A master’s degree student in water governance and water management, Romario Hastings is eager to banish the stereotypes and preconceptions surrounding Indigenous People and intentionally adopted the Akawaio name, ‘Kapohn’, once he became culturally aware of his identity.
The 29-year-old who is also a digital creator and youth advocate, and uses the name for his social media handles, said: “I believe we are more than just a display of culture. There are so many things to learn from us, if we seek out these things with a researcher’s mindset and develop a deeper meaning to some of what may be considered simple. During my undergraduate studies, I did some courses in social movements and advocacy. I did an internship with the Amerindian Peoples Association on youth advocacy and policy because as Indigenous Peoples we are desperate for advocacy as much as we pursue our careers in engineering, medicine, in the political field or whatever area it is.”
Hastings, who was in Aishalton wrapping up his fieldwork for his master’s degree thesis on water management, when Stabroek Weekend caught up with him, said, “I have been fortunate to experience life in the hinterland, in the city and now internationally as a student at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. I have narrowed my focus to water governance and water management and policy-related matters with my profile on ecosystems health and water resources.” He would like to obtain a doctorate eventually.
