The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) mourns with heavy hearts the passing of one of our dearest founders and fiercest advocates, Mr. Lawrence Anselmo of Paruima Village, Upper Mazaruni, who departed this life on June 12, 2025, at the age of 72.
Mr. Anselmo was more than a leader. He was a torchbearer of resilience, justice, and cultural pride. As a founding member and former President of the APA, he dedicated his life to the protection, promotion, preservation and advancement of Indigenous rights. His vision, his voice, and his values have left an indelible mark on our movement and our nation, and we are poorer without his presence.
Mazaruni land rights case. This was a defining moment in our collective struggle for recognition and justice. For over two decades, he served as Toshao of Paruima, not only guiding his community with wisdom but also representing Indigenous Peoples with unwavering strength across Guyana and on the international stage.
A proud son of Guyana’s only Arecuna-speaking community, Mr. Anselmo was a beacon for Region 7 and a pillar of the Upper Mazaruni. Revered as one of its heroes, he took up the challenge as a plaintiff in the historic Upper
His life’s work was rooted in a deep love for our peoples, and that fueled his efforts to preserve our languages, protect our lands, and uplift our cultures. He believed that our stories must be told in our own words, in our own tongues. For this, and so much more, he was awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement, Guyana’s fourth-highest award in the Order of Service, for his “unflinching commitment in the safeguarding of the rights of the indigenous peoples of Guyana and his research in the Arecuna language.” in 2016.
Even in his final years, Mr. Anselmo remained a guiding force. During a 2023ceremony where the Upper Mazaruni District Council honoured him, he called upon leaders to keep fighting for our people. These words echo even louder today, as we reflect on his extraordinary legacy.
Mr. Anselmo’s journey was one of courage, dignity, and deep humility. He gave everything so that future generations could inherit a stronger, more just world. A world where Indigenous identity is not only protected but celebrated.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his community of Paruima, and to all whose lives he touched. While we grieve his loss, we also celebrate his remarkable life. His spirit lives on in every battle we fight, every language we preserve, and every child who grows up proud of who they are.
May the ancestors welcome you with open arms.