Our 2017 symposium and Literary Hang will explore creation stories of Guyana’s indigenous peoples and their significance in shaping Guyanese identity. We will discuss archeology in Guyana, indigenous influences in literature and the arts, indigenous science and technology, stewardship of Guyana’s “verde,” and identify GCA’s future initiatives regarding Guyana’s indigenous heritage and culture.
DR. WALTER EDWARDS TO LAUNCH 2-DAY SYMPOSIUM
WITH THE DR. DESREY FOX-CAESAR MEMORIAL LECTURE
DR. DESREY FOX-CAESAR MEMORIAL LECTURE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31: GUYANA ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER
2805 NEWKIRK AVE., (Bet 28 & 29 Streets) BROOKLYN, NY 11226
We are happy to announce that the distinguished Guyanese scholar Dr. Walter Edwards, Professor of Linguistics and Director of the Humanities Center at Wayne State University will launch the two-day Symposium and Literary Hang with the Dr. Desrey Fox-Caesar Memorial Lecture on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at the Guyana Arts& Cultural Center, Brooklyn, New York. His proposed title is “Desrey Fox and the Amerindian Languages Project.”
Dr. Edwards established the Amerindian Languages Project (ALP) at the University of Guyana in 1976. One of the founding research assistants was Desrey Caesar. One of the ALP’s goals was to help administrators and teachers learn about the languages and culture of our indigenous peoples. There were plans for a hydro-electricity project in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region where the Akawaios and Arekunas live. The ALP’s first publication, An Introduction to the Akawaio and Arekuna Peoples of Guyana (University of Guyana, April 1977), focused on the Akawaios and Arekunas.
Although the hydro-electricity project was shelved, the ALU continued its work. Desrey Fox remained with the ALP and its successor, the Amerindian Research Unit, for 20 years. She conducted field work with all of Guyana’s indigenous peoples and developed “fluency in all dialects of Pemóng and Kapóng, plus conversational ability in Cariban languages Kari’na (Carib proper) and Arawak.”
In 2003, the late Dr. Desrey Caesar-Fox, completed her Ph.D., at Rice University, Houston, TX with the dissertation ZAURONÖDOK AGAWAYA YAU: Variants of Akawaio spoken at Waramadong.
SYMPOSIUM & LITERARY HANG
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 2: GUYANA ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER
2805 NEWKIRK AVE., (Bet 28 & 29 Streets) BROOKLYN, NY 11226
The Symposium and Literary Hang will continue on Saturday, September 2, starting at 10:00 am. The day will feature panel discussions, storytelling, performances, craft and book displays, a special lunch, and a festival of video.
Among the confirmed contributions to the day are:
• Victor Davson, a practicing artist and founding director since 1983 of Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art in Newark, New Jersey. He illustrated How the Warraus Came, a seminal publication about creation stories of Guyana’s indigenous peoples. His work inspired Doris Harper-Wills, whose 2015 book The Wings of Iere, is an important publication about the folklore of Guyana’s indigenous peoples.
• Doris Harper-Wills, Educator, choreographer, poet, GCA Lifetime Achievement Award (2005) and author of The Wings of Iere.
• William I. Harris – Department of Architecture, Faculty of Technology, University of Guyana. His presentation will be titled “A Search for a Matapi Institute of Technological Research (MITR).”
• Louisa Daggers – Director of the Amerindian Research Unit, Faculty of Education and Humanities, University of Guyana. Her presentation will be titled “Guyana’s Archaeological Agenda and the future of Cultural Resource Management.”
Louisa Daggers –Director of the Amerindian Research Unit, Faculty of Education and Humanities, University of Guyana) and Dr. Mark G. Plew, University Distinguished Professor and Director, Center for Applied Archaeological Science, Department of Anthropology, Boise State University. A poster presentation titled Recent Investigations of Prehistoric Shell Mounds in Northwestern Guyana.
• Matoaka Little Eagle – American Indian Community House. Storyteller, singer, dancer, and educator. Matoaka Little Eagle will present Native American creation and other stories.
• Bob Gonzales – American Indian Community House. Leader of Taino Heritage Group in New York. Bob Gonzales will present Native American creation and origin, especially Taino stories.
• Dan Cooper – School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford. Dan Cooper is also a documentary filmmaker. His presentation is titled “Alleluia: A highland shamanic revitalization movement.”
• Michael Gilkes, Ph.D. Independent literary scholar and film maker. His films, among them Couvade, Wide Sargasso Sea, and Concert in the Rainforest will be presented during the festival of films and videos on Guyana’s indigenous heritage on Guyana Folk Festival’s YouTube Channel.
• Dave Martins – Musician. Will record and make a video of “I am There,” a tribute to Dr. Desry Caesar-Fox.
• Yaphet Jackman, MFA. Filmmaker. Will curate the festival of films and videos on Guyana Folk Festival’s YouTube Channel.