'Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing'
-- Minister DeSouza warns Amerindians of pressure groups

by Terrence Esseboom
Guyana Chronicle
June 15, 1999


BEWARE of wolves in sheep's clothing," was the message left Village Captains and Councillors at the end of a two-day caucus organised by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry last week.

Keynote speaker, Minister Vibert DeSouza, who holds that portfolio, told the gathering of indigenous leaders that pressure groups are emerging within their communities and are attempting to usurp their legal functions.

"...brothers and sisters...beware of wolves in sheep's clothing bearing you gifts," DeSouza told participants at the formality held at Santa Mission, Kamuni Creek in the Demerara River.

DeSouza denounced the recent conference for Amerindian leaders organised by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) held at Zarewa (St Ignatius) in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

He complained that while he was invited "...to attend the closing ceremony," of the formality, foreign delegates "came here and presented papers on issues such as `Indigenous basic Human Rights', `Indigenous land issues' `Traditional and Ancestral Rights' `International Indigenous Laws'".

He spoke of "pressure groups" among Amerindians which seek to usurp the legal functions of the elected officials in indigenous communities, and counselled the leaders to be on the look out for "wolves in sheep's clothing bearing you gifts".

Referring to the four-day Zarewa conference, Minister DeSouza marvelled at the signing of the peace treaty among the nine local tribes.

At the May formality, 70 Captains and Councillors ratified the historic peace pact, which they said would prohibit, forever, bloody battles among Akawaios, Arawaks, Arekunas, Caribs, Makushis, Patamonas, Wai Wais, Wapishianas and Warraus.

The explanation is that the indigenous leaders are concerned about statements attributed to a Government Parliamentarian that the nine tribes are "still at war".

"I did not know we are having tribal conflict in our country to have signed a peace treaty," DeSouza stated.

The Makushis and the Wapishianas were embroiled in the last known conflict among Amerindians near Mount Siriri in the South Rupununi several decades ago.

Casualties were recorded on both sides.

In his speech, DeSouza called on Amerindians to defend the country's delicate democracy.

Commenting on the now seven-week old strike called by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Federation of Unions of Government Employees (FUGE) to press their claim for a 40 per cent wage hike for public sector workers, DeSouza criticised them for inhibiting the administration's national development thrust.

As a consequence of the actions by striking workers, the country's 55,000-odd indigenous population cannot isolate itself and be non-committal, DeSouza warned but must be prepared to "defend democracy at all cost".

He said too, that Amerindians should collectively condemn the GPSU and FUGE for the current upheaval in the City.

"Stability is needed to push national development...and the full involvement of Amerindians is also required," the Minister observed.

The theme of the conference was "Amerindian Development: The Way Forward", and participants were drawn from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

A presentation on the roles and functions of Captains and Councillors, a discussion paper by a representative of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), and cultural presentations, were featured during the exercise.

The participants also discussed issues of financial management and administration of their Village Councils.

During his keynote statement, Minister DeSouza launched a scathing attack on the recent Touchaus conference at Zarewa, (St Ignatius) in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) which was organised by the APA, one of three main indigenous groupings.

Defending the seven-year record of the Government, DeSouza argued that it has brought the nation from "total collapse...to a country on the rise".

"In every sector, there is tangible evidence of improvement in health, education, transport, and social, cultural and economic development."

He reiterated the Government's policy of accelerated development in all indigenous communities, and its commitment to ensuring the restoration of various aspects of their culture.

"...of course the Government wants to do more but with the limited resources, it can only do a little at a time," he told them.

Funding for schemes for development in indigenous communities is available through the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and also from the Japanese Government.

Touching on the controversial land demarcation venture, Minister De Souza reminded the leaders that at two Amerang Conferences they had asked that the boundaries of their territories be settled.

Since the exercise started, some villagers have complained about lack of consultation by the Government's task force established to undertake the demarcation scheme.

Under this year's $40M project, the survey will only be carried out in those areas where the Captains agree for it to be done, DeSouza assured.

"We will not do anything in Amerindian villages if the people do not want that."

When the demarcation programme is finished, the Government-appointed task force will work on villages without titles, and others which asked for extensions of their boundaries, the Minister said.

The Government team, which included Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Vice Chairman Mr Ramenauth, Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) officials, Ms Michelle Kellman, Kamini Balram, Mr Luvindra Sukhraj and Mr Chris Turnbull, was met by Santa Mission Captain Mr Clive Patterson.

Patterson was elated that, for the first time, his village was chosen to host a conference of that significance.


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