First Peoples land development waits on study

Two years after they were promised 25 acres of land, a feasibility study will be done on the land given to the First Peoples by the Government, before development begins.

Speaking during the Senate debate on the Appropriation (Financial Year 2021) Bill, 2020, Government Senator and member of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Laurel Lezama-Lee Sing said the study will be done next year.

After the study is completed work will commence on the land. Some of projected works in the first phase will include fencing the property, erecting a spiritual centre, food preparation sheds and infrastructural work for utilities as well as the digging of well to water the community.

The 25 acres of land, promised to them, will be for the establishment of the First Peoples Heritage and Living Museum. After 1,320 acres were stolen from them by the Spaniards that once ruled TT, a re-gift of 25 acres appeased the First Peoples.

The deed to the land was given by the government to Carib chief Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez, at Carib headquarters on Paul Mitchell Street, Arima in August 2018. Bharath-Hernandez gave the assurance then that the 25 acres would be used for the propagation of the heritage of the Santa Rosa First Peoples and continuity of that community.

Lezama-Lee Sing said the land, once developed as hoped, will see financial freedom given to her people as it will allow for agricultural growth with a cassava processing plant and communal spaces.

“It will create employment and generate foreign exchange” she told the Senate adding that the development will be eco-friendly.

Lezama thanked the Prime Minister for the land donation saying her government has been supportive of the First Peoples.

“If we continue to etch out our TT identity there is no way we can know who we are and develop as a people if we don’t treat the first inhabitants of this land and treat them with respect and take time and pay attention to the fact that they were here first.”

Lezama-Lee Sing admonished the Opposition who she said treated her community with lip service on Indigenous Day with a media release depicting masqueraders from two Carnival bands instead of traditional First Peoples costume.

“I have to register my displeasure, personally and for my community the Santa Rosa First People’s for what was really a pappyshow, a costume party, a masquerade and lip service. This Government is committed to the development of the First Peoples.”