COP30 delegation of the Amerindian Peoples Association (Guyana)

Translation available: Spanish

About

The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) is a non-governmental Indigenous Peoples organization in Guyana. Membership of the APA is made up of units throughout the country, currently amounting to close to eighty such units. 

The overall objective of the APA is to promote the social, economic, political and cultural development of Amerindian communities in solidarity with each other and to promote and defend their rights. APA’s goals are to: 

• Secure legislative and policy changes to protect Indigenous rights in all instances; 

• Promote representation of Indigenous Peoples by Indigenous Peoples themselves; 

• Provide information to Indigenous communities about their rights under national and international law; 

• Promote the sustainable use of the natural resources by Indigenous Peoples;

• Ensure  the protection of the environment; 

• Secure participation in development activities and decision-making processes that affect the lives of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana;  and, 

• Ensure that the state fulfils its obligations.  

APA is the only Indigenous Peoples Organisation (IPO) in the Caribbean with UNFCCC Observer Status that advocates for the protection of Indigenous Peoples rights in national and international laws and policies. 

With this in mind, the APA wants to utilise its status as an UNFCCC Observer IPO, its network with regional, and local Indigenous groups, and its years of experience in human rights advocacy to elevate the voices of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples to promote their land tenure at the COP30 in Belem.

The APA has long challenged the sale of carbon credits from Indigenous territories by the Government of Guyana on the grounds that Indigenous Peoples land rights have been violated, including the right to free, prior and informed consent and because the decision-making power of the Village Councils have been disregarded.

At COP 30, amongst other things, APA aims to:

• Call for the strengthening of domestic processes that recognise the rights of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples’ rights to their lands, territories, and resources;
• Ensure climate policy reflects the demands of Indigenous Peoples;   
• Leverage its relationship with regional partners to promote a unified Amazonian strategy at COP30 and future Climate Change conferences through the The Answer Is Us campaign with the G9.
• Track new global developments relating to carbon markets, and ensure Indigenous Peoples human rights are protected in such mechanisms.

APA has eleven delegates attending COP 30, this includes members from four District Councils.

Sheldon Peters hails from the Indigenous Community of Waramuri in the northwestern region of Guyana. He currently serves as a Policy Officer at the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) and plays a crucial role in promoting Indigenous governance throughout Guyana. Peters is passionate about serving the betterment of his peoples as he works to connect communities together through understanding their rights and agencies. 

Felecia Valenzuela is a Policy Officer with the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA).  Her life in both Guyana’s hinterland, and urban spaces has deepened her connection to her Indigenous heritage as she uses her various platforms to promote Indigenous cultures, and experiences to the wider public. She is committed to the preservation, protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Guyana as she believes that education is key to undoing historic injustices. 

Mark Joseph is representing the Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC), a body comprising eight Indigenous communities in the Upper Mazaruni territory, in his capacity as Vice Chair. He is also the current Toshao of his village, Phillipai. Toshao Joseph comes from a territory where his peoples were engaged in a 23+ years court battle to gain recognition of their territory. In 2023, Guyana’s Chief Justice handed down the historic decision, recognising that the Akawaio and Arekuna peoples of the Upper Mazaruni holds communal title to the territory. Toshao Joseph is part of legacy of Indigenous leaders who continue to push for the full recognition of their collective territory by the State. 

Edward McGarrell hails from the Patamona Nation and is Toshao of his community of Chenapou, which is near the Kaieteur Falls. Toshao McGarrell’s community has been at the forefront of the fight against the unilateral expansion of protected areas into Indigenous traditional and customary lands. He is fluent in his native language and also speaks English and Guyanese Creole. He is representing the North Pakaraimas District Council (NPDC), which comprises over 21 communities. 

To schedule interviews, please reach out to Lakhram Bhagirat, the Communications and Visibility Officer, at [email protected] or +5926905760