APNU+AFC Member of Parliament and advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples Mervyn Williams has condemned “government’s refusal to continue the process of consultation aimed at culminating in amendment[s] to the Amerindian Act.” Williams writes that the installed People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime is in “violation of the rights of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples.”
Williams in a letter to the media writes, “The formal call for the Amerindian Act to be amended was made at an open forum of the National Toshaos’ Council conference. The Indigenous leaders called on the [APNU+AFC} Government of Guyana [to] take steps to have the Act strengthened to adequately preserve and protect the rights of all Indigenous Guyanese citizens. The Granger Administration responded. Consultations began.” However, after the PPP regime was installed in August 2020, the consultation process was halted by the regime. Williams writes: “the blatant refusal to honour the collective wish of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana is nothing short of disrespect for our First Peoples.”
In a direct conversation with Credible Sources, Williams explained that a list of proposed amendments is in the hands of the PPP regime. He noted, though, that since the process is incomplete, the list is also incomplete. The proposed amendments, said Williams, include the renaming of the Act itself. Williams told this publication that, “One clarion call is for the Act to be renamed, changing ‘Amerindian’ to ‘Indigenous’ and for the substitution to be done throughout the Act.” It should be noted that the APNU+AFC administration — recognising the desires of the First Peoples — had changed the name of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs immediately after taking office in May 2015.
However, the PPP regime has reverted to the previous name; a move that many view at blatantly contemptuous. The advocate said that other proposed amendments relate to, “mining, environmental issues, land and other rights. Yakarinta Village wants the National Toshaos’ Council to be called ‘National Assembly of Indigenous Peoples,’ a brand used by former president [Brigadier David] Granger.” Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples comprise some 10.5 per cent of the country’s population. Archeological evidence has concluded that Guyana’s First Peoples have lived on this land for no fewer than 12,000 years.
More, In The Ring.
