By Shenella Charles
I have worked as a GRASAC Research Assistant for six years in various capacities and it has provided me with the great opportunity to connect with Indigenous community members, graduate students, and academics. As a Lokono graduate student, this experience has helped to grow and has shaped the way that I approach my own research with my Lokono community in Guyana.
The observance of Orange Shirt Day and the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada provided an opportunity for me to reflect on the connections between Indigenous histories globally. Last month, I celebrated Indigenous Heritage Month in Guyana with my family and community members. I participated in several cultural events and visited various exhibitions that celebrated the contributions of Guyana’s Indigenous nations. While it was a wonderful experience, I am mindful of the challenges that Indigenous communities continue to face and the need to focus on Indigenous histories and Indigenous futurities all year round. One of the exhibitions that I visited that highlighted both Indigenous cultures and advocacy was the exhibition by the Amerindian Peoples Association. The exhibition featured items that were collected by Jean La Rose (Executive Director of Amerindian Peoples Association) and documents on the organization’s projects.