NTC willing to work with govt to address challenges -NTC Chairman Joel Fredericks

DPI, GUYANA, Monday, August 21, 2017

The National Toshao Council (NTC) Chairman, Joel Frederick said that the indigenous body is open to discussions with the government on the way forward. Fredericks addressing the opening of the National Toshao Conference 2017 at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Turkeyen, said “…. There are just a few of the issues …, but we are willing to discuss a way forward with the government,” On Monday.

Fredericks called on the government to support institutions such as the Human Rights Commission and the Indigenous Peoples Commission are designed to address the issues that affect the indigenous people.

Despite concerns on how the administration has addressed issues faced by the indigenous peoples in the past.

“Let us work together instead of this back and forth. As one Minister always say, “Attack the issues and not the personalities,” Fredericks said.

In addition to working together to address land issues, the Chairman also urged collaboration towards legal reform to achieve “what is right for the indigenous peoples and what is greatest and best for the Nation.”

“Work towards the revision of the Amerindian Act and all the various acts that affect the Indigenous Peoples and Nation,” he urged, adding, “We will make this commitment to work together and all of our Toshaos and communities are with me on this…We are willing to work together to build this nation,” he said.

During his address, the NTC Chairman also expressed his sincere gratitude to His Excellency President David Granger in granting the indigenous body a plot of land to establish a Secretariat.

“I would say that it is a great step forward for our People, Guyana’s First Peoples, and our nation,” Fredericks said, adding that the NTC, is anticipating the commitment made by the President to fund the construction of the Secretariat.

By: Crystal Stoll

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