With Guyana’s most crucial elections just two days away, several indigenous voices have backed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for re-election.In fact, prominent leaders and representatives, including Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, have underscored the party’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for social and economic progress.With a proven track record of transformative initiatives and unwavering dedication, the PPP/C is seen by indigenous leaders as the only credible force capable of guiding Guyana toward sustained growth and prosperity for all its citizens.UNLIMITED ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIESPermanent Representative of Guyana to the UN Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Photo: UN)Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, recently registered her unbridled support for her party’s re-election, noting that it has always fought for the inclusion of indigenous people.Citing herself as a classic example, the former Foreign Affairs Minister recalled when former President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, called her in 2001 to be on the party’s List of Candidates for the 2001 General and Regional elections. Rodrigues-Birkett noted that Jagdeo cared not about her political inexperience or qualifications. He was determined to ensure the party’s list was a conduit for advancing the role of indigenous people.“That was my introduction to what the PPP/C was really about: inclusiveness. He (Jagdeo) didn’t ask me about my past. He didn’t ask me about my qualifications. What he said was clear — we don’t have much money, but we will ensure no one is left behind, especially the hinterland,” the Permanent Representative recalled.When she became Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Rodrigues-Birkett said she found that at the University of Guyana, only 0.0006% of students were indigenous. This, she said, prompted the drive to build more secondary schools in indigenous communities so more women and men could qualify for tertiary education.Today, Rodrigues-Birkett said the number of secondary schools being built is too many to keep count. What this means, she said, is that any child can dare to dream of any vocation of choice. She said this is what separates the PPP/C from the opposition.“At this point in time, there is no other person and no other group that can lead Guyana forward,” said the Ambassador.LEAPFROG DEVELOPMENTFormer Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), Lenox Shuman, is also of the firm conviction that the PPP/C is integral to the transformation of indigenous communities, and more so, continuing the unprecedented transformation that has erupted countrywide.Lenox ShumanAccording to Shuman, in the last five years, the PPP/C has proven itself to be the only party with a plan that will spark sustainable growth across multiple sectors.“It is therefore important that the PPP/C is returned to office, not just for the sake of indigenous communities but for all Guyana,” Shuman told the News Room during an interview.The politician said the PPP/C sets itself apart from its competitors in the areas of competence, leadership and vision. He said this can be seen in the case of the outstanding work that has been done through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.“Indigenous peoples have always asked for, as the guardians of the forest, to be paid for it, for their contributions to be valued and now the PPP/C government has done that…”Shuman also lauded the LCDS as a landmark initiative which has demonstrated a profound respect for the voices of indigenous leaders, for men and women, and for their inclusion in the long-term planning of their future.He firmly believes that there is no other political party that has the experience to do that, hence he holds strong to his position that the PPP/C’s return to office is a win for the future of Guyana’s indigenous people.“We’ve laid the foundation from 2020 to 2025, now it is time for us to leapfrog development…”The former parliamentarian urged his fellow brothers and sisters to vote for the incumbent, cautioning that any other political force would only wreak havoc on the economy and on people’s lives.LEADER FOR EQUALITYRespected Indigenous leader and former Vice President Sydney AllicockReiterating his unbridled support for President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s re-election, former APNU+AFC Vice President Sydney Allicock said the last five years have been a testament to what is possible when stellar leadership is paired with genuine love for service to the country.Allicock contended that Ali’s first term has allowed for capacity building in management and entrepreneurship in indigenous communities. He said the evidence shows that the Head of State had the upliftment of indigenous peoples at the forefront of his drive for economic and social benefit to communities.“It’s now for the leaders to become more confident in themselves, for there to be better accountability of the resources given, and as long as that could happen, there is nothing stopping the communities from realising their dreams,” Allicock told the News Room.He said all indigenous leaders must understand that President Ali’s second term represents the continuation of building on the foundation of progress laid in the past five years.NONE CAN COMPAREIf one examines the track record of the PPP/C alongside that of the opposition, Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Derrick John, said it is clear that the PPP/C is unmatched in its delivery of progress. Not only has there been a significant transformation in the infrastructural development of communities, but John posited that Amerindians have been given direct access to funds, which they have leveraged for social upliftment.Chairman of the Nationl Toshaos Council (NTC) Derrick John (News Room photo)“Over the past five years, everyone can see, indigenous people have realised a better living condition with so many resources being transferred directly to their communities,” said John.The NTC Chairman added that this can be seen in the form of more schools and health facilities, and training for employment in multiple sectors.From 2015 to 2020, John said there was abject neglect of indigenous communities. He said they were seen as an afterthought, only relevant at election time.“So you have to give credit where credit is due. The PPP/C government continues to invest in indigenous communities. They invest in the future of our children,” said the NTC Chairman.John said he has seen a pace of transformation that is beyond comparison, adding that it leaves him excited about the prospects of further growth once President Ali is re-elected to office.NO LONGER LEFT BEHINDVice Chair of the National Toshaos Council, Sonia Latchman, also echoed similar sentiments shared by her Chairman, adding that the PPP/C has been “tested, approved, and trusted” by the indigenous community.”Latchman emphatically told the News Room that the PPP/C is the only party that has genuinely demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity, hence it is the only party with the largest support base from Amerindians.Sonia Latchman“They have the largest support from Amerindians, because we have tested, we have tried, and the People’s Progressive Party Civic has proven to the Amerindian people that we are equal, just as other Guyanese,” Latchman said in an interview.As Vice Chair of the NTC, Latchman said she has walked the length and breadth of Guyana and has seen over 800 projects being implemented by the various villages, thanks to funding from the LCDS 2030. She said this is evidence that indigenous peoples are no longer left behind in Guyana’s development agenda.“We are doing projects that are beneficial to us, projects that are sustainable and projects that will move our village forward. That is why we are supporting the People’s Progressive Party under the leadership of Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali,” said Latchman.She was keen to note that indigenous communities under Ali’s leadership are not only benefitting from LCDS funding but also from presidential grants, Amerindian land titling, the part-time workers initiative, the Community Service Officers Programme, massive funding to support participation in the agriculture sector and sports, and much more.“We would like to see this progress continue, and that is why, come September 1, we are going out there as indigenous peoples, with one vision, and that is to put our X next to the cup,” said Latchman.TRUE EMPOWERMENTUnder President Ali, indigenous leaders have been given significant resources to not only transform their communities, but they have also been given meaningful opportunities to partake in the decision-making process at the national level. So says NTC Secretary and Toshao of Karrau Village, Shane Cornelius.Toshao of Karrau, Shane Cornelius addressing the PPP/C’s re-election rally in Bartica (Photo: News Room/ August 9, 2025)He told the News Room that his community has seen commendable growth under the PPP/C, noting that he is especially proud that this has taken place by leaps and bounds in the education and health sectors.With respect to the former, he expressed that on Saturday, it will mark a proud moment for his community as a nursery school will be commissioned. He said a secondary school is also under construction.Under the LCDS, he said his community has benefitted from $72 million in support over the past three years.“This funding has allowed us to build a women’s centre, a food hub, and a new art and craft centre is being constructed. We also have a multi-purpose centre that’s been constructed.”As a young leader for his community, Cornelius said he is elated to see his community transform in ways that will pay dividends for generations to come, hence his unwavering support for President Ali’s re-election.REJECT “FORCE-RIPE” LEADERSFormer Chairman of the NTC, Joel Fredericks, recently registered his support for President Ali’s re-election and urged indigenous communities to reject “force-ripe” leaders who are now “popping up and peddling lies.”“We see force-ripe leaders popping up. Tell me something man, force-ripe thing good? Anything that is force ripe, good? No!Former NTC Chairman, Joel Fredericks“They are force-ripe leaders peddling lies. So be aware of the force-ripe politicians, force-ripe leaders, Fredricks said in his recent address to a massive crowd of people at a PPP/C political rally in Lethem.Fredericks also lauded the leadership of the ruling PPP/C government, noting that it is a party with experienced leaders. Under President Ali’s leadership, he said indigenous peoples have been at the forefront of unprecedented growth.To ensure that Guyana remains on track to sustainable development, he urged citizens to vote for the PPP/C, the party that has proven it is dedicated to realising the happiness and prosperity of Guyana.The post PPP/C hailed as home of largest Indigenous leadership & representation appeared first on News Room Guyana.