Amerindian Heritage Month 2017 was launched on September 1. It is listed among the nation’s calendar of activities intended to honour the indigenous people – the Amerindians.
Sydney Allicock
The theme being embraced this year is “Guyana’s first peoples; sustaining a rich cultural environment”.
The Amerindian people have not only proven themselves worthy of recognition during this month long celebration since they have increasingly taking up place in the highest policy making decision realm – the National Assembly.
To appoint multiple individuals from among our first people to service in such high office might have been a deliberate move by President Granger to prove that taking our nation forward requires their keen input too.
Among those outstanding Amerindians in high office is Mr. Sydney Allicock who is not only the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs but a Vice President as well. The Minister within his Ministry is yet another Amerindian, Ms. Valerie Garrido-Lowe.
And then there is Minister Dawn Hastings who moved from being Minister within the Ministry of Communities to Minister of Public Affairs within the Ministry of the Presidency.
Dawn Hastings
But the Amerindian Minister, and Minister in general, who will probably go down in the annals of history as the most reshuffled Minister is Dr. George Norton.
Dr. George Norton
An ophthalmologist by profession, Dr. Norton was first named Senior Minister of Public Health when the ruling administration took office, then Minister of Social Cohesion and then added to that he was entrusted with responsibility for Youth, Sports and Culture all in this very year.
However, it might be reshuffles such as those experienced by Dr. Norton that suggests the versatility and humble nature of our first people who are always willing to help with nation building wherever and however they can.
With this in mind we at Guyana Inc. Magazine wish our Amerindian Brothers and Sisters a productive Amerindian Heritage Month.