St. Ignatius 1909 had a few family houses around the area. Near to the farms and hunting ground located at the crook of the Kanuku Mountains. Father Kerry Elwes was also a Jesuit Priest who  came  to establish a nation to the Amerindians of the Rupununi. The spot chosen was Ariwa – a Makushi word which is a name of a particular fish – which is located on the right bank of the Takatutu Riveron the Brazilian border. The missionaries established a base and dedicated it to the founder of the Jesuits and became known as St. Ignatius mission.

Today St. Ignatius village is one of the largest Amerindian communities in the central Rupununi, which accommodates over 1,000 residents. This is governed by an elected village council made up a Toshao, Deputy and Councilors.

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