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.