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Annual observance in honour of Guyana's indigenous peoples
Amerindian Heritage Month
is an annual observance that is held every September in
Guyana
in honour of Guyana's
indigenous peoples
.
[1]
History
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Amerindian Heritage Month has its beginnings in
Amerindian
commemorations of 10 September 1957 - the day on which
Stephen Campbell
became Guyana's first Amerindian
Member of Parliament
.
[2]
[3]
On 10 September 1995, Guyana's Prime Minister,
Cheddi Jagan
, officially designated September as Amerindian Heritage Month.
[4]
[5]
In memory of Campbell's achievement, 10 September is still celebrated as "Heritage Day".
[6]
Events and festivities
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The official opening of Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations takes place at the
Umana Yana
on the first day of September. Every year a 'Heritage Village' is selected, which becomes the focus of festivities, particularly on 10 September.
[3]
Previous Heritage Villages include: Micobie (2012),
Aishalton
(2011), Sophia (2010),
Orealla
(2009), and
Santa Aratak
(2008).
[5]
[7]
[8]
[9]
References
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