Indigenous Peoples body suggests changes to Amerindian Act

As calls for the revision of the Amerindian Act of 2006 continue to be made, the Guyanese Organization of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP) has also weighed in on with its suggestions regarding what the necessary amendments should be.

According to a recent press statement issued by the organization, several suggestions for the amendment of the Amerindian Act of 2006 were discussed at its 17th General Assembly which was held on July 31 at Wakapoa Village in Region Two.

Among them are what the organization called “misnomers” within the Act. These include the phrase “grant of land title” and the use of the word “Amerindian” in the title of the legislation.

The organization contends that an amendment should be made as to reflect “the return” of land to the Indigenous People while “1st Guyanese” should replace Amerindian in the title.

Additionally, GOIP said that there should be supplementary laws as well as effective law enforcement in place to offer more legal support to those that already exist within the 2006 Act, specifically those relating to trafficking in persons since indigenous women are “prime victims.”

Further, the organization moved to condemn plans by the government to have the Walter Roth Museum relocated. Such movement, it said, could negatively affect many precious, ancient pre-Columbus artifacts stored at its present location.

Also highlighted in the statement, were the new appointments made in the organization’s executive body. Colin Klaukty has been replaced by Mary Valenzuela as Chairperson of the organization.

Others elected to what was described as the “female dominated” executive were Esther Robinson as Secretary, Phyl Osorio as Treasurer, Colin Klaukty as Public Relations Officer together with Natasha David, Lyn Roberts RN, Ann Payne, Claudette Fleming, Brian Chu, Victor Lawless and Seaford Fredricks as Committee members.

GOIP reaffirmed its commitment to its continued advocacy for land rights, the development of a green economy, self-empowerment, and basic human dignity for Guyana’s first peoples, some of which have been achieved since the organisation’s resuscitation almost three decades ago.