The Amerindian People’s Association has taken aim at several statements made by President Irfaan Ali at the National Toshaos’ Conference, accusing the President of distorting the history of the Indigenous people in Guyana.

The APA wants to know whether the President sought to deliberately mislead Indigenous Leaders with his statements.

The organisation took issue with the President’s statement that Indigenous people only became beneficiaries of government scholarships from 1992.

According to the organisation, Indigenous People were the beneficiaries of Government scholarships long before 1992 and the organisation said it finds it “disingenuous” that the President sought to erase all the strides made by Indigenous Peoples before the PPP/C took office in 1992.

The APA said it has consistently observed increased government dominance in the National Toshaos Council Conference agenda.

Additionally, it said it continues to hear Toshaos complaining about not having access to a draft agenda prior to the conference.

“The APA saw this on Monday when Toshaos were given the agenda minutes before the afternoon session commenced and asked to adopt an agenda that only a few may have had access to and that they played no part in creating. It is clear that the NTC needs to put in place mandates and procedures free from political and other influences. These mandates and procedures should set out how the Conference should be structured and adopted by the entire NTC membership after careful review,” the APA noted.

The APA also took issue with the President’s contention that the annual Toshaos’ conference is an accomplishment of the People’s Progressive Party.

The APA said that the President’s portrayal of the history of Indigenous Peoples’ development in Guyana was incomplete and misleading.

According to the organisation, the PPP government did not initiate the first National Toshaos’ Conference when it started back in 2003.

The organisation said it supported the first conference which was held in Mainstay and has supported other conferences since then.

The APA has found itself being hammered at the ongoing conference by a number of Government officials, including the President and Vice President, who have accused the organisation of not being true representatives of the indigenous people. The APA has repeatedly called out the Government on issues related to the Amerindian people.

Related posts:

Amerindian People’s Association urges Toshaos to raise issues facing their communities without fear at National Conference President promises much more development for Indigenous communities; Questions work of Amerindian People’s Association Opposition urges Indigenous leaders to reject undermining of community concerns President recommits Government to ensuring real development in Indigenous communities