MOAA’s Float captures 2nd place at Mashramani Celebrations

- Float signifies protection of forests.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs romped off with the Second-Place Award as Best Float for the Small Category during the Mashramani Float Parade in celebration of Guyana’s 40th Republic Anniversary on February 23, this year. Mashramani is an Amerindian word meaning celebration after hard work.

The celebrations saw 50 revelers from the Ministry marching down the streets of Georgetown making their way into the National Park, Georgetown as the joined thousands of participants from Government Ministries and Agencies, and the private sector.

The Float depicted climate change and its effects on the environment with the theme “The Forest Must Stay.” This was in keeping with the Low Carbon Development strategy (LCDS).

The float signifies the unwavering support of the Ministry to the LCDS with its theme advocating the message that if there is no forest, there will be no breathable air and ultimately, the end of life. It is the Ministry’s strong statement on the urgent need to preserve our forest and therefore mitigate the effects of Climate Change.

In front of the Float the world is visible and attached to it, a nose and leaves signifying the need for the world to breathe better with the preservation of the rain forest. On the left of the costume there was an illustration of global warming with the rapid melting of ice bergs by the rays of the sun depicted on the right side of the costume. This was an indication that world is getting hotter.

The forest depicted at the back of the float stands behind three shields which symbolize protection of the forests.

The costumes of the revelers represented a spectacular outfit utilizing the fusion of various materials, glitters and sequins. These were all pieced together by hand amid a kaleidoscope of colours fused together by sheer genius and creativity.

The costumes were designed by well known designer Derek Moore.

This years’ Mashramani was celebrated under the theme “Embracing our Diversity, Celebrating our Heritage.”

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Minister Pauline Sukhai hands over tractor, other equipment to Region 9

Georgetown, GINA, February 24, 2010

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, today handed over the key to a John Deere tractor to Rudolph Roberts, Toshao of Yupukari, Region Nine. A trailer and plough were also handed over.


Yupukari’s three satellite villages; Kaicumbay, Quatata and Fly-Hill, will benefit from the equipment and machinery.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai noted that the equipment and machinery will assist in transportation, which is needed for marketing of produce and in the event of emergencies, the shuttling of both services and goods to and from the communities.

 Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall hands over key to the tractor to Toshao of Yupukari, Rudolph Roberts.

The tractor is valued at $6.7 M; trailer- $1.5 M and plough- $725,000.

Minister Sukhai stated that a large sum was injected into the village and expressed the hope that the villagers would realise their aspirations with respect to their community’s development and agricultural production.

The Minister advised that the villagers work-out a schedule by which all communities will benefit. The schedule should cater for maintenance and cost recovery.
Roberts thanked President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister Sukhai for their loyalty and determination towards Yupukari as the villagers would use the machinery for large scale agricultural practices, marketing of goods and other beneficial means.

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MOAA embarks on aggressive Birth Certificates Registration

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs began its aggressive campaign for the issuance of birth certificates by sending a team to the villages in Region 8 from February 3-7, 2010. As part of a national outreach to have Amerindians registered, the six day outreach was conducted by the Ministry. Consultations with Villagers were also done for the development of Community Plans.

Project Officers, Shameza David and Julie Sookram and Social Workers, Sharon Henry and Juliet Kissoon from the Ministry conducted the outreach to the North Pakaraimas areas. A total of 372 persons had their birth registered.

 

MOAA Project Officer, Shameza David discussing CDPs with residents of Monkey Mountain, region 8.

Registrations were done in the communities of Paramakatoi, Bamboo Creek, Tuseneng and Monkey Mountain. The Community Development Officers and Toshaos of the Villages facilitated the process. Birth certificate forms were filled out in the Regions to ensure that all required information are recorded, thus minimizing the chances of Certificates being returned for errors.

The Ministry has been working closely with the General Registry Office (GRO) on the issue. Follow up will be done with the GRO to ensure that the birth certificates are returned to the communities within a month.

Guyana has a population of about 70,000 Amerindians who live mostly in Hinterland Regions of the country. The issues of birth certificates have been proving to be quite a challenge as many Amerindians do not have birth certificates.

 

MOAA Social Worker, Sharon Henry registering residents at Paramakatoi for Birth Certificate, Region Eight.

The registration process is aimed at helping to fast track the process and to ensure that every Amerindian has a birth certificate. The issue of birth certificate registration of Amerindians is among the main agenda of the Ministry for this year.

Consultations with Villagers in Paramaktoi and Monkey Mountain regarding their Community Development Plans were also conducted during the visit.

All the Regions will be visited with 2 visits per Region. The next outreach is slated to commence on February 17-21, 2010 in Sub-Region 2, Region Eight. Communities to be visited include Micobie, Tumatumari, Campbell Town, Chenapau, Princeville and Karisparau.

Community Development Plans (CDPs)

During these outreach activities, the development of Community Development Plans will be discussed with the Toshaos, Village Councillors and Villagers. CDPs serve as a guideline for Village development.

Amerindian communities are mandated by the Amerindian Act, 2006 to develop and implement CDPs. The Amerindian Affairs Ministry will be working closely with the Villages in this regard. Areas covered in the CDPs include, among others, the villages’ natural environment management plan, resources, economic development plans, social infrastructure and legislation.

Community development planning and birth certificate registration will be pursued simultaneously.

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Yakarinta Village, Receives Tractor, Trailer From MOAA

Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2010

Villagers of Yakarinta, Region Nine will now be able to expand their agricultural production and upgrade the work carried out in the community (sub-divided into three areas) with the new tractor and trailer which the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs donated today to Toshao Matthew Alexander.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai stated that Government continues to promote productive activity in the hinterland as it relates to Amerindian development and with the new machinery, the villagers will be able to expand their agricultural development.

Minister Sukhai urged that the village council ensures that the equipment is maintained and cared for since it will benefit three communities and will have to be shared among the villagers for the overall benefit of the Amerindian people.

Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall hands over keys to the tractor/ trailer to Toshao of Yakarinta, Matthew Alexander.

During the hand-over ceremony, Toshao of the village, Matthew Alexander and Village Councillor, Callistos Buckley explained that the tractor will be used to carry out a number of functions to aid in the development of the village.

Toshao Alexander thanked the Government and Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for their role in assisting the village to progress and assured that the villagers will maintain the machine so that it could effectively assist them in carrying out their plans.

He added that during the National Toshaos Conference in 2009, it was raised that his village was in dire need of these equipment and he was happy to know that the request was met by Government.

The tractor costs approximately $6.7 million while the eight-tonne steel trailer costs $1.5 million.

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