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– Orealla’s Anostasha Coppin takes message of Indigenous pride, education & cultural preservation to national stage

By Andrew Carmichael

For 21-year-old Anostasha Coppin, participating in the National Heritage Pageant is about much more than competing for a crown. The young Lokono (Arawak) woman from Orealla sees the national stage as an opportunity to represent her people, celebrate her Indigenous heritage and encourage young people to embrace their identity while pursuing education and new opportunities.
Coppin will represent Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on September 30, 2026, at the National Cultural Centre, carrying with her the voices, traditions and aspirations of Orealla and Siparuta.
Growing up in Orealla, Coppin said she developed a deep appreciation for her culture, her people and the natural environment around her. But she has also seen some traditions and knowledge slowly fading, and that helped influence her decision to enter the pageant.
“I would have decided to join this pageant because I wanted to use my voice to represent my people and celebrate the richness of my Indigenous heritage. Growing up in Orealla, I’ve seen how important our traditions, knowledge and way of life are, but I’ve also seen some of them slowly fading,” she explained.
“I wanted to be part of changing that narrative by encouraging young people to embrace their identity, learn from our elders and carry our culture forward. For me, this journey is not just about wearing a crown; it’s about becoming a voice for my community and showing that our heritage is something to be proud of, protect and pass on to future generations.”
That desire to preserve the past while preparing young Indigenous people for the future is also reflected in the platform Coppin is taking to the national pageant: “Bridging Tradition and Innovation Through Education”.
Coppin believes education can help bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and a changing world, allowing Indigenous youth to value where they come from while confidently pursuing where they want to go.
It is a message that is also reflected in her own life.
Coppin currently works as part of the administrative staff at a hospital while pursuing an associate degree in social science at the University of Guyana. At the same time, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management through a Government of Guyana GOAL scholarship.
Her interest in natural resource management is particularly relevant to the environment and way of life in which she was raised.
Her father, she explained, is an ordinary villager whose livelihood depends on activities such as hunting, farming, fishing and hauling.
Coppin is passionate about natural resource management and recognises the importance of protecting the environment and the resources on which many Indigenous communities depend.
Through her pageant journey, she hopes to showcase not only the beauty of Indigenous culture but also the strength, resilience and potential of Indigenous people.
Should she be crowned National Heritage Queen, Coppin said her village and Guyana as a whole can expect her to use the position to serve and advocate for Indigenous youth.
“If I were to be crowned National Heritage Queen, Guyana can expect a woman who is committed to serving with purpose, representing with pride, and leading with integrity.

I would use my platform to advocate for Indigenous youth, encourage them to embrace their heritage, pursue education, and believe that their background does not limit their future,” she said.
Coppin said she would also seek to become an ambassador for Indigenous culture, promoting not only its celebration but also its preservation and the transfer of traditional knowledge between generations.
“Guyana can also expect me to be a proud ambassador of our culture, not only celebrating our traditions but also actively encouraging their preservation and passing our knowledge from one generation to the next. I would carry the crown with humility, knowing that it is not simply a symbol of beauty but a responsibility to my people.”
For Coppin, that responsibility begins with the communities she will carry with her onto the national stage. “Orealla and Siparuta can look forward to a daughter who will never forget where she comes from,” she said.
“I want to use the platform and opportunities that come with the crown to bring greater recognition to both communities, celebrate our Indigenous identity, and help preserve the traditions and knowledge that make Orealla and Siparuta unique.”
She also wants her participation to send a message to young people in the two communities that where they come from does not determine how far they can go.
“I want the young people of Orealla and Siparuta to see themselves represented and know that their dreams are valid, regardless of where they come from. I also want to continue learning from our elders and creating opportunities for our youth to connect with their culture while pursuing education and a brighter future,” Coppin said.
“Most importantly, Orealla and Siparuta can look forward to me carrying our names with pride. Wherever the crown takes me, I will always remember that I am a daughter of these communities, and I will make sure Orealla and Siparuta are seen, heard, and represented with dignity.”
The National Heritage Pageant, a biennial event, forms part of activities for Amerindian Heritage Month and brings together representatives from across Guyana to compete on the national stage.
For Coppin, however, success would ultimately be measured by what she is able to do with the opportunity should she capture the national crown.
“Most importantly, Guyana can expect me to leave an impact. I would want my reign to be remembered not only for the crown I wore but also for the lives I touched, the young people I inspired, and the legacy I helped create.”
Pic saved as coppin, coppin 1, 2, 3

The post “It’s not just about wearing a crown” – Reg 6 Heritage Queen appeared first on Guyana Times.

– as more than 270 companies indicate interest in constructing houses

As part of its commitment to deliver 40,000 homes within the next five years, the Government is planning to construct townhouses at Ogle and Silica City in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), where the demand for housing remains highest among applicants registered with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
The initiative was confirmed by CH&PA Chief Executive Officer Dr Martin Pertab during a recent interview with Guyana Times, during which he noted that the first phase is expected to comprise approximately 200 units, with additional townhouses to be developed if the pilot proves successful.
Pertab explained that the decision to pursue townhouse development is driven by the high demand for housing, particularly in Region Four, where the availability of suitable land has become a growing challenge.

He added that the townhouses are also intended to cater to the needs of young professionals, providing an alternative housing option in areas where land availability is limited.
According to Pertab, the Government is working with international contractors on the project, which forms part of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s broader housing programme.
More than 270 companies – local, regional, and international – have formally indicated their interest in constructing houses across Guyana as part of the Government’s commitment to deliver 40,000 homes.
Pertab said the Government remains engaged with these contractors. In fact, he disclosed that the Government will soon launch a website to showcase some of these contractors and the housing solutions they are offering. He said through the website, citizens will be able to connect with the contractors, utilise their services, and leave reviews on their performances.

This, he emphasised, will result in the contractors being ranked and will force them to perform optimally in housing projects. According to Pertab, the contractors with sound financing who expressed an interest in the Government’s housing initiative will be featured on the website.
The CH&PA remains on track to clear the backlog for all regions except Region Four by 2027.
In July, Housing Minister Collin Croal disclosed that there were some 80,000 applicants in the system countrywide – of which approximately 50,000 are from Region Four.
The Housing Minister explained that one of the biggest challenges is access to land, especially for Region Four, where the demand is high.
It was recently reported that the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) is working on making approximately 8000 acres of land available to assist the Housing Ministry in clearing the backlog across the country.
Meanwhile, as the Government continues to process applications for Region Four, Minister within the Housing Ministry Vanessa Benn emphasised that priority will be given to applicants who have been in the system since 2021 and earlier.
“Persons who have applications in 2021 and the years prior, we are addressing those now,” she said on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday.
In this regard, Minister Benn urged individuals to update their information. “We are encouraging persons to follow up on their applications. You have some people who would say, ‘Oh, I applied since 1997 or 2008, and I haven’t heard anything as yet.’ But have they checked? Have they considered that the contact information they had on their application might no longer be valid? That is why we keep asking members of the public. Once you have an application in the system and it’s been there a while, please update it,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Minister Benn acknowledged that there are some cases where individuals have been allocated lands but are still waiting to access them to start construction. However, she noted that the Government is working diligently to ensure everyone with allocations can access their lands.
“In some instances, unfortunately, some of the contractors have been a bit sluggish. You would have seen Minister Croal and I having meetings with them and kind of reading the riot act to get them to really advance. For those not living up to the conditions of their contracts, some terminations have been done, causing delays as well, because if my contract is terminated, then you have to go through the process of retendering and getting someone else, and so on. So, those are some of the challenges that we face, but we’re addressing them more actively to get that done,” she assured.
Nonetheless, the Minister emphasised that the Ministry continues to work aggressively to ensure housing solutions for all categories of citizens. She said these include distributing house lots, building homes, helping allottees start their housing foundations, and providing subsidy vouchers for steel and cement to help facilitate construction.

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By Mishael Henry

There was something about the scenery at the Sophia Exhibition Site that made time feel almost timeless. Even with the influx of patrons, the colourful displays, and the steady hum of conversation, Guyana’s past seemed to find a place in the present – etched into pieces of wood, woven from straw and Tibisiri, and fashioned into objects carrying stories handed down through generations. This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme, ‘Observing Our Cultural Heritage During Our Diamond Jubilee: Honouring Our Traditions, Culture, and Contributions.’ Quite by coincidence, the Guyana Times encountered artisan Roland Taylor at his booth, immersed in the craft to which he has devoted himself. His work had already begun attracting attention, with several pieces purchased and others bearing the unmistakable signs of a successful exhibition – sold-out pieces. For Taylor, however, the attraction was about more than simply purchasing a beautiful object.

“The vibes are good. You just have to come yourself to get the vibes down here at Sophia,” he said, encouraging members of the public to visit the exhibition. “If you don’t come, you miss out. I understand you have to wait till next year. So, the vibes are right down here. You have to come to Sophia Exhibition Site and get the real thing.” With the exhibition continuing into the following day, Taylor urged people not to miss the opportunity to experience the displays, noting that activities begin at 10:00h. Taylor explained that his creations begin with simple tools and carefully selected pieces of timber. After the initial carving comes the finishing process, requiring several grades of sandpaper. “And I use all the finishing sandpaper, like from starting with the big grains till the finishing grain,” he added. Yet Taylor’s work is not merely about transforming a piece of wood into something pleasing to the eye. Among his creations are representations of the owl, the mystical man, the jaguar, and the black panther – figures rooted in Indigenous beliefs, traditions, and understandings of the natural world. Pointing to the mystical man, Taylor explained that the piece speaks to the different tribes and the distinct forms of power and belief that exist within Indigenous communities. He stressed that no tribe could simply be considered more powerful than another, since each community possesses its own beliefs, traditions, and understanding of power. “You cannot say, ‘Oh, I’m stronger than another tribe.’ That tribe has its own power within their life,” he said. For Taylor, the forest itself is filled with signs and meanings – things that may appear mysterious or frightening to an outsider but carry significance to those who understand the traditional knowledge of Indigenous communities. Among the most intriguing of his pieces is the owl board, which he described as being connected to secret knowledge within Indigenous livelihood. According to Taylor, the owl has traditionally been regarded as a messenger capable of revealing certain occurrences within a family or community. He explained that when a girl becomes pregnant, the owl may come and howl, serving as a signal to those familiar with the traditional understanding of the forest. The bat too has its own place in this traditional system of signs. Taylor explained that when a boy child is expected, the bat is believed to bring a seed and drop it in the yard or along a path where people walk. For those who inherit and understand these traditions, such occurrences are not simply random events. They form part of a wider body of knowledge – signals read from the natural world and understood within the community. When asked about the sizable pieces of wood from which some of his sculptures were fashioned, Taylor explained that he does not necessarily have to travel far to find his raw materials. “One here is from my backyard,” he said, pointing to one piece. Another, he explained, was found along the main road.
A sculpture representing a jaguar, for instance, was priced at $100,000, while another piece was priced at $80,000 and another at $60,000. Some of Taylor’s work had already been sold, demonstrating the value visitors place not only on the craftsmanship but also on the cultural stories embodied in each piece. Among his creations was also a horse’s head incorporating an Indigenous man. Taylor connected the work to the Indigenous communities of the Rupununi savannahs, where horses have long been part of community life. A few booths away, another expression of Indigenous heritage was taking shape – this time not beneath the blade of a chisel, but through the patient weaving of straw and Tibisiri.

Older Guyana
Martina Samuels sat at her booth as visitors moved through the exhibition, surrounded by objects that spoke quietly of an older Guyana. There were headbands associated with Amerindian traditional leadership, including those worn by Toshaos and chiefs, as well as necklaces and other forms of adornment.
Behind her stood earrings fashioned from Tibisiri and feathers, fittingly displayed during a month when Indigenous identity and culture occupy a particularly prominent place in the national consciousness. Tibisiri is a thin, pale, flexible fiber or straw-like material extracted from the young leaves and shoots of the Ité palm (also called the eté or eta palm) by the indigenous Amerindian people of Guyana. The display continued with traditional clothing, including women’s bras and skirts, alongside bags, fruit bowls, jewelry boxes, arambos, fans, and trays. There was also a small matapi and a sifter, traditional implements associated with the preparation of cassava bread. Asked whether it was important for Indigenous people to know and preserve their culture, she was unequivocal. “I think it’s important because we are Arawaks. We deal with tibisiri, straw, and that’s why we try to, you know, hand it down to the younger ones as they come. Because when we get old, we try to hand down to the young ones that they must know the work, what to do,” she said.

Traditional flavours
Meanwhile, the taste of Indigenous culture was also being served up at the exhibition, as Jason and Michelle’s Churrascaria offered visitors an opportunity to experience traditional and regional flavours. “Well, we usually do the kebabs. We have beef, chicken, pork, calabrese. They do the kebab on the stick. You can have a look if you want to ; we also do – you can see – the beef, and then we have the chicken, we have pork, and we have the calabrese. We also have cassava bread. We also do a Brazilian cocktail; it’s called caipirinha,” she added. For Jason and Michelle’s Native Churrascaria, the Heritage Exhibition has also become a place where culture is shared across communities. “This is actually our third year selling with the Heritage Exhibition,” they explained.
While they are not from a particular region, they noted that their mother is from Region Eight. For them, however, the significance of the exhibition stretches far beyond their own Indigenous heritage. “Well, it’s a very wonderful feeling because it’s not just only about our Indigenous people. It’s about all the different races coming together to see our culture, what it’s about. So, it’s a really wonderful feeling,” they said. Amerindian Heritage Month is celebrated annually throughout September, with activities being held across Guyana to promote greater recognition, appreciation and respect for the culture and contributions of the country’s First Peoples.

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