Taíno Confederation calls for Investigation into Archeological Site Destruction

Luquillo, Borikén (Puerto Rico) – In a recent communication to the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture, the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) called for an investigation to determine the damage to an Indigenous archeological site in Luquillo. The UCTP was made aware of the issue after a video report made by advocate Eliezer Molina surfaced on social media. Molina’s video documents extensive damage to ancient pottery as a road was being made into the area's wetlands. 

In the communication to Nancy Santiago, Director, Archeological and Ethnohistory Program at the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture (ICP), the Confederation stated the site was “considered of significant cultural importance to Taíno Peoples and archeologically.” 

Upon initial inquiry, the UCTP has so far determined that the damage caused by heavy machinery is linked to developer Federico Stubbe. The construction is related to a proposed hotel tied to the Marriott company.

“The UCTP is calling on the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and the government of Puerto Rico to implement the applicable laws for the protection of cultural patrimony in Puerto Rico and immediately halt the construction,” said R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero, President, United Confederation of Taíno People. He continued, stating that “the Confederation is also calling for an in-depth cultural and environmental impact study, including an assessment of the damage, and of the legality of the construction permitting process.” 

The UCTP’s communication to the ICP also notes that what is occurring in Luquillo is a “recurring tragedy on the island as development projects are continuously fast-tracked” regardless of the damage to the archeological record or the concerns of Taíno Peoples. “UCTP representatives are in touch with and support local protests concerning the site. A group of concerned individuals have set up a camp near the area called Campamiento Cangrejo,” stated Tai Pelli, UCTP Human Rights and International Relations Officer. “They have also established a petition that the UCTP supports. 

Evidence shows that the archeological site is connected to wetlands that were protected for decades. The damage could be in violation of several laws including Puerto Rican Public Law 112, July 20th, 1988, which is supposed to protect archaeological sites. Additionally, the damage documented by Molina and others appears to violate U.S. Federal Laws including the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, Section 404, which is the primary vehicle for Federal regulation of activities that occur in wetlands.

For more information, contact oirrc@uctp.org

Confederación Taíno pide una Investigación sobre Destrucción de Sitio Arqueológico

Luquillo, Borikén (Puerto Rico) – En un comunicado reciente al Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (ICP), la Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno, CUPT (UCTP, por sus siglas en inglés) pidió una investigación para que se determine el daño a un sitio arqueológico indígena en Luquillo. La CUPT fue alertada sobre el hecho a través de un video del defensor Eliezer Molina que surgió en las redes sociales. El video de Molina documenta daño extensivo de alfarería antigua, según se va construyendo una carretera hacia las áreas de humedales.

En la comunicación dirigida a la Sra. Nancy Santiago, Directora del Programa de Arqueología y Etnohistoria del ICP, la Confederación declaró que "considera este lugar como uno de gran importancia cultural para el Pueblo Taíno, como arqueológicamente."

Tras una investigación inicial, y hasta ahora, la CUPT ha identificado que el daño causado por equipo pesado está vinculado al desarrollador Federico Stubbe. La construcción está relacionada a un propuesto hotel vinculado a la compañía Marriott.

“La Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno hace un llamado al Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña y al gobierno de Puerto Rico a utilizar las leyes correspondientes para la protección del patrimonio cultural en Puerto Rico y a detener de inmediato la construcción”- dijo R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero Presidente de la Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno. Seguidamente declaró que “la Confederación también está pidiendo a que se conduzca un estudio de impacto a profundidad incluyendo la evaluación de los daños ambientales y culturales así como la legalidad del proceso de permisología de dicha construcción.”

La comunicación de la CUPT al ICP también denota que lo que está ocurriendo en Luquillo es “una tragedia recurrente en la isla ya que los proyectos de desarrollo son continuamente acelerados por vía rápida” independientemente del daño al archivo arqueológico ni a las inquietudes del Pueblo Taíno.

“Representantes de la CUPT estamos en comunicación y apoyamos las protestas locales relacionadas con este lugar. Un grupo de ciudadanos ha establecido un campamento en el área, llamado Campamento Cangrejo.” indicó Tai Pelli, Oficial de Relaciones Internacionales y Derechos Humanos de la CUPT. “También se ha establecido una petición en línea la cual la CUPT apoya.” 

La evidencia demuestra que el sitio arqueológico está conectado a humedales que han sido protegidos por décadas. El daño pudiera estar en violación de varias leyes, incluyendo la ley Pública PR 112 del 20 de julio de 1988, la cual se supone proteja los sitios arqueológicos. Por otra parte, el daño documentado por Molina y otros aparenta violar leyes federales de E.E.U.U. incluyendo la Ley sobre Especies Amenazadas y la Ley de Agua Limpia, sección 404, la cual es la medida primordial de la regulación federal sobre algunas de las actividades que ocurren en los humedales. 

Para obtener más información, communíquese con oirrc@uctp.org

Indigenous Mona Island Rock Art Dated By Researchers

Photo courtesy of University of Leicester

Mona Island (UCTP Taíno News) - Researchers documented pre-Hispanic rock art in a vast cave system on Mona. According to Hannah Osbourne at Newsweek, the works date back to at least the 13th century. The research was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. The study includes the first dates for the rock art and speculative interpretations of some of the thousands of drawings and etchings found in the island’s 30 cave systems. Mona is the third-largest island of the Puerto Rican archipelago, after the main island of Borikén (Puerto Rico) and Bieke (Vieques).

UCTPTN 12/04/2021

Taíno Confederation Condemns Christies Auction House

A Taíno amulet among pieces to be auctioned by Christie's Auction House

UCTP Taíno News - Taíno community members have expressed outrage upon learning that the renowned Christies' Auction House will be auctioning off "Taíno Masterworks" in collaboration with France's Musee de l’Homme on November 10, 2021. An online petition calling for a halt to the auction and a return of the sacred items has garnered substantial visibility of the issue with thousands of signatories and mainstream press coverage. Individual community members have taken to the internet to support the call to stop the sale and for the repatriation of the cultural items. 

The United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) has expressed public support for the petition and condemned Christie's for facilitating these sales.  In a communication sent to Christie's representative, Fatma Turkkan-Wille, UCTP President, R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero stated: 

"The UCTP condemns these auction plans and demands a halt to the scheduled proceedings. The UCTP further calls upon the seller to immediately enter into a dialogue with Taíno leadership and the Government of the Dominican Republic to plan an appropriate repatriation process." 

The UCTP communication further states that the pending sale is "a violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples." 

UCTPTN 11082021

Taíno Honor the Indigenous Siwanoy at Clason Point

Taíno community members manifesting Bronx Indigenous Futurisms at Snakapins.
Photo by Kaxhyêk 

Bronx, NY (UCTP Taíno News) – On October 9, a diverse group gathered at Clason Point Park peninsula in the Bronx, NY to pay homage to the Siwanoy with a land acknowledgment ceremony, storytelling, and music. The gathering was led by Taíno community member Caridad de la Luz, also known as La Bruja, in collaboration with Pepatián: Bronx Arts Collaborative. The program manifested under the title “Bronx Indigenous Futurisms” and sought to raise the visibility of Clason Point’s Indigenous history as well as acknowledge “Indigenous Peoples Day.” Clason Point, known to the Siwanoy as "Snakapins," was the site of a large American Indian settlement comprising more than seventy dwellings.

Caridad de la Luz

 Leading the ceremonial portion of the gathering was Behike Miguel Sague, a   founder of the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle. Sagua's Taíno lineage   originates in Cuba. Elder Sague is also the United Confederation of Taíno   People’s Ambassador to Cuba. Lonnie Harrington, of Seminole heritage,   was  also a featured presenter who also shared songs that encouraged those   gathered to join the circle and dance.

 Also addressing the gathering by invitation was the President of the United   Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero who   attend with his spouse, Joselyn Borrero (Tlingit). Borrero, who is also a   Kasike (chief) of the Guainía Taíno Tribe, presented a special gift to Caridad   de la Luz in recognition of her efforts and on behalf of the UCTP.

The program also featured an installation dedicated to Indigenous Women and a plaque dedicated to the Siwanoy was added to one of the park benches overlooking the water, which is the confluence of the Bronx and East Rivers.

 UCTPTN 10112021

Taíno community members will present at Indigenous Peoples Day NYC

Members of the Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society. Photo courtesy of the New York Times

New York, NY (UCTP Taíno News) - The Seventh Annual Indigenous Peoples Day NYC commemoration will take place on Randall's Island on October 10th from 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM - October 11th from 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM. The Indigenous-organized and Indigenous-led event will feature cultural performances, guest speakers, artists vendors, a pop-up fashion show, and a nighttime concert. On Sunday, there also will be a sunrise ceremony followed by a water ceremony. 

Among the cultural presentations featured at the event will be a presentation by members of the Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society on Sunday. At the evening concert on Saturday, Brother Mikey, a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe will share his music. 

"Music is leading me back to my indigenous Taino roots and back to the Mother Earth" said Brother Mikey. 

The organizers of the event are requesting donations. The United Confederation of Taíno People is one of the official co-sponsors of Indigenous Peoples Day NYC. 

UCTPTN 10082021

Newton, Massachusetts to celebrate its first Indigenous Peoples Day

Chali'naru Dones and Dr. Darlene Flores, co-founders of Indigenous Peoples Day Newton

Newton, Massachusetts (UCTP Taíno News) - Following a legislative recent action by the Newtown City Council, a committee has been formed to organize and commemorate the first annual Indigenous Peoples Day in Newton, MA. Co-founding the organizing committee are two Taíno women, Chali’naru Dones, a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe, and Dr. Darlene Flores of the Higuayagua Union. 

“It is very encouraging and a source of pride to see Taíno women taking a lead on Indigenous Peoples Day in Newton” stated R. Múkaro Borrero, President, United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP). “The Confederation supported Newton’s official recognition of Indigenous People Day and presented testimony during the public hearing process.” 

The United Confederation of Taíno People is an official co-sponsor of the Indigenous Peoples Day, Newton, which will take place on October 11, 2021, at Albemarle Park in Newtown from 12-5:00 PM. Tai Pelli, a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People, is confirmed as a keynote speaker.  

Indigenous Peoples Day in Newton promises to be a family-oriented cultural and spiritual celebration featuring musical, dance, and spoken word performances. The organizers are also planning a Talking Circle facilitated by Indigenous elders, immersive educational cultural exhibits, and a market featuring Indigenous artists and community groups. 

Donations are being accepted to support the program and its associated costs.

UCTPTN

2nd Word's Conference of Indigenous Women

UCTP Taíno News - The first World Conference of Indigenous Women took place in-person in Lima, Peru, but this year, in August, the conference will be held online out of concern for the health of all participants and observers. The conference begins on August 12 and will be held every Thursday in August  (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM) and end on September 2, 2021 (7AM - 10AM). Participants will discuss violence and reproductive health, education initiatives, climate justice, the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and economic empowerment.

The conference aims to bring together Indigenous women from seven socio-cultural regions including Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Arctic, and the Americas. Tai Pelli, International Relations and Human Rights Officer for the United Confederation of Taíno People is a member of the Conference organizing committee. During the last session, elder Vivian Guara'naru DuMont of the Guainía Taíno Tribe is scheduled to provide a prayer for the last session. 

If you are an Indigenous woman, you can register as a participant, by visiting the registration page here. Non-Indigenous women can register as observers, by visiting the registration page here. The full agenda can be viewed by clicking here.  

UCTPTN 08.11.2021

Decolonizing Indigenous Grounds

By Nichole Bodin, MPA

The Effect of Indigenous National Parks in Modern History 

The Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center in Utuado is one of the Caribbean's most important Taíno archeological sites.

Artifacts created by Indigenous Peoples are an essential part of any basic archaeological research necessary for sociocultural and historic reattachment. In this modern era, there is incredibly limited information in relation to most Taíno historical aspects and our Indigenous ancestor’s circle of life dated before colonial times. Because of that, material cultural studies of Indigenous heritage are underappreciated. In order to understand the history of Borikén (Puerto Rico), which began over 6,000 years ago, worldwide recognition is needed to diffuse the authentic revelation that the so-called New World had an organized and complex society with an enriched culture. 

During the 1950s, the idea of a Caribbean sociocultural evolution intrigued some American archaeologists like Gordon Childe, Robert Redfield, Julian Stewart, and Leslie White. Their works manifested different and diverse points of view. A great number of North Americans traced sequence units of sociocultural development and they called them archaeological epochs, levels, or stages. A decade later, new studies by Herbert Spencer and Lewis Henry Morgan added advanced dimensions with regard to the understanding of the processes involved. For the past 20 years, some evolution and classification models have been deeply criticized, causing investigators to use alternative terminology. These topics related to artifacts (also called material culture) have to help to define educational and intellectual concepts in fields like visual arts, literature, architecture, urban design, and traditional popular culture. 

But somehow, the pre-colonial or pre-Colombian history of Borikén and the Antilles are still a part of practical connections of production styles that are artistic guesses over artifact interpretation. These interpretations are based on research made without any type of verification concerning their social and practical uses within the archaeological findings. As a result, the historic framework used in National Parks during their conceptualization process should have adopted a greater responsible vision to inform, preserve and interpret a more complete structure of the complexity of the human experience. This would assist in the comprehension of the past in a more coherent and intelligent manner that respects our ancestorial community and their legacy. The majority of the scholastic approaches have only allowed moldable flexibility for archaeological researchers for easy identification of a specific region into supposedly appropriate descriptions based on race interaction, ethnicity, class, and genre (in and between topics) within the broader timeline of Caribbean studies. 

The historic designation of Indigenous National Parks in Borikén falls into the same category with regard to their legitimacy in relation to the jurisdictional lines that this colony suffered at hands of Spain and the USA for hundreds of years. For instance, some of the cultural assessments for historic buildings and sites and their designations don't consider the strong relationship that a National Park has with state-sponsored museum projects. Even though these are two different aspects of historic conservation, parks and museums are bound together and their current status with local community involvement is crucial for their sustainability. 

The area that stands out as the most important restored archaeological site in Puerto Rico is located in the Caguana neighborhood of Utuado, formerly known as Capá, a part of a region of important indigenous archaeological remains. The Caguana Ceremonial Center park consists of 10 restored bateys surrounded by a variety of stones with petroglyphs. It was rediscovered as a part of an archaeological project, with a survey done at the beginning of the XX century that was sponsored by academia and its institutional scholars from the Scientific Survey of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This project was organized by Dr. Franz Boaz. This study was intended to create an inventory site from 1200 AD with different aspects of the recently acquired American colony. Because of that, current ongoing concerns about the possible lack of efforts for investigation, accompanied by the high precipitation conditions that affect the sites located at the mountainous inner center of the Island make preservation efforts deeply overlooked. The progressive deterioration of the remaining material culture found in these areas is an ongoing, unresolved topic. Caguana is an important region because it is considered that it has significant cultural resources that not only could provide clues about the social and political developments, but also it can be eligible for potential recognition within the framework of worldwide historic places. 

On July 25th, 2005, the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) and other local Indigenous groups manifested their cultural concerns with disgust regarding the deteriorating condition and management of the park to the administration of the Caguana Ceremonial Center. The Taíno people called this historic action "El Grito de Caguana" and demanded social justice for the restrictions that were imposed at the Center including their policies related to the restrained use of the site during certain hours. This resulted in a peaceful 17-day protest and hunger strike that brought international attention to the conditions that were perpetuated by maintaining colonial dependency on historic antiquity. As the issues of genocide and dominant colonialism emerged during these firm protests, the real question is why these burial grounds aren't protected from certain development damages while the real descendants of the ancestors fight for the proper preservation and protection of the site. The ideal effort for cultural recognition would be a more active public involvement that fights for constant renewal and strong revival for Indigenous parks in Borikén. But what about the restoration of museums and the historic designation that does not involve any acquisition of resources for reexamining history after colonial genocide? What kind of jobs are created in order to continue and remodel an obsolete model created by an alteration of events that needs recovery and systematic healing? 

Caguana is not the largest ceremonial center, nor the only one to display petroglyphs, but it is undoubtedly unique in the Caribbean. It is located on a small terrace adjacent to the upper reaches of the Tanamá River, in the central-western mountain range, west of Utuado in Borikén. When facing to the South, it borders the igneous-plutonic massifs typical of the area, while to the North it faces unique karst formations with conical tertiary limestone dotted with small details. The 22 petroglyphs of the principal plaza has zoomorphic traits that can symbolize the ancestors of the chiefs and can be related to the sociopolitical activities done there. An in-depth study about the sociocultural aspects of the petroglyphs and artifacts that are at Caguana's museum could reestablish the lost identity of those affected by the everlasting colonialism that has perpetuated through the continuous cultural exploitation that the Caribbean still suffers. 

A way to accomplish real social justice for the victims of slavery, genocide, and racial discrimination in the Caribbean is to create new discussions on Caribbean reparations that approach the problem within the Taíno context due to the ongoing violation of Indigenous rights. How the State responds to its liable responsibility of Indigenous rights matters is more about the obsolete jurisdiction laws of land management. This situation has created a dilemma regarding the genocidal stigma and abusive exploitations, which continue to be committed against Indigenous Peoples by the same States who are alleging to represent them. The concept of national patrimony has to be revisited. The only way that academia can help resolve their ongoing misappropriation within their museum curation is by acknowledging past wrongs with a deeper process that involves ‘cultural reparations’ and community involvement.

Nichole Bodin has a Masters in Caribbean Archelogy from the Center of Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. 

Taíno Confederation joins the opposition to U.S. interference in Mexico’s phaseout of glyphosate and GM corn

Washington, DC (UCTP Taíno News) - Today, 80 U.S. organizations delivered a letter to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai, opposing the interference by U.S. government officials and agribusiness interests in Mexico’s planned phaseout of glyphosate and genetically modified corn. Signatories to the letter included representatives of Indigenous Peoples, American farmers, workers, consumers, public healths, sustainable agriculture, and other food systems research and advocacy groups. Further, over 6,900 petition signatures from concerned individuals were delivered as well. 

As revealed by a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the Center for Biological Diversity, under the Trump administration, public officials at USTR and USDA strategized with agrochemical industry representatives from CropLIfe America and Bayer AG (which produces glyphosate) on ways to urge the Mexican government to rescind its policy decisions. After, USTR warned Mexico’s Minister of Economy that Mexico’s action threatened the “strength of our bilateral relationship.” 

The United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) and the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization (CADO) were signatories to the letter. UCTP President and CADO Co-President, R. Múkaro Borrero stated, "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world the importance of food security and food sovereignty at national and local levels. Moving toward a right relationship with food and the Earth should be at the top of our global priorities. Other countries should follow Mexico’s example for the phaseout. If you claim to care about the present and future generations, there is no sane reason to be in opposition." 

The joint letter and petition to USTR and USDA urged that the agencies should respect Mexico’s sovereignty and refrain from interfering with its right to enact its own protective policies. The U.S. groups and individuals echoed concerns from agricultural and civil society organizations in Mexico:

"We reject the pressure from corporations such as Bayer-Monsanto — and their CropLife trade association — which are working in both the United States and Mexico to undermine the presidential decree that phases out the use of glyphosate and transgenic corn," declared Fernando Bejarano, director of Pesticide Action Network in Mexico (RAPAM).

Bejarano went on to explain, “We are part of the No Maize No Country Campaign, a broad coalition of peasant organizations, non-profit NGOs, academics and consumers, which support the presidential decree and fight for food sovereignty with the agroecological transformation of agricultural systems that guarantee the right to produce and consume healthy, nutritious food, free of pesticides and transgenics.”

UCTPTN 04.30.2021

Pueblo Taíno ignorado por el Ministerio de Cultura de la República Dominicana sobre asunto de Repatriación del Semí de Algodón Taíno en Italia

Comunicado de Prensa para difusión inmediata - Pueblo Taíno ignorado por el Ministerio de Cultura de la República Dominicana sobre asunto de Repatriación del Semí de Algodón Taíno en Italia

27 de abril de 2021 - La Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno, junto a varias Organizaciones representativas del Pueblo Taíno interesadas en colaborar con el proceso de Repatriación Internacional del Sagrado Semí de Algodón ubicado en Italia nos dirigimos a la Ministra de Cultura de la República Dominicana, la Sra. Carmen Heredia Vda. de Guerrero en comunicación por escrito y enviada a través de correo electrónico el día 23 de febrero de este año.
Se esperó un tiempo razonable, y sin embargo no recibimos respuesta de nadie de dicha oficina ni a través del mensaje que se le había enviado por Twitter a la Sra. Ministra.
“...Afirmando además que todas las doctrinas, políticas y prácticas basadas en la superioridad de determinados pueblos o individuos o que la propugnan aduciendo razones de origen nacional o diferencias raciales, religiosas, étnicas o culturales son racistas, científicamente falsas, jurídicamente inválidas, moralmente condenables y socialmente injustas, Reafirmando que, en el ejercicio de sus derechos, los pueblos indígenas deben estar libres de toda forma de discriminación, Preocupada por el hecho de que los pueblos indígenas han sufrido injusticias históricas como resultado, entre otras cosas, de la colonización y de haber sido desposeídos de sus tierras, territorios y recursos, lo que les ha impedido ejercer, en particular, su derecho al desarrollo de conformidad con sus propias necesidades e intereses,
Reconociendo la urgente necesidad de respetar y promover los derechos intrínsecos de los pueblos indígenas, que derivan de sus estructuras políticas, económicas y sociales y de sus culturas, ….”
- Preámbulo de la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas
El 23 de marzo de 2021, considerándolo ya un tiempo más que razonable para contestarnos, volvimos a tratar de comunicarnos por teléfono y explicamos el motivo de nuestra comunicación y ahora con la preocupación de que nadie nos había respondido. Se nos indicó que el correo electrónico había sido pasado al Sr. Octavio Mejía, Director de Gabinete. El caballero aparentemente se encontraba de reunión y se le dejó recado para que se comunicara con nosotros. Se nos indicó que tan pronto saliera de su reunión se haría entrega del recado y que podíamos esperar su llamada esa tarde o al día siguiente. Nunca recibimos dicha llamada.
Hoy 27 de abril de 2021, volvimos a llamar y fuimos atendidos por recepción, expresamos nuevamente el asunto, la recepcionista tomó nuestros datos y razón de llamada para pasar el mensaje, y también nos hizo transferencia a la oficina de la Ministra. No hubo nadie que respondiera, ni oportunidad para dejar mensaje grabado.
Nuestra comunidad Taíno lleva ya más de dos meses tratando de establecer un diálogo con la Oficina de la Ministra de Cultura de la República Dominicana para tratar un tema de extrema importancia para nuestro Pueblo y de un proceso al cual tenemos derecho de acuerdo a la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas y la cual el mismo estado miembro, la República Dominicana, presentó junto a otros estados miembros ante la Asamblea General de la ONU, y endosó.
Recurrimos por esta razón a la prensa con el único deseo de traer enfoque a los derechos del Pueblo Indígena Taíno y para integrarnos en un esfuerzo colaborativo y como partícipes del proceso de repatriación internacional que incluya los mecanismos internacionales disponibles a los Pueblos Indígenas como lo pudiera ser el Mecanismo de Expertos sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas de las Naciones Unidas, entre otros.

Para mayor información favor de comunicarse con Tai Pelli, Oficial de Relaciones Internacionales y Derechos Humanos de la Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno,

taipelli21@gmail.com ó (321)444-1386.

Volcano eruptions in St. Vincent Creating a Humanitarian Crisis

Ash coats a hillside on St. Vincent on April 11, 2021. (Photo by UWI-Seismic Research Centre, Prof. Robertson)

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (UCTP Taino News) - La Soufrière, a volcano on the Caribbean Island of St. Vincent began a series of intense eruptions last Friday. For close to a week, subsequent eruptions have covered the island in volcanic ash. Super-heated gas and lava flows have gushed down the mountainside. Thousands of residents in the affected “Red Zone” area are now displaced or have been evacuated. A humanitarian crisis is now emerging as islanders are left without clean water and electricity. Several news sources are reporting that government officials fear the situation will also exacerbate the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These are the times we need to be ready to support our relatives” stated Irvince Auguiste, a co-President of the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization (CADO). Auguiste is a member of the Kalinago (Carib) Nation of Dominica and a former Chief of the territory. He continued by stating “CADO and the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) will be collaborating on a relief effort for the Indigenous Kalinago community and others in St. Vincent.”

The dome of the volcano was completely destroyed during the periodic eruptions. Reports estimate that more than 460 million cubic tons of earth and rock have jettisoned into the atmosphere from the eruptions. The wind is carrying the volcanic ash to St. Vincent’s island neighbors such as Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Lucia. Eruptions and seismic activity are expected to continue over the next few days.

UCTPTN 04/15/2021

Dr. Erica Mercado Moore Join appointed UCTP Liaison Officer in South Dakota

South Dakota (UCTP Taíno News) - The United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) has appointed Erica Mercado Moore as a UCTP Liaison Officer in the State of South Dakota. Dr. Moore is a community member of Iukaieke Guainía and South Dakota State University's American Indian Student Center Director. She began her work at SDSU in July 2019 after spending four years as the chief academic officer at the Lower Brule Community College.

"We are very excited to welcome Dr. Moore as part of our leadership community. Her passion and experience in supporting American Indian students in higher education will greatly assist the Confederation in its work at the local, national, and international level," stated R. Múkaro Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taíno People. 

Moore earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maryland University College and a master’s degree in history from the American Military University. She completed her doctorate from Northcentral University in 2016.

UCTPTN 03/03/2021

When the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman is a Taíno Woman

By Tai Pelli

We have all been part of the Awareness Campaigns for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Many of our ituno (sisters) have been very active; just yesterday our itu Claudia Fox Tree, UCTP Liaison Officer for Massachusetts,  posted a picture on her social media page wearing a beautiful red and black outfit bringing awareness to the MMIW. 

Little did I know that early this morning I would learn that one of our own, Andrea Evita “Vita” Reyes, had been murdered on December 27th, 2020, purportedly, at the hands of an ex-boyfriend who was on parole for his already existing criminal record. 

It was not until yesterday that one of our Taíno ituno, Katt Vázquez Alicea, learned about the passing of whom she considered a good friend and Tribal sister; having shared beautiful moments together, including visiting our beloved Borikén (Puerto Rico) the summer of 2019. They said “presente” during the “Ricky Renuncia” Movement, where Borikuas and Puerto Ricans successfully demanded the resignation of the then Governor, Ricky Roselló.  

As I attempted to connect with other Tribal relatives that also knew our itu, one of our brothers wondered: “Why are our women not considered when speaking about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women?” It made me think of our Taíno ituno that have disappeared and/or have been murdered. Especially after Hurricanes Irma and María, where they vanished and no one has ever either found their bodies or heard from them. Leaving behind the pain to those who truly loved them and are thirsty for answers that seldom come. 

The reality is that while our Taíno people go and join efforts to defend other Indigenous Relatives and their challenges in other places, I am not finding the same type of support and/or inclusion when it is us that are facing the challenges. I understand colonialism all too well, and I am also aware that the school system continues to show us as an extinct Peoples, although everyone truly knows we have been here all along, with the exception of the colonial and euro-centric people  who while seeing us right in front of their noses, prefer to see us as anything but an “indi@”. 

Obvious and suspicious deaths are either categorized as “suicide”, when logic itself tells us that it was a homicide, yet in our case, there are never enough police to investigate nor money to pay someone who will make a difference. So, we continue to mourn our loved ones, feeling like besides grieving the death of our loved one, we have to recover from the punch in the gut delivered by the system itself.

No, familia, it is time to speak up and I am so saddened that it took the vile and vicious murder of our itu Andrea to face this reality of us, as a Peoples. We can no longer afford being invisible to our own relations. The “fighting terrorism since 1492” began with our Taíno Ancestors in the Caribbean. While we suffered a terrible genocide at the hands of the Europeans and eventually via the Environmental Violence that our people have been subjected to later and by others, we had survivors in all of our islands and ancestral territory. We are the descendants of those who survived. Our Women have risen just like other Indigenous sisters have. Our Love, respect, gratitude, and honor to our Culture, Great Spirit Yaya, and ancestors has never ceased. It is time to be visible, to count, to do way more than to repeat tirelessly: “We are still here!”

While I understand that no Tribal Nation deserves to be having to “become part” of the alarming situation of our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, it is important we do not leave any of our sisters out. Taíno Women are also falling victim to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Pandemic.

In memory of our beautiful itu Andrea Evita Reyes, now in Soraya.