The First People’s Community is voicing its opposition to a call for the renaming of the Piarco International Airport.
Over the weekend, a call was made by NCIC President, Surujdeo Mangaroo, for the airport to be renamed after the late former Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday.
In a statement, Chief of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community, Ricardo Bharath Hernandez, says to remove the name “Piarco” from the airport would constitute a “profound disrespect to the history and heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.”
He called for the preservation of the name, and also renewed a call for the recognition of indigenous land rights and the advancement of discussions regarding the ownership, stewardship and protection of ancestral lands.
The chief also called for proper consultations before the renaming of any national landmarks, saying such processes must be guided by transparency, sensitivity, public participation and respect.
He said any name change without proper consultation risks diminishing the historical significance they hold for generations.
There was also continued advocacy for a public holiday that appropriately recognizes the contributions, resilience and enduring presence of the First Peoples, with the Chief saying that “symbolic recognitions must be accompanied by tangible actions that promote education, cultural preservation and equitable treatment”.
Several years ago, the First Peoples Community was also strongly opposed to a suggestion by then Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, that the airport could be renamed after Dr Eric Williams.
