APA..Newsletter # 2
National News...South African Company Gets Reconnaissance Survey Permit in Regions 7, 8 and 9


<------The Pakaraimas part of the area under reconnaissance by Migrate Mining.

On July 15,1999, the Government of Guyana granted the South African company, Migrate Mining, a permit to conduct reconnaissance surveys over 8 million acres of land in regions 7,8 and 9. This area include lands where Patamona, Arecuna, and Akawaio villages are found.

The communities affected by this concession are outraged by the Government’s decision not to consult with them prior to the granting of this concession.

After the signing of the agreement between the company and the government, two representatives from Migrate flew in to Paramakatoi to talk with captains attending the Region 8 Area Council meeting at the time. Their main aim was to seek permission to conduct their work on community lands. They had arrived with already prepared agreements which they were hoping the village leaders would sign after a one hour meeting with them.

The communities, with one exception, Monkey Mountain, were however not prepared to sign these agreements. They knew little about the company and felt that they did not have enough information to make a decision. They requested more information from the company and said that they would also like to have their legal advisor present when meetings are taking place.

Leaders of Region 8 at meeting------------------------------------------>

Regions 7, 8 and 9 meet to discuss Migrate In light of the action taken by the Government and Migrate, some 22 captains from Regions 7, 8 and 9 came together for a meeting in Georgetown to discuss strategies to deal with this issue. This meeting was held for three days during October.

During this time the leaders held talks amongst themselves and also with Prime Minister Sam Hinds who is the Minister responsible for mining.

In the Toushaos meeting, it was noted that Amerindian communities have been waiting over 30 years to have their territory legally recognised yet within a few months Migrate was on the way to receiving a concession over a vast area of land under claim by Amerindiand

They were also disturbed over the fact that permit was granted over the Upper Mazaruni in part of the area where the communities are presently seeking the protection of the courts to ensure that Government fully recognise and respect their rights over this land. They described this as a total disrespect for the communities and the courts.

The leaders pointed out that at the signing of the agreement between the government and the company, the Minister of Amerindian Affairs claimed that he had learnt from past mistakes and that the government would be consulting with the affected communities on the deal. Up to the time however, no goverment official had contacted the communities about the agreement.

The leaders stressed that they must participate in decisions that will affect the lives of the communities and should not have decisions imposed upon them without their input. They proposed that the government meet with them to work out meaningful ways of resolving the important issue of Amerindian land rights.

Other major issues that the leaders discussed were the pollution and destruction of the environment. They referred to the world known OMAI cyanide disaster that killed large amounts of fish and which affected the lives of thousands of people. They felt that communities should not live in fear of similar spills as there are serious implications for their health and livelihood.

The leaders had learnt that Migrate was thinking of engaging in hard rock mining using cynanide once they have worked out their mining agreement with the government.

They concluded that they were tired of being ignored by the government and that the time for their land rights to be fully addressed was long over due.

They called on the government to desist from granting concessions on Amerindian lands until the question of land rights are fully resolved.

<-----Prime Minister Sam Hinds and Captains

 

Leaders meet with PM Sam Hinds to talk about Migrate

Whilst in Georgetown, the village leaders asked for, and was granted a meeting with Prime Minister Sam Hinds. There were also representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the APA, the communities’ legal advisor and the Minister of Amerindian Affairs present at this meeting.

The leaders spoke about the concerns they had earlier discussed amongst themselves and explained to the PM why the government should not make decisions without first consulting with them. They stressed the importance of securing their lands, of having a healthy environment, and of being part of the decision making process in matters that affect their lives.

The Prime Minister said that while he could not address all the issues identified, he recognised the need for a protocol that would outline procedures by which Indigenous peoples could be consulted. He also also gave the assurance that the GGMC and the EPA would investigate and stop abuses by miners in lands lawfully occupied by Amerindians.

While the Prime Minister pointed out that all Amerindian lands are excluded from the area, the leaders are not happy about this insistence as they recognise that he is only speaking about titled Amerindian lands. They feel that until government sit down with them and discuss the issue of their land rights, there will always be a misunderstanding by the government as to what is and what is not Amerindian lands.

Amongst the leaders there is the growing fear that by the time the communities acquire legal titles to their lands, all would be totally destroyed by mining and logging activities.

<--------------Leaders at press briefing in Georgetown

Leaders meet with the press

The Toushaos also held a press conference after the meeting with the PM. At the press conference they maintained that they are not opposed to development but at the same time do not consider activities such as destruction of the land and pollution of the rivers development. According to them, Amerindians have suffered a lot through activities not of their making whilst the returns and benefits to the communities are little. They maintained that they are committed to taking a firm stand on their rights to land and would ensure that they are not ignored.