Welcome to the official website of the Canadian Guyanese Congress. Our organisation is a federally incorporated Canadian not-for-profit, non partisan entity. It is the national voice of Canadians of Guyanese heritage – a community that has grown exponentially since the 1970’s.
The organisation represents the interests of the community before the various levels of governments in Canada as well as before the general Canadian public. It seeks to ensure that the aspirations and interests of the community are fostered and protected by both public and private institutions.
The Canadian Guyanese Congress encourages and supports participation of the community in strengthening Canadian values and Canada’s social fabric. It has a strong focus on preparing members for leadership roles in the Canadian community at large informed by the benefit of an exceptional and unique heritage.
The rich ethno-cultural heritage of persons of Guyanese heritage include Indigenous – Guyanese (Amerindians) , African-Guyanese, Chinese-Guyanese, Indian-Guyanese, Portuguese-Guyanese and other Europeans) as well as a multi-religious heritage ( including Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Indigenous spiritual practices).
The First Peoples of Guyana, South America are the Amerindians of four main tribes – Arawaks, Caribs, Wapisianas and Warraus together with the sub tribes Arrecunas, Akawaios, Patamonas, Macusis and Wai-Wais. The First Peoples are believed to have inhabited the Guianas about 11,000 years ago.
Consistent with this diverse and inclusive heritage, the Canadian Guyanese Congress welcomes the participation and support of all Canadians in its activities to foster greater inter-cultural, inter-racial and inter-religious bonds among fellow Canadians.
The organisation is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is led by a National President and Board of Directors supported by an Advisory Council and various Committees as well as a Board of Governors acting as ambassadors for the organisation.
The symbol in the Maple Leaf of Canadian Guyanese Congress logo represent the Victorian lily which is the national flower of Guyana, formerly British Guiana. Victoria amazonica is a genus of water-lilies in the plant family Nymphaeaceae, with very large green leaves that lie flat on the water’s surface. The flowers are white the first night they are open and become pink the second night. The genus name was given in honour of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
As Canadians of Guyanese heritage, we have been highly successful in our integration and establishment into Canadian society. As an organisation, we seek to more proactively engage in strengthening our remarkable country through public service with an emphasis on youth participation and leadership as well as working collaboratively with other Canadian communities.
We invite you to support and participate in our organisation’s activities.
Thank you.
Mark M. Persaud, LL.B., LL.M., LL.D.
National President
