Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell was an Arawakan Guyanese politician and political activist, and the first Amerindian member of Parliament in Guyanese history.[1][2][3][4]

For other people named Steven Campbell, see Steven Campbell (disambiguation).

Stephen Campbell
House of Assembly
In office
1957–1966
Personal details
Born
Stephen Joseph Campbell

(1897-12-26)26 December 1897
Santa Rosa, British Guiana
Died12 May 1966(1966-05-12) (aged 68)
Toronto, Canada
Political partyNational Labour Front (1957-1961)
The United Force (1961-1966)
Occupationpolitician

Biography

Stephen Joseph Campbell was born to Tiburtio A. Campbell and his wife, Maria dos Santos, in Santa Rosa, British Guiana,[5] on 26 December 1897. Both of Campbell's parents died when he was young, and he was subsequently raised by his grandmother. He was brought up as a devout Catholic. He studied at Santa Rosa Mission School, and subsequently worked for many years as a teacher and as a catechist in various regions of Guyana. Campbell married Umbelina Da Silva on 9 February 1928.[6][7]

On 10 September 1957, Campbell became the first Amerindian member of Parliament in Guyanese history, when he was elected onto the Legislative Council of British Guiana.[1][2][3] He subsequently joined the National Labour Front.[6] In 1961, Campbell changed parties to The United Force.[8] In 1964, he became Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.[9]

Campbell went to Toronto, Canada for medical treatment, and died there on 12 May 1966,[5] just two weeks before Guyana won independence from Great Britain.[6] He was buried in Canada.[5]

Legacy

Campbell is widely regarded as a hero by Amerindian communities in Guyana, and his achievements are celebrated on 10 September every year as a part of Amerindian Heritage Month.[1][2][3][10] Campbelltown has been named after Stephen Campbell.[11] In 2018, the building of the Ministry of Citizenship was renamed after Campbell.[9]

References
  1. Haynes, Andre (18 September 2008). "Treading on Stephen Campbell's Roads: Is the Dream Finally a Reality?". Stabroek News. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  2. Anon (9 September 2011). "Stephen Campbell Remembered at Evening of Reflection". Guyana Chronicle Online. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  3. Knews (2 September 2011). "21st Century Amerindian Heritage". Kaieteur News. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  4. GINA (Guyana's Government Information Agency) (11 September 2011). "Heritage Village celebrations highlight contributions of Parliamentarian Stephen Campbell". Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  5. "Propagating the Memory of Indigenous Hero, Stephen Campbell". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  6. Anon (10 September 2010). "Amerindian Affairs Ministry pays tribute to first Amerindian Legislator, Stephen Campbell". Guyana Chronicle Online. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  7. Moruca Newsletter - Santa Rosa. "Wall of Fame: Notable Morucans". Retrieved 9 July 2012.
  8. "Politics…TUF's trek into history". Stabroek News. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  9. "Public building to be renamed in Stephen Campbell's honour". Department of Public Information. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  10. Smock, Kirk (2008). Guyana:The Bradt Travel Guide. UK: Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-223-1.
  11. "Indigenous Peoples of the A-B-C countries of South America". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 9 September 2020.


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