Honoring Veterans Pow Wow held at Pequot Museum in Connecticut

UCTP Liaison Angel Ortiz (at right) with Taíno community members, elder Julio Gonzalez and George Alcoba, the brother and nephew of the late elder UCTP representative, Hector Baracutey Gonzalez. 

Mashantucket, CT (UCTP Taíno News) – The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center in Mashantucket, CT held its annual “Honoring Veterans Pow Wow” on Saturday, November 9, 2019. The event honored veterans with traditional song, dance, and arts. 

Attending the Pow Wow for the 7th consecutive year, representing the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), was Angel Lionheart Ortiz, a UCTP Liaison Officer for Connecticut. Ortiz has consistently participated in this Pow Wow’s grand entry bearing the flag of the Confederation. Ortiz, who is on active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard, dedicated his participation this year to the memory of Taíno elder Hector “Baracutey” Gonzalez and as a prayer offering for fellow UCTP Officer Tai Pelli who sustained injuries from a recent auto accident. 

To further thank honor and thank service members, the Museum offered a complimentary meal of succotash or chowder and corn cakes or frybread to veterans/active duty military and a guest. The event was also free for veterans and museum members. 

UCTPTN 11/10/2019

Special Screening of Women of the White Buffalo in Boston

Chali'naru Dones (at left), Deborah Anderson, and Darlene Flores at the screening of Women of the White Buffalo

Boston, Massachusetts (UCTP Taino News) – A special private screening of Deborah Anderson's documentary film "Women of the White Buffalo" was held at Leica Store & Gallery Boston on Saturday, November 9, 2019. 

According to the filmmaker, the intention of this film is to shine a light on Indigenous Women and include their voices in this current wave of global Women’s resistance. The film also seeks to inspire the next generation of Native Americans to remember who they are and utilize their own ancient wisdom in the much-needed healing of their communities. The screening was also an educational opportunity for non-Native people to learn from this beautiful and powerful culture and confront the forces that perpetuate inequality and historical racism causing separation among peoples. 

The film provides an intimate look into the lives of 8 women, ranging in age from 10 to 98, who deliver harrowing testimonials of loss and survival while providing direct insight into what it is to be a modern Native American. With the inclusion of current statistics along with historical accounts, the audience can track how these present-day conditions came to be. 

Attending the event were two Taíno community members, Chali'naru Dones and Darlene Flores. Dones, who is also a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People, was asked by Anderson to give an opening prayer for this special event. While Dones shared the prayer in the Taíno language, Flores offered the English translation. 

 UCTPTN 11/10/2019