National Toshaos Council

22/05/2026

The 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 of the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 convened its first Statutory Meeting for 2026, under the leadership of 𝗡𝗧𝗖 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 from May 18 to 21, 2026. This allowed the Executive Body to review the Council’s ongoing work, strengthen partnerships, and advance strategic priorities for the development of Indigenous communities across Guyana.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 focused on the implementation of the 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗩𝗦𝗣) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, the 𝗔𝗗𝗙 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁, and ongoing collaboration with the 𝗚𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁. The meeting also provided an important platform for discussions with partners and stakeholders on opportunities for greater collaboration in support of Indigenous Peoples and sustainable community development.

Throughout the week, the NTC engaged with several organizations and agencies, including 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗮, 𝗚𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗟𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁, 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿-𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸, 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻, the 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗚𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. The Executive Body also held engagements with 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘄𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻 and continued consultations with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Discussions centered on several key areas for future collaboration, including 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. These priorities reflect the NTC’s continued commitment to ensuring that Indigenous communities remain active participants in Guyana’s development while adapting to evolving national and international priorities.

The NTC extends sincere gratitude to all partners and stakeholders who continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples across Guyana. Special thanks are also extended to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs for her humility, openness, and continued support of the work of the NTC.

Low Carbon Development Strategy
Ministry of Amerindian Affairs
Conservation International Guyana
COICA ORG
Amerindian Peoples Association (APA)
Guyana Tourism Authority
The Consultancy Group

13/05/2026

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 | 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗢𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗢𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗟

The Indigenous Peoples of Guyana stand firmly and unequivocally in support of Guyana’s case before the International Court of Justice and the Government of Guyana’s unwavering defense of our nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and internationally recognized borders.

For Indigenous communities, this matter is not abstract diplomacy or distant politics. The Essequibo is our ancestral home. It is the land of our foreparents, the source of our identity, culture, livelihoods, and spirituality. Our communities continue to contribute to the social, cultural, and sustainable development of this important part of Guyana.

We therefore support Guyana’s position that the controversy should be resolved in accordance with international law and through the processes established by the International Court of Justice. The completion of the oral hearings marks an important step in the pursuit of a final and peaceful resolution grounded in respect for the rule of law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

We commend the Government of Guyana and its legal representatives for the professionalism, preparation, and dignity demonstrated throughout the proceedings. We also recognize the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and mutual respect among nations, while safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Indigenous Peoples across Guyana remain united in defense of our homeland. We call on the international community to continue standing on the side of peace, justice, sovereignty, and the rule of law. We also call on all Guyanese to remain united, vigilant, and resolute during this historic moment for our nation.

Guyana’s sovereignty is not negotiable.
Our ancestral lands are not for debate.
The Essequibo is, and will always remain, part of Guyana.

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐍. 𝐌𝐎𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐋 𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐀𝐋𝐋, 𝐒.𝐂, 𝐌.𝐏 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐘 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒

𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐎𝐅 𝐆𝐔𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐀

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐄

MAY 11, 2026

The oral hearings in Guyana’s case against Venezuela before the International Court of Justice, the world’s highest international judicial tribunal, concluded this afternoon. Both Guyana and Venezuela presented their arguments in two rounds of oral pleadings between May 4 and May 11. The Court will now deliberate on the matters before it and, in the coming months, will issue its final Judgment on the merits of the case, which will be legally binding on both parties.

The very fact that this case reached the ICJ, and that the written and oral phases of the proceedings were carried out to their completions, represent a triumph for the rule of law and the rules-based international order. Disputes between States must be resolved peacefully, finally and in conformity with international law. They must not be allowed to fester indefinitely. They must never be resolved by threat or use of military force.

Guyana has pledged repeatedly, including at these oral hearings, that it will abide by the Court’s Judgment, whatever it may be. Guyana is confident – in fact, after these oral hearings ,Guyana is more confident than ever -- that the Court will uphold the legal validity of the unanimous Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899, that established the international boundary between then British Guiana and Venezuela, and will confirm that it is the final, definitive and permanent lawful boundary between Guyana and Venezuela.

Guyana is very proud of the presentations it made in these hearings, on Monday, May 4 and Friday, May 8. It believes that its arguments were compelling and convincing, and that they showed the lack of merit in Venezuela’s arguments both on the facts and on the law. Guyana is grateful to its representatives in these proceedings, whom I have the privilege of leading, including the Honourable Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Mr. Carl Greenidge, our Agent. Guyana commends and extends its deepest gratitude to its all-star international legal team headed by Mr. Paul Reichler (U.S.), Professor Philippe Sands (U.K) and Professor Alain Pellet (France), among other distinguished advocates.

The Court’s final Judgment will bring to an end, the controversy that arose in 1962, when Venezuela, for the first time, challenged the lawfulness of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the international boundary it established, after accepting, respecting and complying with the Award and the boundary, without protest for 63 years. The oral hearings established that Venezuela made this very belated protest precisely at the time Guyana was nearing its independence, British troops would be departing, and Venezuela would have a significant military advantage with which to press its antiquated claim to nearly three-quarters of Guyana’s territory, the very claim that the tribunal of five pre-eminent arbitrators rejected in 1899.

Before departing Guyana, in 1966, the British negotiated an agreement with Venezuela to assure that its challenge to the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award would be resolved peacefully. The Geneva Agreement of 1966, to which Guyana became a party upon its independence that year, provided first for a four-year period of bilateral negotiations to resolve this dispute. These negotiations were unsuccessful. In the circumstances, the Geneva Agreement further provided, first that the Secretary General of the United Nations would choose the proper means of final settlement of the controversy, with the power to choose new means if the prior means that he selected failed to achieve such a settlement. After more than 50 years passed without a settlement, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decided, in January 2018, that the controversy should be settled by the International Court of Justice. His decision was binding on the two parties.

Guyana then initiated the proceedings at the ICJ in March 2018. Venezuela responded by challenging the Court’s jurisdiction. After receiving the arguments of the two parties, the Court issued a Judgment in December 2020, in which it ruled that it had jurisdiction to determine the legal validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, as well as the international boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. The case then proceeded to the merits phase, which included the presentation of written briefs, and ultimately the oral hearings which concluded today.

We will await the Court’s final Judgment on the Merits with patience, decorum, dignity and optimism. We will continue to address Venezuela in a spirit of peace, cooperation and friendship, and as sovereign equals. We will respect Venezuela’s sovereignty, as we have always done, and insist that Venezuela refrain from trespassing on, or threatening, Guyana’s sovereignty.

We have heard the statements of Venezuela’s representatives at these hearings, including today, that they do not accept the ICJ’s jurisdiction and will not abide by its rulings. This would be a breach of its most solemn obligations under the United Nations Charter, the Charter of the Organization of American States, and general international law. It will not be allowed by the international community of States to defy the most fundamental rules of international law, which demand a world order based on the rule of law. No doubt, that rules-based order is being tested now. Therefore, it is more important than ever, that it be preserved and strengthened.

It is our fervent hope that Venezuela’s expression of disrespect for the Court, and for international law, reflects the emotions that often accompany litigation of this kind. We hope, that after the passions recede, and responsible government officials reflect, they will conclude, as we have done, that both States are best served by an end to this longstanding conflict, and that the only way to secure a just and lasting peace, and an enduring friendship, is by respect for and compliance with, the Court’s final Judgment, whatever it may be.

THE END

12/05/2026

The 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 (𝗡𝗧𝗖) continues to stand firm in its mission: “𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯-𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘶𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘢’𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.”

This mission strongly connects with the goals of the 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗩𝗦𝗣) Project, which helps villages plan for a sustainable future through community participation and long-term development.

During the VSP workshops, 𝗡𝗧𝗖 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 help participants better understand how the work of the NTC supports the VSP process. Recently, 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗧𝗖 for the 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁, 𝗧𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝘀, joined the first session of the 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 VSP Workshop. He spoke with participants about the history, functions, and composition of the NTC, and explained the Council’s role in supporting village-led development through the VSP initiative.

By working together, sharing knowledge, and encouraging participatory decision-making, the NTC continues to strengthen Indigenous leadership and support sustainable development in communities across Guyana.

29/04/2026

The 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 (𝗡𝗧𝗖) has successfully completed another week of the 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗩𝗦𝗣) 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 in Kato, Region 8.

Through the VSP Project, the NTC is empowering Indigenous communities across Guyana by training local facilitators to lead the development of 10-year sustainable village plans.

By building local capacity, promoting knowledge exchange in local languages, and reinforcing Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), these trainings ensure that communities are equipped to shape their own inclusive and resilient futures.

We encourage more communities to connect with the NTC and be part of this transformative journey.

22/04/2026

Are you, or someone you know, a final year UG student in Agriculture and Forestry or Earth and Environmental Sciences? Apply now for this opportunity to support the National Toshaos Council in their work supporting Guyana's forestry sector.

25/03/2026

𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴!

The 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 (𝗡𝗧𝗖) is looking for qualified consultants or firms to support the development of 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 (𝗩𝗦𝗣𝘀) in Indigenous communities across Guyana.

🔍 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗼
Lead community-based planning workshops
Work directly with villages to identify development priorities
Prepare high-quality Village Sustainability Plans
Manage field activities, logistics, and reporting

🎓 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿
✔ Experience working with Indigenous communities
✔ Strong facilitation and communication skills
✔ Knowledge of participatory planning & FPIC
✔ Ability to manage teams and deliver results on time
✔ Relevant degree or equivalent experience
✔ Compliant with Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS)
✔ Possess a valid Business Registration or Articles of Incorporation

⏳ 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: April – August 2026 (5 months)
📩 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 8th, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼: 📧 [email protected]
📍 Or 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼: National Exhibition Centre, Sophia
🌐 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗙𝗣 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://ntcgy.com/resources/

📢 Be part of shaping sustainable futures for Indigenous villages in Guyana!

05/02/2026

The NTC,as a member of the National Implementation Working Group of the EUFLEGT VPA, is happy to participate through our Secretary Toshao Shane Cornelius.

31/01/2026

𝐍𝐓𝐂 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞-𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
The National Toshaos Council (NTC), representing the collective voice of Indigenous villages across Guyana, welcomes Budget 2026, presented under the theme “Putting People First.”
This Budget reflects a clear and deliberate commitment by the Government of Guyana to inclusive national development, with particular emphasis on hinterland communities and the most vulnerable groups in our society
Budget 2026 demonstrates a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by hinterland and riverain communities and responds with targeted investments aimed at improving quality of life, expanding opportunity, and strengthening community resilience. The continued prioritization of Amerindian and hinterland development, as outlined in the sectoral plans, is commendable in the context for the rights, dignity, and aspirations of Indigenous peoples.
The NTC particularly welcomes the sustained allocation of resources for critical infrastructure in hinterland regions, including roads, ground and river transport, electricity expansion, water supply, health facilities, and schools. These investments are transformational, as they directly address geographic isolation, improve access to essential services, and open pathways for economic participation and community-led development.
Equally significant are the strong social programmes embedded in Budget 2026, which provide tangible support to households in hinterland and rural Guyana. Measures such as the expanded Because We Care cash grant, increased old-age pension, public assistance, newborn grants, and continued cash transfers place real resources in the hands of families, easing cost-of-living pressures and strengthening social protection for children, elders, and vulnerable persons
The NTC also notes with approval the continued investment in education and skills training, including technical and vocational opportunities, which are essential for empowering hinterland youth and ensuring that Indigenous communities can fully participate in Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.
Over the past five years, hinterland and Amerindian communities have experienced measurable and unprecedented improvements as a direct result of deliberate government policy and sustained public investment, laying a solid foundation for long-term development.
Budget 2026 signals a clear intent to ensure the continuation of national prosperity that translates into meaningful improvements at the village level.
The NTC therefore stands in support of this Budget and reaffirms its commitment to working collaboratively with the Government of Guyana to ensure effective implementation, accountability, and the continued advancement of hinterland and Amerindian communities as an integral part of Guyana’s development journey.

28/01/2026

📍 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 🌱

The National Toshaos Council (NTC) is currently hosting a Village Sustainability Planning (VSP) Training in collaboration with the 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀.

The goal of this initiative is to strengthen the capacity of Ministry staff: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗖𝗗𝗢𝘀) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗠𝗗𝗢𝘀) and NTC's Executive Members, enabling them to better support villages as they plan for a sustainable and resilient future.

The training focuses on 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 training:
▪️ Understanding the aim of the Sustainable Villages Framework and its benefits to Indigenous villages
▪️ Exploring how local-level planning connects to regional and national development planning
▪️ Providing a comprehensive overview of the entire VSP process

The NTC looks forward to continued collaboration with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in advancing sustainable development for Indigenous communities.