Pakuri Arawak Women Take National Cricket Competition

Georgetown, Guyana (UCTP Taino News) - The Amerindian Ladies Softball Cricket Team from Pakuri Arawak Territory played in the exciting final match of the National Amerindian Heritage Competition on Sunday September 16th 2007. Held at the Carifesta grounds in Georgetown, Guyana, the challenging team was the Kabakaburi Ladies Softball Cricket Team (from Region #1). The final score was 88 runs in 15 overs with 2 out for Kabakaburi - and 89 runs in 15 overs with 7 out for Pakuri (better know as St. Cuthbert's Mission)from Region #4 (Demerara/Mahaica).

The Captain of the winning Pakuri Arawak team, Denise Daniels received a trophy and GY$50,000 ($246 USD) in prize money on behalf of her team. The second place team received a trophy and GY$35,000. This was the fifth consecutive year that the talented Lokono Arawaks of Pakuri/St. Cuthbert's have won the National Amerindian Heritage Cricket Competition.

Since 1995, Amerindian Heritage Month has been officially celebrated annually in Guyana.

New Site for Taino Artist Reina Miranda

UCTP Taino News - Taino Artist Reina Miranda has just developed a new website to facilitate the sale of her paintings at Sistino.com. One of Miranda's paintings, "La Taina", was recently featured at United Nations Headquarters in New York during a group exhibition presented in conjuction with the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues from May-August 2007. You can now purchase prints directly from the site in a variety of ways including framing, mounting, art prints, paintings, canvas prints, fine art prints, giclee prints, art reproductions and original art. To acess the site please visit the link at:

http://www.sistino.com/shop/search/N/0/Ntk/all/Ntt/reina+miranda/Num/1/

Good News for Manatees

Florida (UCTP Taino News) - The Manatee or “sea cow” is a gentle sea creature that inhabits tropical waters from Florida through the Caribbean island chain, down to coastal South America. The word Manatee or Manati comes from the Taino Indian language and there is even a town in Puerto Rico that retains the name. The Manatee feeds only on aquatic plants and was an important part of Taino culture much like the buffalo was to some North American Tribal Nations. Today, the Manatee is still considered sacred to many Taino who are happy to note that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently voted to delay downgrading the manatee's status from endangered to “threatened.”

In a letter issued on Monday, September 10th, Florida Governor Charlie Crist called the manatee one of Florida’s “beloved natural resources.” The Governor urged the Commission to postpone their decision given the need for a better method to estimate the Manatee population and the record 417 manatee deaths in 2006.

The FWC decided to defer the decision on down-listing manatees until at least the Dec. 5-6 meeting in Key Largo, FL.

UCTP Representative Mildred Caraira Gandia, a Boriken Taino who lives in Miami welcomed the decision as “good news for Manatees.” She and other community members plan to continue to monitor the situation.

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See also: http://taino-facts.blogspot.com/2007/01/manatee-or-manati.html

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Cuba

Excerpt of Statement made by Cuban Representative on the passage of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Sept. 2007:

CLAUDIA PEREZ-ALVAREZ (Cuba) noted that ending the isolation and discrimination suffered by the peoples for more than five centuries had been the driving motive of many stakeholders around the world. Noting important milestones in the process, she said the working group had been the first instance to address the question, opening the door for the ancestral claims of indigenous peoples. During the first decade, significant results had been made in the quest for solutions to the problems faced by indigenous communities, including the contributions from the special rapporteur on the situation of indigenous peoples and the establishment of the Permanent Forum on indigenous questions.

The Declaration and its future impact on the work of the United Nations would serve as a guide for future claims of the indigenous community. The Human Rights Council and its subordinate bodies should follow up for the full implementation of all indigenous people’s human rights. The acts of the United Nations in the second decade should not be limited to defining indigenous people’s rights. Cuba would continue to support the just claims of indigenous peoples.

Taino Music Sounds at NY Botanical Garden

Bronx, New York (UCTP Taino News) - Members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society - Roberto Mucaro Borrero, Maria Gil Diaz, and William Ruiz - enjoy the sights after four successful Taino music presentations at the 2007 Fiesta de Flores at The New York Botanical Garden 15-16 September 2007. The celebration of the "People and Plants of Latin America and the Caribbean" was held in conjunction with the NY Botanical Garden's exhibition "Caribbean Gardens: Journey to Paradise."

UCTPTN 09.18.2006

Arawak Design Blog and Pow Wow Schedule

UCTP Taino News - Claudia Fox Tree (Arawak) has set up a blog entitled “Arawak Design” at http://arawak-design.blogspot.com/ . At the site you can review her Pow Wow schedule where she will be attending and participating with her Arawak Crafts booth “Arawak Design”, which specializes in jewelry and hair accessories since 1994. At the same site you can also review her dynamic lecture presentations. Claudia currently serves on the board for the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA) and as the Massachusetts Liaison for the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP).

You can visit Claudia at the Oct. 28* MCNAA Annual Gathering and Benefit Auction - Randolph, MA and on Nov. 17 at MCNAA National NA Heritage Day Pow Wow - Medford, MA (location TBA).

Fiesta de Flores at The New York Botanical Garden

Celebrate the People and Plants of Latin America and the Caribbean
and Enjoy the Final Weekend of Caribbean Gardens: Journey to Paradise

Saturday–Sunday, September 15–16

On September 15–16, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Fiesta de Flores, a weekend festival at The New York Botanical Garden, commemorating the people and plants of Latin America and the Caribbean. Enjoy the beauty of the Garden while being treated to live music, dancing, delicious food specialties, storytelling, and more. Take in the tropics on a tour through the final weekend of Caribbean Gardens: Journey to Paradise, the lush exhibition of Caribbean island flora, such as hibiscus, passionflower, bougainvillea, orchids, and more, inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Discover what Garden scientists have been researching for the last century, originating from the first exploration in the Caribbean, and learn about current projects such as the Virtual Herbarium in the exhibition Plants and Fungi: Ten Current Research Stories.

Special Features:

Indigenous Taino Music
On the Conservatory Lawn
Saturday and Sunday, 12 and 1:30 p.m.
Journey to another place and time while listening to indigenous Taino music with members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society. Learn about this indigenous culture’s instruments and how the music is tied to the natural environment.

Special Presentation: Medicinal Plants of Indigenous Caribbean Cultures
Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
In the Conservatory GreenSchool
Join Roberto Mucaro Borrero (Taino), Senior Program Coordinator at the American Museum of Natural History, for an engaging presentation on the medicinal plants used historically and traditionally by the Caribbean’s indigenous peoples.

To see full program visit:

http://www.nybg.org/footer/press_releases_results.php?id_press_release=185

For directions:
http://www.nybg.org/visit_the_garden/directions.php

4/27/2007 - 9/16/2007
Caribbean Gardens: Journey to Paradise
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory

Escape to exotic islands during this flower and cultural exhibition. Inside our historic glasshouse, stroll through a Spanish-style courtyard garden that’s bursting with the lush, tropical flora of the Caribbean. Immerse yourself in the fragrance and colors of hibiscus, passionflower, bougainvillea, oleander, orchids, and dozens more. Delve into diverse, fascinating cultures with Caribbean-inspired events. Dance to the beat of Caribbean music, indulge in the flavor of the region’s spices and fruits, and discover the vibrant history of its plants and people. Caribbean Gardens is accompanied by the botanical art exhibition Paradise in Print in the LuEsther T. Mertz Library.

UCTP President at the UN General Assembly

United Nations, NY (UCTP Taino News) - UCTP representative Roberto Mukaro Borrero (Taino) was the only indigenous Caribbean representative present at the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on Thursday September 13, 2007.

UN Photo: Roberto Mukaro Borrero, second row center

Historic Milestone for Indigenous Peoples Worldwide as UN Adopts Rights Declaration

New York, 13 September - Marking an historic achievement for the more than 370 million indigenous peoples worldwide, the General Assembly today adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the result of more than two decades of consultation and dialogue among governments and indigenous peoples from all regions.

"Today, by adopting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples we are making further progress to improve the situation of indigenous peoples around the world," stated General Assembly President Haya Al Khalifa.

See full story at:

http://indigenouscaribbeancaucus.blogspot.com/2007/09/historic-milestone-for-indigenous.html

A Caribbean Perspective on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2007
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK

8:00 a.m.

UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Ta’kahi Guaitiao (Greetings Relatives), on behalf of the Taíno People - the elders, children, women and men - represented by the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), and in solidarity with other Caribbean Indigenous Nations and organizations including The Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos (Puerto Rico); Caney Quinto Mundo (Puerto Rico); Kalinago Carib Nation (Dominica); Santa Rosa Carib Community (Trinidad); Joboshirima Lokono Arawak Community (Venezuela); Sanomaro Esa (Suriname); Eagle Clan Arawaks (Guyana/Barbados); Caney Indian Spiritual Circle (Cuba/U.S.); Presencia Taina (Puerto Rico/U.S.); Bohio Attabey Taino Women’s Circle (Puerto Rico/U.S.); Tainos Roca de Amor del Turey (Puerto Rico) and the Fundacion Luz Cosmica Taina (Dominican Republic), it is our hope that this message finds you well and in good Spirit.

On this historic day, the UCTP respectfully shares the following statement with regard to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

It is the view of the UCTP that Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will act upon today, Thursday September 13, 2007, contains many provisions that are acceptable to our diverse communities as well as several provisions that we cannot support.

While the UCTP recognizes and appreciates that the Declaration text contains provisions that uphold and affirm for example our right to self-determination, land and natural resources, free prior informed consent, Treaties, and other inherent rights, we also recognize and are greatly concerned that final changes to the text were completed without the direct participation of Indigenous Peoples.

With this in mind and recalling the great sacrifices of Indigenous Peoples who have worked tirelessly toward the adoption of a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples over the past 25 years, Caribbean Indigenous Peoples join in solidarity with our Indigenous relatives from around the world by not opposing the presentation of the modified text of the Declaration by the co-sponsoring states for adoption by the UNGA. This position is also based on the expressed commitment from the co-sponsors and African states to block any additional amendments which weaken or undermine the Declaration during the General Assembly vote or afterwards.

In addition, we express our profound appreciation to the many states, especially the Caribbean states, who will vote in support of the Declaration today. The UCTP will also note and call attention to those who will oppose it and we urge these states to re-consider their position in the spirit of partnership expressed in the theme of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

In closing, the UCTP, in solidarity with the leaders of Caribbean Indigenous Nations and organizations throughtout the region, looks forward to immediately undertaking the implementation of the Declaration, working in positive, harmonious collaboration with states and UN Bodies.

In the Spirit of Our Ancestors,
Roberto Múkaro Borrero,
President and Chairman,
UCTP Office of International Relations
and Regional Coordination

TAINO TV NETWORK LAUNCHED

UCTP Taino News - In collaboration with Presencia Taina TV, and Indigenous Peoples Literature, the United Confederation of Taino People has announced the launching of the TAINO TV Network. This historic project, which uses new media outreach mechanisms such as You Tube will assist the UCTP in its focus on using communications technology to increase the visibility of the Taino and other Caribbean Indigenous Peoples internationally.

"From the new Taino TV site as well as other media launch points already developed such as Presencia Taina TV, we will be providing visual services never before available to our community and others who are interested in cultural heritage of the Caribbean region" stated Roger Atihuibancex Hernandez, founder of the Presencia Taina TV project. Viewers can now long into Taino TV at can view and subscribe to Taino TV at http://www.youtube.com/Tainotv .