More than $41 billion has been invested in Indigenous communities over the past five years, supporting economic, social and infrastructure development across villages, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek said.

Speaking on the Starting Point podcast, Browne-Shadeek said the level of investment reflected a significant increase in resources available to Indigenous communities, while noting that her ministry’s annual budget had also grown substantially in recent years.

“There is still much more that needs to be done, of course, but the $41 billion does not really reflect a true reflection,” Browne-Shadeek said.

She said the figure did not include all investments benefiting Indigenous communities, as villages had also benefited from government-funded roads, water infrastructure and new secondary schools.

Another major source of funding has been Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, which has provided about $14 billion to Indigenous communities and leaders for various projects.

Browne-Shadeek said the investments were aimed at improving living conditions while creating sustainable economic opportunities and allowing communities to determine their own development priorities.

“The community decides how they want to spend the money. We don’t dictate as a ministry,” she said.

According to the minister, communities have used the funds for agriculture, youth and women’s programmes, cultural initiatives, tourism, recreation and other economic activities.

Through the Amerindian Development Fund, villages have also invested in guest houses, transportation and other ventures intended to generate income.

Browne-Shadeek cited Mainstay as an example of community-led investment, describing its tourism operation as a “thriving business” that had expanded from one cabin to three.

She said profits from the operation had helped create employment and support other community needs, including contributions to a school.