Sunday, September 28, 2008

Indigenous affairs meeting ends with pact on pushing state programmes

The first three-day Regional Meeting of Government Authorities on Indigenous Affairs of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) concluded on Friday with a multilateral agreement that includes the acceleration of state programmes to address indigenous issues.

The meeting considered public policies relating to indigenous people in order to identify priorities to be addressed for the 1.5 million indigenous people living in the Basin, including 420 different tribes living in isolation and initial contact. The agenda will be released in detail tomorrow.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai reported that the deliberations were very harmonious and reached a consensus. “In relation to land and territories, a renewed commitment was made and I am sure that the delegates have actually been exposed to the experiences of all the other countries, including Guyana which has made very significant success in addressing Amerindian lands in our country,” Sukhai was quoted as saying. She was speaking at a post-meeting session at the International Convention Centre on Friday night. Also present at the session were delegates from other ACTO member states Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.

GINA said the meeting also examined the status of efforts to address indigenous issues in each participating country and a commitment was given to move forward in hastening that process.

The meeting was facilitated by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and several state agencies, including the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission and the Guyana Forestry Commission, whose representatives made up the Guyana delegation.

ACTO is an international organization that promotes sustainable development of the Amazon Basin. It was created by the signatories to the 1978 Amazon Cooperation Treaty for the promotion of harmonious development of the Basin. In addition to delegates from member states participation also came from the Amazonian Parliament (PARLAMAZ), the Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) and the Associacion De Universidades Amazonicas (UNAMAZ).


Article Source: Stabroek News

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Amerindian Heritage Day to be celebrated in Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago (UCTP Taino News) - Amerindian Heritage Day will be commemorated this year in Trinidad and Tobago with a week long commemoration from October 13-19, 2008. Taking place in the town of Arima, the program will include ceremonies, lectures, and special cultural presentations hosted by the Santa Rosa Carib Community. Indigenous delegations from around the Caribbean region are set to attend the events, which will include a meeting of the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples (C0IP). “We are looking forward to attending this important regional meeting and continuing to work in solidarity with our relatives keeping our future generations in our hearts and minds” stated Roberto Borrero, a representative of the United Confederation of Taino People. Indigenous delegates from Guyana, Dominica, Suriname, Belize, Saint Vincent, Puerto Rico, and other countries are expected to attend.

UCTPTN 09.21.2008

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Indigenous people in Guyana encouraged to recognise development during Amerindian Heritage Month

By Kevin Lindon
Caribbean Net News Guyana Correspondent Email:
kevin@caribbeannetnews.com

GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Ministry of Amerindians Affairs in Guyana on Monday launched the annual celebrations of Amerindian Heritage Month, which is being observed under the theme “Inspiring our nation to move forward in Unity”.

See full story at UCTP Taino News