First Peoples: Where’s holiday $$?

Chief Ricardo Bharath Hernandez said the community would attempt to contact government officials to find out about funding for the holiday as they are yet to receive word. He was reluctant to state the required amount.

The community also said they are yet to receive a $500,000 subvention that they usually receive and the financial year is almost up. This subvention, he said, is being used to build the 25 acres of land given to the community, on which they plan to construct the First Peoples Heritage Village.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in May, announced that the First Peoples would receive a one-off holiday on October 13. The community has a number of activities planned for the holiday. From August 1 the community has events planned leading up to the day.

One of them is a theme song to be done for the holiday.

On August 1 it plans to a soft launch of activities.

It will start with a traditional canon blast/ smoke ceremony on August 1. On August 12, during Arima Borough Day activities. Some of the activities leading up to the October 13 holiday include public lectures at various places in TT, a fund-raising calypso, parang and cultural concert, a book launch and a school’s rally among others.

The community, however, is not only relying on government for funding but it is also seeking corporate sponsorship as well as will host several fund-raising activities among them barbecues and the sale of t-shirts and limited edition stamps.