| – Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry By Sunita SamarooThe effects of major industries like mining and logging on Amerindian communities, as well as the holdingMinister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicockof Toshao elections, are areas that will soon be given focus, according to the leaders in the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.Shortly after being sworn into office at the Ministry of Presidency, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister within that Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe,Cheap Air Max Shoes For Sale, told this publication that they intend to engage various stakeholders to develop holistic strategies to address concerns they have for the indigenous peoples.Minister Allicock said that among the top priorities would be the holding of Toshao elections which was earlier this year postponed for reasons related to the holding of Regional and General Elections on May 11.“That would be big at this point,” he said, as he emphasised the need for such elections.Asked about having to face heavily-politicized Toshao councils, Allicock said, “Well again it depends on the people themselves. We have had very little legal advice given to our people and that is what is causing this problem: the lack of adequate education on our rights, a lot of people don’t know these things.”Allicock said he intends to develop a legal section, to help the people to understand “what is right from what is wrong; what is good for us: our rights. If you know our rights it would be better for us to move forward.”The Minister also spoke of tourism, agriculture, and the promotion of handicraft made by villagers as areas of focus. A part of the culture of the indigenous peoples is their craft and Allicock envisages that the selling of their handwork will be a foreign exchange earner.Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-LoweHe intends to promote more community-based farming “where families could be closely-knit.” He said at present many men leave the villages and sometimes do not return.Speaking on the effect of mining on Amerindian communities, Allicock said “It is something that is very worrying.” At the time of the interview, he said he was unaware of the “arrangements before” but pledged to review them.“We have to revisit and then we have to have dialogue with both sides to hopefully come up with a solution that would be satisfying to both parties,” the Minister said.He emphasised the need to properly educate his people.“Look what is happening: malaria, other sicknesses, diseases, broken families, drug addiction…all these things are happening,” Allicock said, adding that through his tenure there will be concerted efforts between his Ministry and others like the Ministry of Public Health as well as Communities.“We need to embark upon a real constructive educational programme for our interior people.”Meanwhile, Alliance for Change Executive Member, Valerie Garrido-Lowe also spoke on the need to educate the indigenous peoples. “The indigenous way of life has to be maintained while we’re going forward as a modern society,” she said.Also of concern to Lowe is the effect of mining and logging on the indigenous peoples. She too spoke of engaging other Ministries and stakeholders, like the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association , the Forestry Commission and other organisations that directly affect indigenous communities.Garrido-Lowe expressed confidence that meaningful dialogue could be had between the entities to ensure that they could “all benefit.”Asked about incidence of sexual violence in mining locations and the approach the ministry would take, Garrido-Lowe said that conversation is necessary. In fact, she was confident that there would be a turnaround in this area, since internationally-recognised crusader against Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Simona Broomes, is part of the recently formed, Ministry of Social Protection.Garrido-Lowe expressed concern over alleged incidents that are occurring in a few areas where primarily indigenous peoples reside. She said during the campaign period, the reports provided to her by the APNU+AFC ‘foot soldiers’ from certain areas were nothing short of disturbing.Alcohol consumption by minors and suicide rates are among things she plans on tackling through concerted efforts.“In that village alone, it’s a social mess. It’s terrible,” said the recently appointed Minister as she told Kaieteur News of incidents in a particular Region One community.The Minister pledged too to make visits to these areas during her tenure to assess the situation.“Young girls go in the mining camps and it’s a practice and I can only imagine what happens there,” Garrido-Lowe added. Continuing, she said, “So we have to step up on security, and the miners…we have to meet them and put some limitations in place with regards to interaction in Amerindian communities. They have to respect the Amerindians, not use them.”As far as monitoring is concerned, Garrido-Lowe intends to engage stakeholders to approach the situation holistically. Logging and mining, she said, are being done in the hinterland “and when you’re making decisions you know you have to at least contact these organisations and that is why we have to have long discussions to see how everyone can exist.” |
