Investiture Ceremony for Guainía Kasike

New York (UCTP Taíno News) - On Sunday June 24 2012, the President of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), Roberto "Mukaro Agueibaná" Borrero's title of Kasike (chief) was blessed by elders and medicine people of the Guainía Taíno Tribe and other Taíno communities from Borikén (Puerto Rico) and the diaspora.

The ceremony took place at the chief's home in New York and follows a previous, private blessing ceremony that took place in Borikén. Kasike Borrero was presented and accepted the title of Kasike by a group of elder community women in 2006 under the condition that community members would reaffirm the position via election at a later date.

A main impetus for the investiture ceremony was the presentation of a new gold guanin (chief medallion) to Kasike Borrero, which bears the official symbol of the Taíno iukaieke (community)  Guainía. Community members gathered the resources required and commissioned the making of the guainin for this historic presentation. 

After presentations by several bibino (grandmothers) such as Vanessa Pastrano and Mildred Karaira Gandia, Behike (ceremonial leader) Miguel Sobaoko Koromo Sague conducted part of the closing ceremonies in cooperation with Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle Beike and Guainía member Domingo Turey Hernandez.  

A number of other prominent figures of the contemporary Taino Resurgence movement were also in attendance, including Kasike Roman Guaraguaorix of Yukayeke Maisiti and Guainía member Nani Morales, first runner-up for Miss Indian World. Supporting the ceremony were a number of Northern Native American dignitaries including Chief Osceola Townsend of the Matinecock Nation of New York, among others. 

UCTPTN 06/25/2012

Peace and Dignity Fundraiser

Saturday, July 07 2012, 6:30pm - 10:00pm

FROM AREYTO TO HIP HOP

Featuring Music, Poetry, & Dance of the

Indigenous People of the Caribbean

~ Saturday, July 7th, 2012 ~



featuring

- Chilo from El Grito de Poetas

- The Expressive Dance of Milteri Tucker

- The Taino Music of Roberto Mukaro Borrero with members of Kasibahagua

- Percussionist Anibal Collazo Jr.

- The Poetry of White Heron Woman

- Photography"Ancestral Footsteps" by Amy Majagua'naru Ponce

- Taino Indians Mini Museum

- DJ "MUSIC-BY-YOKO"

- Native Arts & Crafts, Prize Raffle Drawing, & More

Doors Open at 6:30pm

Tickets $12 in advance by July 2nd

$15 at the door

$10 with Student ID or UCTP affiliate ID


Venue: The Brecht Forum,
451 West Street New York, NY 10014

For more information contact:
718-549-5677 or 347-242-0516
http://brechtforum.org/directions

Arawak Art Work Presented to Tribal Link Executive Director

Tribal Link Director Pamela Kraft receives a sculpture from the Eagle Clan Arawaks and the United Confederation of Taino People. In photo from left to right: Pamela Kraft, Roberto Borrero, Damon Corrie and Tai AnaYuisa Pellicier

United Nations, NY (UCTP Taino News) – An exquisite work of contemporary Lokono Arawak art was presented to Tribal Link’s Executive Director, Pamela Kraft, during the 11^th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in May. The piece, a wooden sculpture of a female leader, was carved by acclaimed Lokono artist Foster Simon.  The piece was presented to Kraft jointly by the Eagle Clan Arawaks and the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP). 

“Pamela Kraft has selflessly given of her time and effort to promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” stated UCTP President Roberto Mukaro Borrero. “She has continuously worked hard to provide a space for Indigenous Peoples to speak for themselves at the United Nations and other forums, presenting this special gift is a way for us to acknowledge her important work, and to say thank you.” 

The presentation of the sculpture was made during Tribal Link’s Project Access 2012 Training Session.  Project Access supports indigenous peoples’ participation in international meetings and conferences where decisions are being made that affect their rights, cultures and livelihoods.  Project Access is designed to provide support for the effective participation of 15-20 indigenous peoples from around the world at the UNPFII. Their participation begins with a three-day training session prior to the Forum's opening. 

“Simon’s sculpture represents a female leader, a chief,” noted Damon Corrie, the leader of the Eagle Clan Arawaks and the Pan Tribal Confederacy of Indigenous Tribal Nations. “To us Pamela is a leader and a chief of this session, we are very grateful to her, and all the Tribal Link staff for their commitment to Indigenous Peoples and to the Project Access students in particular.” 

Additional sculptures created by Foster Simon are featured in the Presidential collections of Guyana, Bolivia and Venezuela, and have been exhibited at the United Nations

UCTPTN 06.08.2012