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.