Minister Rodrigues-Birkett receives hero’s award in Moruca

Monday, 12 September 2011

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett is accustomed to open arm welcomes when arriving at her native village, Moruca. But she will forever remember September 10, 2011, when she received a hero’s award. Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett, at right, with, from left, Agnes Daniels, Vibert De Souza and Basil Rodrigues, with their awards. Seventeen highly acclaimed Morucans, 13 of whom are deceased, were declared Heroes of Moruca on Saturday when the village hosted Heroes Day in a show of loyalty to their villagers, in keeping with Amerindian Heritage activities. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, along with former Minister of Amerindian Affairs Vibert De Souza, and veteran teachers Agnes Bridget Daniels, and Basil Rodrigues were honoured with the unveiling of a monument with their names inscribed on it. Several villagers, young and old, including Chairman of Region One, Fermin Singh, and reigning Miss Moruca, Simone Fredericks, gathered at the Santa Rosa Heroes Square for the commemoration ceremony which took the form of eulogies, songs, poems and accolades to the heroes past and present. Among the deceased heroes are Joseph Atkinson who was instrumental in the establishment of the first Moruca Co-op Society shop; John Atkinson, the longest serving village captain; Rosa Atkinson, a herbal practitioner and spiritualist; Stephen Campbell, the first Amerindian parliamentarian; and John Ferreira, an entrepreneur who was fluent in the Carib, Warau and Arawak languages. The Heroes Monument, Santa Rosa, Region One Basil Rodrigues was the person instrumental in the idea of a Heroes Monument in Moruca. He used the occasion to thank members of the village council and public spirited persons for organizing such the event which, he acknowledged, emerged out of the realisation that there is a great need for youths in the village to know and appreciate their heroes, culture and language. The project, Rodrigues said, was not smooth sailing as many obstacles were faced to acquire funding for the monument which was built at a cost of over $45,000. Rodrigues was the former Aishalton Primary School head master, teacher of Santa Rosa Primary, and author of the songs “Nine Amerindian Tribes” and “Tribute to Moruca.” He also played in lead role in the play Kanaima and participated in the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) IX in Trinidad and Tobago. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett hailed him as a person who has done Moruca and the country proud. “He is so committed to the Amerindian culture… it was his idea that we have a monument… I’m very happy today that all Morucans are so supportive of this,” Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said. Agnes Daniels, the former school teacher who taught Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, was strict with her rules regarding dress, tardiness, and mannerisms; and the Foreign Affairs Minister recalled the inspiration she gained from the advice which she received to “use the Bible as a guide.” Minister Rodrigues-Birkett was also elated to receive the hero’s award, along with Vibert De Souza, Guyana’s first Amerindian Affairs Minister who, she said, was the person who gave her the scholarship opportunity, and advised her on the job opening at the Social Impact and Amelioration Programme (SIMAP). “He laid a foundation for me, because I came after him as Minister of Amerindian Affairs,” Minister Rodrigues said. Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues -Birkett unveils the Heroes Monument in the presence of several Moruca residents, Region One Reference was also made to his advocacy for land demarcation. Listening to the eulogies of the heroes and the call for youths to be cognizant and appreciative of their heroes, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett vowed to publish a booklet on the biographies of each awardee, especially for the village. In her recollections, she called the names of several other persons who, in her mind, are heroes of Moruca who did not make the list, but were nevertheless “gifts to Moruca from God.” The minister referred to a woman named Yamakoto who performed the role of a midwife and brought her into the world, and others who were vocal on the rights of Amerindians. During the ceremony, a commemorative plaque was unveiled in honour of Stephen Campbell, with a citation that read: “Dedicated to the Memory of Stephen Campbell, First Amerindian Member of Parliament, pioneer of Amerindian land titles, his memory lives.” (GINA)