes to the Act as long as consultations are thoroughly done.
George subsequently directed a question at Williams, asking how the coalition intends to make the Amerindian Act a priority after March 2nd. Williams stated that it was regrettable that the revision process could not have commenced as early as they could have but the process is well underway. The process, he added, will continue and six months after David Granger is reelected president, they are expected to have a document to present to the nation.
Chairman of the NTC Nicholas Fredericks took the opportunity to inform the parties’ representatives that he along with the Toshao of Sandcreek received a letter earlier that day informing them that their applications for land extensions were not granted because the extension overlaps into protected areas even though they were previously promised by facilitators that the demarcated areas would not affect their land extension applications. “Those lands and mountains are our sacred sites, they are our former villages and they are areas that we depend on and now they are being taken away from us in the name of conservation when we ourselves are the best conservationists,” he said, before asking all the parties representatives what would be done if indigenous leaders asked for a land extension into a protected area.
In response, Ramkarran said that it is an issue that needs to be dealt with in an Amerindian Act and that should be raised at consultations. “I understand the need for protected areas and I’m sure the Amerindians understand the need for protected areas,” he stated.
Williams said that he believes that the consultations that they have embarked upon can provide answers and solutions to many issues, including mining issues. In addition, he said the legislative change can also provide answers and solutions to those issues.
Hinds stated that Amerindian people have been disrespected by the political parties that have been ruling the country for over 50 years. He said that it is wrong to put the protected areas above the land rights of the indigenous people. He added that Guyana has a history of broken promises that needs to change.
Lam said that TCI has been pushing for a permanent advisor from the NTC to the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and for the indigenous caucus to be a part of decision-making processes.
Kanhai stated that he agrees that the Amerindian should be protectors of the land and that he supports the strategies of TCI.
Teixeira stated that the protected areas legislation is open to revision and change, based on situations and people have to lobby for government to change.
At the conclusion of the event, president of the APA, Lemmel Benson Thomas, said he observed that there is a need for the indigenous people to educate politicians. He said their understanding and definition of development is different from his understanding as an indigenous person. “When you define development from an indigenous perspective, then you get it. Indigenous peoples are different. There are similarities between all Guyanese but when you look at them they are unique and to bring real development to indigenous peoples, you have to have a different thinking and different approaches,” he stated. He added that indigenous peoples can educate the politicians at such forums, so that their manifestos can reflect issues from the Amerindians themselves.
He added that the new political candidates seem to have fresh ideas, while the two major parties were linked to the past experiences. He thanked all the parties’ representatives for their participations before telling the audience that their decision on March 2nd is their decision and neither the APA nor the NTC will demand that they vote for a specific party.
“Your responsibility now is to go through what you heard and make a choice on March 2nd and if the party [that you] voted for wins, do not blame them, blame yourself,” he concluded.
After the event, Benson told Stabroek News that although the event was a success, it would have been better if all of the Presidential Candidates were present so they could hear from them. When asked if he was satisfied with responses of the political parties representatives, he responded, “Most of the questions and some answers were to some extent, good, but in few instances they didn’t give a direct answer because they were prepared to address specific indigenous issues but if they had known what we were planning on asking they would have been prepared. They gave general statements but were not specific to what we were looking for.”
The APA and NTC also used the occasion to present a list of their concerns to the parties and land titling and revision of the Amerindian Act were key areas. It has also been suggested that District Councils should be recognised and their participation in indigenous peoples’ affairs must be increased. The representatives of the political parties were not given a chance to respond to the requests, although during the forum one of the candidates raised concerns about un-elected councils being given the powers of elected bodies without input from villagers.
