Meanwhile the president will try to find a solution to the land rights issue. The h ad of state made her promise in the Palm Garden where International Day of the World's Indi-genous Peoples was being celebrated. Several representatives from Indigenous organizations from Brazil also attended the celebrations in the Palm Garden. “We will give land rights but while we are busy making the arrange-ments people receive concessions. We have made a law to prevent that. There are interests but do not be misled by interests. The law existsbit I just have to put my signature so that no concessions can be allocated in your tribal areas. Now all that is needed is permission from the village chiefs to put the signature.”

Sirito-Yana Aloema, chairman of Stichting Herdenking Nationale Dag der Inheemse Volken in Suriname, explained that Suriname is the only country where the Indigenous are not officially re-cognized. His biggest wish is for the Indigenous to get official recognition under the Simons admi-nistration. Josien Tokoe, chairwoman of the Organization of the Indigenous in Suriname (OIS), pointed out that the Indigenous people possess the strength to take the necessary steps on their own. Regional Development Minister Miquella Huur expressed her admiration for the Indigenous and assured them that the government would keep working until the collective land rights have been anchored in the law. She also gave her assurance that the government would keep investing in sustainable activities such as agriculture, education and infrastructure. “We need each other for development. The government can’t do it alone,” said Minister Huur.