$36 MILLION to boost Indigenous languages in 2019.
DPI, Guyana, Monday, December 3, 2018
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valarie Garrido-Lowe stated that Indigenous Communities within the Hinterland regions will be allotted $36 Million to promote their nine Indigenous Languages, through the collaboration with the United Nations Indigenous Peoples Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
The Minister made this announcement during her address to the National Assembly’s first Budget Debate on Monday. She stated that 2019, will be designated, “The Year of Indigenous Languages.”
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valarie Garrido-Lowe during budget 2019 debates.
According to Minister Garrido-Lowe, the project will provide villages with the opportunities to take part in the United Nations call for an International year of Indigenous Languages, which is slated to take off in 2019.
According to release from the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, among activities proposed throughout the year are a Language Revival Programme, Village Welcome Signboards to be erected at the entrance of each village in their respective language, Radio and Television programmes, a Children’s Book, a Tourist Hand Book, a Short Story competition, debates in four languages (Patamona, Akawaio, Wapishana and Makushi) at the Umana Yana, an Indigenous Food festival, a Calendar of Nations 2019 and establishing an Indigenous Summer School.
Ayana George.
Image: Jameel Mohamed.