In commemoration of Indigenous Heritage Month 2020, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has organised an online video competition to highlight the resilience shown by Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples during the COVID-19 pandemic.
APA’s Communications and Visibility Officer Mariah Lall said the competition was launched on September 4th under the theme, “Indigenous Peoples: Resilience that Inspires,” in keeping with this year’s theme for International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which was celebrated on August 9th.
She said the competition, which is opened to amateur Indigenous filmmakers/videographers residing in Guyana, seeks to highlight resilience shown by Indigenous Peoples in communities that have been impacted by the pandemic nationwide.
The deadline for submission was September 25th, and the announcement of winners is scheduled for September 30th, 2020. The videos will be shared on the organisation’s Facebook page and YouTube channel over the next few weeks.
Participants had to submit a 2 to 3min video showing the resilience of Indigenous peoples in combating the virus and safeguarding themselves or their communities. Videos could show the use of proven traditional medicines in strengthening immune systems; awareness efforts undertaken in communities; volunteerism; the efforts of village councils in safeguarding communities; increased farming; gatekeeping; learning from home; or safeguarding elders.
Entrants were also encouraged to submit videos in indigenous languages but with English subtitles.
Lall noted that the videos approved by APA’s judges will be used as COVID-19 awareness resources in other Indigenous communities facing challenges associated with the pandemic. To encourage participation, cash prizes for first to third place will be made available. First prize will be $20,000, second prize $15,000 and third prize will be $10,000.
In addition, she said, additional prizes will also be available for the best submission made by a female, and youngest participant of the competition as well as the people’s choice award for the video with the most Facebook likes. These prizes will be $5,000 each.
This competition is one of several activities organized by the APA for Indigenous Heritage Month 2020. “Our other activities include “Ina maimu yetatokon,” which is Patamona for “Listen to our Voices,” and the title for our Friday lunchtime live streamed programme where Indigenous peoples both from the APA and invited guest participants can share their experiences and perspectives as Indigenous Peoples in Guyana,” Lall disclosed while adding that they have been working on sharing with the public the short videos that are produced by APA’s Youth Media Interns under the RFUS/NORAD funded Youth-led media programme.
