Held under the theme “Astute Leadership for Amerindian Development,” newly elected Toshaos hailed the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference 2024 as a success, but more importantly, a springboard for meaningful talks that foster development.
This year, the conference took place from August 19th to 23rd at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) and saw participation from village leaders and representatives of over 240 Indigenous communities.
The National Toshaos Council, established by law under the Amerindian Act No. 6 of 2006, meets annually. It comprises Toshaos from whom an Executive Committee is elected to serve. This committee consists of 10 Toshaos representing the 10 Administrative Regions, along with 10 additional Toshaos.
The NTC is dedicated to representing all Indigenous peoples. It is tasked with developing strategies and plans to aid in the development of Indigenous communities, villages, and districts through participatory decision-making processes. This supports the nation’s commitment to the rights of Indigenous peoples under Guyana’s constitution.
The conference provides Amerindian leaders with a platform to raise issues and challenges affecting their communities directly with the President and government ministers.
In a live broadcast via NCN at the conclusion of the conference on Friday, August 23, 2024, Toshao Henry Hendricks of Mashabo Village in Region Two shared that attending the conference for the first time was an opportunity for him to learn and engage in interactive sessions with Cabinet ministers about issues impacting his community.
“I brought some of the most challenging problems affecting the community so that we could find out how to minimize these issues and understand where we could receive assistance from the government,” he said.
Hendricks noted that Mashabo, which has around 460 residents, received funding from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030. With previous funds, they built a multipurpose facility, established a picnic park, and created other infrastructure, leading to employment opportunities for the village’s youth.
“With the new grant we will be receiving, we hope to develop the community further and generate revenue, for example, by renting out the multipurpose facility for events,” he added.
Another village leader, Daniel Aguilar of Maruranau Village in Region Nine, described the conference as highly informative. Listening to key policymakers allowed him and other Toshaos to address areas where “things were not going well, such as road development and washouts, and discuss how these issues could be corrected.”
Aguilar highlighted the transformative development his community has experienced over the years. He expressed gratitude for a new secondary school planned for his village. This school will benefit Maruranau as well as neighboring communities like Awarewaunau and Shea.
“Education is very important, and we see it as a priority within our district,” he commented.
With approximately $24 million in LCDS funds, Aguilar plans to hold a general meeting with the community to propose new projects that could be funded.
Toshao Laurence Vandenburg, who oversees the communities of Orealla and Siparuta, described attending the conference for the first time as a tremendous learning opportunity. Orealla is home to over 1,200 residents, while Siparuta has approximately 400 residents.
Discussing projects in his community, Vandenburg mentioned improvements in healthcare, including a concrete road to the hospital, an IT Hub, and plans for a pharmacy at the hospital. Like Maruranau, Orealla will soon have a secondary school in the village.
With LCDS funding, Vandenburg outlined plans to purchase assets, including building a cargo boat and a speedboat, and acquiring a new generator, as their current one is inoperative. “We are also looking to build a guest house to accommodate the influx of tourists, as well as a multipurpose building,” he added.
At the opening ceremony of the conference on August 19, Toshaos elected a new 20-member Executive Committee to serve on the NTC for the next three years. The committee includes re-elected Chairman Toshao Derrick John; Toshao Sonia Latchman of Bethany Village, re-elected as Vice Chairperson; Toshao Shane Cornelius of Karrau, who will serve as Secretary; and Toshao Alvoro Simon of St. Cuthbert’s Mission, who will serve as Treasurer.
In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, President Irfaan Ali announced that under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, the share of total revenues from the sale of the country’s forest carbon allocated to Amerindian communities has increased from 15% to 26.5% this year. This increase will see approximately $4.8 billion directly disbursed to Indigenous communities.
Additionally, each Amerindian village will receive $1 million from the government this year to enhance sports activities and initiatives within their communities.
