Taino Confederation Joins Native Response to Washington's Team's 'Thorough Review' of Name

UCTP Taíno News - Native Leaders sent a letter to National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell on July 6 responding to the Washington team's announced review of their racist name. The letter called for the immediate discontinuation of the name and eradication of all Native names, logos, and mascots throughout the League.

By July 10, over 1500 signatories signed on to the communication, including over 100 Native-led organizations as well as tribal leaders, actors, artists, poets, journalists, lawyers, judges, elected leaders, business leaders, investors, philanthropists, state representatives, religious leaders, executive directors from over 70 organizations, professors and students from over 50 universities, and private citizens. 

Among the signatories was the United Confederation of Taíno People. The Confederation has long been concerned about the issue of racist stereotypes and in 2011, submitted testimony to a U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on the issue. 

In a recent Adweek article, Roberto Múkaro Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taíno People stated "Violence comes in many forms, some more subtle than others. Indigenous Peoples are not your mascots.” 

UCTPTN 07/13/2020

Taíno Confederation and CADO report COVID-19 impacts to United Nations

United Nations (Geneva) – The United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) and the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization (CADO) submitted a report to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Francisco Cali Tzay (Maya). The Special Rapporteur issued a call for submissions earlier this year and will present his report to the 75th session of the General Assembly in October 2020. 

 The joint UCTP/CADO submission is posted on the webpage of the Special Rapporteur and highlighted that “Indigenous Peoples are largely invisible in the insular Caribbean and there are no measures that have been taken to protect the lands, territories, and resources of indigenous peoples against invasions and land-grabbing by external actors during the pandemic,” among other issues. 

UCTP 07/02/2020