The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Ramada Hotel, where its members elected a new Executive Committee to oversee its work for the next year. Mr Lemmel Thomas of Kamarang, Upper Mazaruni District, was elected President, succeeding Mr Mario Hastings, who will now serve as Vice-President.
Ms Winneth Collymore, the Regional Co-operatives Development Officer in the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning, oversaw the election process. Officers from the Co-operatives and Friendly Societies Department are typically in attendance at the annual general meetings of the APA to ensure compliance and regulatory adherence as mandated by the Friendly Societies Act, Chapter 36:04.
The AGM, the highest decision-making forum for the APA, featured elections for key positions within the APA’s Executive Committee.
The results are as follows:
- President: Mr Lemmel Thomas (Kamarang Village, Region 7) elected after securing most votes against Mr Mario Hastings.
- Vice President: Mr Mario Hastings (Kako Village, Region 7), elected after securing the majority of votes against Ms Lucy Wilson of the Moruca Sub-Region.
- Secretary: Toshao David Wilson of Akawini, elected after securing the majority against Mr Earl Thomas.
- Treasurer: Toshao of Hobodia, Mabarub Sub-Region, Mr Reynold Hudson
- Assistant Secretary: Mr John Campbell, Santa Cruz, Moruca Sub-Region
- Assistant Treasurer: Mr Allan Torres, Santa Rosa, Moruca Sub-Region
- Women’s Representative: Toshao Alma Marshall of Kamarang secured the most votes against Ms Lita John, Ms Emily Eusebio, Ms Britney Percy and Ms Delores Daniels.
- Youth Representative: Ms Crystal Atkinson of Santa Rosa Village, Region 1, was elected after receiving the majority of votes against Mr Ezra George and Toshao Mark Joseph of Phillipai Village.
- Trustees: Dmitri Nicholson and Kim Fredericks
Regional Representatives
- Moruca: Ms Genevieve Vansluytman
- Mabaruma: Ms Roxanne Skeete
- Matarkai: Mr Claude Benjamin
- Pomeroon: Ms Karolin Thomas
- Essequibo Coast: Mr Joseph Russell
- Middle Mazaruni: Mr Ronald Joseph
- Upper Mazaruni: Mr Clyde Henry
- Upper Cuyuni: Mr Ramadhin Ruddy
- North Pakaraimas: Mr Charles Peter
- Potaro: Mr Carlos Marco
- South Pakaraimas: Mr James Davis
- Central Rupununi: Mr Fredrick Stephen
- South Central Rupununi: Mr Ronald Ignatius
- Deep South Rupununi: Mr Patrick Gomes
The AGM remains a cornerstone of the APA’s efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and strategic planning. In addition to electing Office Bearers, key achievements of the AGM included the approval of the minutes from the 2024 AGM, the review and adoption of the 2024 annual report and financial statements, and the approval of the APA’s proposed work plan for the upcoming year.
Ahead of the AGM, the APA also held its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) between December 9-10, 2025, bringing together its members from across Guyana. Discussions focused on key issues, including land rights, environmental sustainability, and strengthening Indigenous cultural heritage. Participants reviewed progress on ongoing initiatives, assessed challenges, and explored strategies to enhance advocacy at both national and international levels.
The OGM laid the groundwork for the AGM, reinforcing the APA’s mission to protect the rights, lands, and traditions of Indigenous Peoples. As a rights-based organisation, the APA remains committed to fostering solidarity among Indigenous communities and ensuring their voices are central to national development conversations.