Amerindian Affairs Ministry commissions murals for Heritage Month

AMERINDIAN Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai on October 6, 2012 commissioned the mural paintings done by the hinterland scholarship students on the fence of the ministry’s headquarters at Quamina and Thomas Streets.

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai (right) handing over the booklet to the Deputy Representative of UNICEF, Mr. Abheet Solomon (left)

This mural painting exercise was conducted on the 22nd and 23rd, September, as part of Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations under the theme ‘Embracing our Identity, Celebrating our Culture.’

Minister Sukhai said those murals depict the voice of the children; and through them, the children were able to express, in their own way, their translation of the theme for that month.

When you look at the murals, it is the artistic expression of the children, and they showed the Guyanese nation how they perceive the heritage of the Indigenous people,” she said.
The minister added that the paintings also express the children’s connection with the environment. She expressed appreciation to the children for their participation in this year’s heritage celebrations.

“We usually have the children participating by reciting poems, singing and dancing; but this year was unique. This is the first year we have done this activity within Heritage Month,” Minister Sukhai explained.

Minister Sukhai and Mr. Abheet Solomon unveiling the plaque signifying that the murals have been commissioned

She committed to making this activity an annual one on the Heritage Month calendar, and urged that other public buildings come on board with this initiative, in order to give children the opportunity to relate to Guyana and the world on how they interpret Amerindian culture.

The minister presented to several of the ministry’s partners -- including the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) -- a small booklet containing pictures of the mural paintings. She also unveiled a plaque signifying the commissioning of the mural paintings.

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Amerindian heritage celebrated in Tapacuma and Mainstay

Mainstay -residents urged to be part of village development

Georgetown, GINA, September 30, 2012

The Villages of Tapacuma and Mainstay, Region # 2 hosted their Heritage Village celebrations on September 30, in commemoration of Amerindian Heritage Month 2012. The celebrations were observed under the month’s theme “Embracing our identity, celebrating our culture.”

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Region Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaud were in attendance. Minister Sukhai in making remarks at the celebrations called on the residents to support their council for the village’s development and urged the participation of youths in Village administration and governance.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai addresses the attendees at Heritage celebration in Tapacuma, Region # 2

She advised the residents to contribute and participate in their Village’s development. “It is all of you who have to get up and stop looking at each other to do or solve our issues and we have to get down to the task of building our villages,” she stated.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud with some residents at the Heritage celebration in Tapacuma

At the Tapacuma Celebration, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai assists in presenting Arte Austin with a token for his outstanding contribution to the community

The importance of the theme was emphasized to the residents. The theme calls for Amerindians to recognise who they are and to celebrate and practice their culture, Minister Sukhai posited.

Residents at the Heritage celebration in Tapacuma

Minister Sukhai commended the effort to promote Amerindian, making reference to the growth of the celebrations and the participation that it has attracted from those residing outside hinterland villages over the years.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and Region Two Chairman Parmanand are greeted on arrival at Mainstay

The growth of the celebration is due to the fact that more Amerindians are embracing their identity and celebrating their culture. At both villages the Regional Chairman spoke of development in the villages and assured of the regional administration’s and the government’s commitment to furthering their development.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud and Mainstay Toshao, Joel Fredricks enjoy Heritage celebration

In Mainstay, he committed to rehabilitating the stretch of road leading into the village from Anna Regina in the near future.

During the formal ceremony in both villages, several residents were bestowed tokens of appreciation for their valued contribution to village life and development.

Former Toshao of Mainstay Yvonne Pearson is given a token of appreciation for her service to the community

Aside from the cultural presentation, the day was also filled with the usual revelry and heritage games and competitions.

Capoey also had its heritage celebration on September 30, 2012.

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Paruima village honours pioneers in heritage celebration

Georgetown, GINA, October 1, 2012

Amerindian Heritage celebrations were brought to a close in several villages on September 30, 2012, including the Mainstay and Tapacuma, Region 2, and Paruima, Region # 7, the latter reportedly being the only Arecuna- speaking village in Guyana.

Paruima village, in their heritage activity honoured the pioneers of the community with the unveiling of a monument. The fenced monument has a rock from the near-by mountain range and has a plaque embedded with the names of the pioneers – Chambers, Percy, Henrito and McNaughton.

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Permanent Secretary – Nigel Dharamlall and the daughter of Chambers one of the honorees who is over 100 years old. Alongside them is the monument to Paruima village pioneers.

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Permanent Secretary – Nigel Dharamlall and Principal Regional Development Officer, Deon Johnson attended the celebrations.

Amerindian Heritage Month 2012 was celebrated under the theme “Celebrating our Culture, Embracing our Identity.”

With regards to the latter part of the theme PS, Dharamlall noted that there are several reasons why Amerindians and other Guyanese should embrace their identity; “they are a proud people, they are Guyana’s first people and they are the hardest working.”

Residents gathered at Paruima’s bandstand to witness the heritage celebration.

He added that the culture should always be celebrated because like other people around the world, the Amerindians have not changed their language to fit into society. He added that much has been achieved to foster individual and village development and their traditions have not been altered.

Dharamlall emphasised that Amerindians are not a second class people, premising his statement on examples such as there are 33 Amerindian doctors with an additional one returning from Cuba shortly, and 80 youth are receiving secondary education at President’s College.

The Permanent Secretary highlighted Amerindians serving in leadership positions including Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodriques-Birkett and the late Dr. Desrey Fox.

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Permanent Secretary – Nigel Dharamlall viewing the village produces on display.

Following the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ sports day, which was part of heritage celebrations, one of the female footballers from Paruima is being considered for a spot on the national female football team. The Football Federation has also indicated its interest in organising next year’s Heritage Football Tournament.

Dharamlall indicated that the tractor and trailer that were promised to the village are in Georgetown awaiting transport to the village.

Residents partaking of indigenous food prepared for the occasion.

With regards to honouring the village’s pioneers, Johnson noted that apart from their efforts towards pushing developing at the level of the community, the efforts of Steven Campbell, the first Amerindian Parliamentarian and the late former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan should also be recognised.

Paruima’s football team receiving footballs and cones from Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Permanent Secretary – Nigel Dharamlall and Principal Regional Development Officer, Deon Johnson.

Johnson also acknowledged developmental initiatives facilitated through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs such as the Community Development Plans (CDP), the solar electrification and water programmes. He encouraged the community to continue promoting their culture.

The heritage celebration also included presentation of cultural items, sports and a display of the village’s produce and food common to the area.

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