By: Antonio Dey | HGPTV Nightly News
As Indigenous Heritage Month celebrations came to a close on Tuesday, Nightly News sat down with one of Guyana’s most accomplished Indigenous figures, Shirley Melville-Overman, former Consul General to Brazil.
Melville-Overman is an Indigenous woman whose career spans banking and finance, communications, social work, politics, diplomacy, and Indigenous activism. Despite her many accomplishments, she remains firmly committed to national development, with a strong focus on improving conditions in hinterland communities.
Advocacy for Indigenous Peoples and Guyana-Brazil Relations
In an exclusive interview, the former Consul General reflected on her service during the David Granger administration, particularly her role in strengthening Guyana-Brazil ties in areas such as tourism, agriculture, and health.
“I was happy to serve my country because I have actually laid the foundation in sensitising Guyanese citizens on the consulate in Boa Vista,” she shared.
Criticism of Governance and Indigenous Challenges
Melville-Overman, a long-standing member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), was candid about the challenges facing Indigenous communities. She accused the current administration of adopting what she described as a “patronising and intimidating” style of governance, which, she says, prevents Indigenous people from freely voicing their struggles.
“It upsets me to see how our people are treated; it is a very patronising and intimidating approach, and our people are not allowed to speak up freely,” she told Nightly News.
Calls for More Female Representation and Community-Driven Planning
The Indigenous activist also called for greater female leadership within the National Toshaos Council and urged the government to adopt a needs-based, village-driven approach to policy.
“You have to be able to assess the needs in a village. You cannot just sit in an AC office in Georgetown and decide that this village needs that. It is not a band-aid effect of just putting a plaster over it,” she stressed.
Balancing Social and Infrastructural Development
Melville-Overman underscored that actual progress requires balancing social, human, and infrastructural development. She advocated for sustainable projects that can transform Indigenous communities, rather than relying on temporary solutions.
“We definitely need to look at supporting sustainable projects if you really want to see an improvement up the ladder for our Indigenous people,” she explained.
Equitable Education in Hinterland Communities
The former Bishop’s High alumna also highlighted the urgent need for equitable education in hinterland areas, emphasizing that bridging the education gap is essential for empowering future generations of Indigenous youth.
