Millions more approved for revision of Amerindian Act

Parliamentarians approved an $80 million sum that will go towards the revision of the 2006 Amerindian Act, a crucial piece of legislation for Guyana’s Indigenous peoples.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was allocated $7.2 billion in this year’s $1.38 trillion National Budget. That allocation was scrutinised during a sitting of the Parliamentary Committee of Supply on Monday night.

Subject Minister Pauline Sukhai responded to numerous questions posed by her Opposition colleagues, many of which focused on the revision of the Amerindian Act.

In her responses, she noted that $80 million will help to advance this process.

And pressed about the estimated date of completion, she responded: “It’s a work in progress, we are still addressing the education and awareness component of the activity.”

She later noted that once this robust engagement is complete, the substantive consultations with all Indigenous communities will commence. That consultation process, she noted, will be extensive.

The Amerindian Act Act No. 6 of 2006 provides for the recognition and protection of the collective rights of Amerindians, the granting of land, and the promotion of good governance within their villages.

Dozens of facilitators have already been trained to assist with consultations already.

Funds for the revision exercise were approved, alongside other allocations for the ministry.