APA Urges National Toshaos Council to Tackle Lingering Land Issues and Reform Amerindian Act
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
As the 2025 National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference convenes, Grim Atkinson, project coordinator of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), is calling on Indigenous leaders to amplify their voices and challenge what he describes as a stagnant and unsatisfactory status quo.
“These are existential issues—issues of rights and rights violations,” Atkinson told HGP Nightly News. “If our leaders stay silent, it signals acceptance. And the status quo is far from what it should be.”
Atkinson sharply criticized the slow pace of the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project, citing unresolved issues in communities such as Jawala and Chinese Landing. He noted that while the APA remains open to collaboration, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, led by Minister Pauline Sukhai, has not demonstrated a willingness to work with APA on these concerns.
“There’s no urgency or efficiency in the current land demarcation process,” Atkinson said. “Government control has not translated into results.”
Atkinson emphasized that the ALT project, which was established to enhance land tenure security and support sustainable development, has so far fallen short of expectations.
Atkinson also raised the issue of amending the Amerindian Act of 2006, which has not been updated despite years of consultation.
“There are glaring gaps,” he stated. “While some sections are useful, others fail to respect indigenous rights and must be revised.”
The APA says reform of the Act should be a central topic at this year’s conference, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts between indigenous communities and mining, logging, and state agencies.
- Unresolved land titling and demarcation (ALT Project delays)
- There is an urgent need to amend the Amerindian Act of 2006
- Call for genuine collaboration between APA and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
- Empowerment of village leaders to advocate for rights
The APA believes that empowered and informed leadership is critical to addressing these systemic challenges and ensuring Indigenous communities can safeguard their lands, rights, and futures.
