On Wednesday, the Guyana Languages Unit, hosted its inaugural Indigenous Language Awards at the University of Guyana. The first batch of graduands from the Elementary Wapichan Course were celebrated for their contributions to advancing Indigenous language education in Guyana.

The ceremony recognised learners who successfully completed the programme and highlighted ongoing efforts to preserve, promote, and revitalise Indigenous languages as an important part of Guyana’s cultural heritage.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Honourable Priya Manickchand reflected on the historical pressures many Guyanese faced to abandon aspects of their identity in favour of what was considered socially acceptable.

“So many of us have been taught to run from what is ours, to throw it behind us, to be ashamed of that which was inherent to us and to do instead what we were told is “right” and civilized and fashionable: to speak English,” the Minister said.

She recalled visiting hinterland areas listening to villagers speak proudly in their mother tongue and express a depth of emotion, history, and connection that could never be fully felt through translation alone.

Describing language as a vital part of identity, heritage, and belonging, Minister Manickchand thanked participants for embracing and preserving a part of Guyana that for many years was overlooked.

“To all of you who have joined in learning these languages, thank you for embracing this new Guyana where we can be proud of who we are,” she told participants.

Under her tenure as Minister of Education attention to delivery of education in mother tongues, 18 teachers from 13 Nursery schools in South Rupununi, graduated in a course designed for Wapichan teachers, thru UG ‘Certificate in Dual Languages/Multilingual Practice in Education. And six schools began tecaher their early childhood classes in Wapichan.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, underscored the importance of preserving Indigenous languages and cultures for future generations. She expressed hope that graduates of the programme would become champions of Indigenous language preservation, helping to ensure that these languages remain living parts of Guyanese society through their work as educators, consultants, researchers, and community advocates.

Born into the Makushi tribe, Principal Regional Development Officer at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Anil Roberts, described the preservation of Indigenous languages as a national responsibility and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working alongside Indigenous communities to ensure their languages and cultures continue to thrive.

“It is a national duty to preserve the Amerindian languages,” he said.

He emphasised that indigenous languages should be spoken, taught, celebrated, and passed on with confidence as we look to the future.

Meanwhile, Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development, Omawattie Ramdin, encouraged participants to ensure Indigenous languages continue to be spoken, taught, celebrated, and passed on with confidence to future generations.

“Language tells us who we are and where we come from,” she said, noting that language serves as a bridge between generations and helps communities maintain their identity in a rapidly changing world.

She added that languages anchor people to their history while helping to shape their future, emphasising the importance of ensuring younger generations inherit living languages rather than forgotten ones.

“Language anchors us to our history and provides directions for the future.”

The awards ceremony formed part of a growing national effort to ensure that Indigenous languages are spoken, celebrated, and passed on from one generation to the next as living expressions of Guyana’s heritage.

(MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRESS RELEASE)