Toshaos conference for July 22 to 26 

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, May 9, 2019

The 2019 National Toshaos Conference (NTC) that brings together toshaos and other Indigenous village leaders from over 212 hinterland villages across Guyana, will be held from July 22-26. The 13th annual conference will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal.

This was announced by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, who explained that the conference is an important forum that allows village leaders to have engagements with the president and ministers, and officials from various government agencies.

At a meeting at Parabara Village, Deep South Rupununi, Region 9, Minister Allicock urged that village councils begin to engage their people and address issues that need urgent attention.

“We need to resolve serious issues, for instance, your land and development projects. Come with real issues,” Minister Allicock emphasised.

The conference is aimed at consolidating and expanding the national development and transformation processes to cater to the needs of Indigenous people. It will also address issues such as land titles and demarcations, education, health, security and infrastructure.

The event will be coordinated and hosted by the NTC with support from the government through the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry.

Synieka Thorne.

Image: Anil Seelall.