Kasibahagua shares Taíno Culture in Massachusetts

Haverhill, MA (UCTP Taíno News) - The Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society shared two successful presentations at the 31st Annual Inter-Tribal Pow Wow hosted by the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA). The event took place September 7-8 at Plug Pond in Haverhill, Mass. The Pow Wow featured the songs and dances of Indigenous Peoples from throughout the Americas, as well as artisan vendors, food, an educational component, and canoe and kayak opportunities. 

An organizational member of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP), the Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society presented aspects of Taíno culture via dance and song, sharing stories and explanations of instruments and regalia. The group was lead by Kalichi'naru Lebron and featured an owl dance by Chali'naru Dones. 

In a related presentation, Claudia Fox Tree, M.Ed. (Yurumein Arawak), a board member of the MCNAA and a local Liaison Officer for the UCTP, led a featured educational component at the event.  Fox Tree held inter-active conversations both days for about 30 minutes with opportunities for Q & A after presentations that focused on inaccuracies and stereotypes about, as well as the contributions of Indigenous Peoples throughout history.  

UCTPTN 09/10/2019

UCTP Liaison Officer Fox Tree Presents Program on Stereotypes

UCTP Liaison Officer Claudia Fox Tree (at center in red) with members of
Marblehead's Indigenous Day Committee.

Marblehead, Massachusetts (UCTP Taíno News) - The Indigenous Peoples Day Committee of Marblehead invited UCTP Liaison Officer Claudia Fox Tree to present at a public program held the St. Andrews Church on April 29th. Fox Tree shared an activity about stereotypes, speaking for about an hour and 15 minutes on relevant history and reasons stereotypes are a problem. The program ended with 15 minutes of Q & A.

The event was well attended, and Fox Tree was able to distribute information and speak to people who attended the program to learn about their heritage or who were just interested in the subject. There were many elders in attendance. During the Q & A Fox Tree responded to various interesting topics and questions, including to persons who wanted to “focus on eliminating reservations and integrating indigenous peoples into the larger culture,” others who felt "everyone is an immigrant so why was IPD was needed,” and those who didn't think “one day was enough.”

Fox Tree also joined the group earlier the same day to raise awareness about Indigenous Peoples Day. Next week, Marblehead’s townspeople will vote on whether to change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

UCTPTN 04/30/29/2019

Claudia Fox Tree, UCTP Liaison, Speaks at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event

UCTP Liaison Officer Claudia Fox Tree at the World of Wellesley MLK event

Wellesley, MA (UCTP Taino News) - Claudia Fox Tree, an educator and a Liaison Officer for the United Confederation of Taíno People spoke at the World of Wellesley’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. event on January 21st, Martin Luther King Day. The event featured Ms. Fox Tree’s keynote address which highlighted the need for allies and an introduction into First Nations history including atrocities committed by Columbus and the contributions of Caribbean Indigenous Nations. The Kuumba Singers of Harvard College also performed. The World of Wellesley is an organization dedicated to making Wellesley, MA a welcoming community where diversity is celebrated. 

UCTPTN 01.23.2019

Caribbean Indigenous Peoples participate at Mashpee Pow Wow

In photo from left to right, Gustavo Cardona, Tataniki Dones, Chalinaru Dones, and Claudia Fox Tree were some of the Caribbean Indigenous Peoples present at the 96th Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow 

Historic Mashpee Wampanoag Territory, Massachusetts (UCTP Taíno News) – A contingent of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples participated at the 96^th annual Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow this past weekend from June 1-3 2017. Taíno and Arawak Tribal members joined this historic celebration of culture, traditions and heritage in solidarity with the Mashpee Wampanoag and other Indigenous Peoples from throughout the Northeast and beyond. The Pow Wow featured indigenous dancing, drumming, games, food, art, jewelry, wampum (beads made from quahog shells), gifts, crafts, and clothing. Drum and dance competitions also took place with United Confederation of Taíno People’s Massachusetts Liaison Officer, Claudia Fox Tree winning the “spot” dance and receiving a prize. This year’s Pow Wow theme was “Honoring Our Traditions” and several thousand visitors were received at the event over the weekend held at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth, MA.

UCTP Taíno News 07.03.2017

Taino Answer 8,000 Drum Call

UCTP Taino News – The Otomi Nation of Mexico has issued a call to “Indigenous First Nations, Peoples, Communities and Organizations of the World and all Humankind” in an effort to fulfill a prophecy that speaks of healing Mother Earth. Entitled the “Grand Ceremony of the 8,000 Sacred Drums”, Otomi spiritual leaders and allies will conduct a ceremony on March 21st 2008 at the Otomi Ceremonial center at 12noon, (local time) in the Temoaya, State of México.

In collaboration with the International Indigenous University, the Otomi have called for solidarity for this ceremony on previous occasions and this year, they have renewed their efforts to “begin a a true Healing of Mother Earth, of All the Species and of the Human Family”. The Otomi feel that the state of the Earth today represents a “total imbalance” and that there is a need to “re-unify” and “re-discover” our connection to the earth and “cosmic energy”. Taino leaders in Boriken (Puerto Rico) and the Diaspora have responded officially to the Otomi Nation, and have pledged solidarity with the 8,000 Drums event on Friday, March 21st.

Council and community members of the Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos will conduct ceremony at 12noon at the Jacanas Ceremonial Grounds in Ponce, Puerto Rico. This site has been the center of controversy since last year as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their contractor, New South Associates, continues to conduct work in the sacred area without consultation with the local indigenous community.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New South Associates have removed sacred artifacts from our island with no accountability” stated Elba Anaka Lugo of the Consejo. “These entities, supported by the government, continue to ignore the calls for dialogue.”

In solidarity with the Otomi as well as the event in Jacanas, council and community members of the Caney Quinto Mundo will also gather at 12noon on their 400 acre land base located in the island’s central mountain region in Orocovis, Puerto Rico.

In New York, members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society and Iukaieke Guaynia will gather in the Bronx with the Friends of Brook Park later that evening to unify with the Otomi’s purification ceremonies also occurring on the 21st and throughout the weekend. The Bronx ceremony will be led by Kasike Roberto Mukaro Borrero and will begin at 5:30pm at Brook Park located at 141st St. and Brook Ave. Participants are urged to arrive at 4pm to assist in the preparations.

“We felt it was important to honor and unify our traditions on this special day not only with drums but through the purification ceremony known by the Otomi as Temascal and by Taino as Kansi or Guanara” shared Borrero, who is also a representative of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP).

Another 8,000 Drums Ceremony will be held in Massachusetts and led by Claudia Fox Tree, a local representative of the UCTP. Fox Tree will begin her gathering at 2pm to link to the ceremony in Mexico at 12noon.

To participate in the ceremony at Jacanas, contact Elba Anaka Lugo at 1(787)568-1547. To participate in the ceremony in Orocovis, contact Awilda Lopez Molina at 787 867-2393. To participate in Massachusetts or New York, contact the UCTP at 1(212)604-4186. For more information on the Grand Ceremony of 8,000 Drums, visit the website at http://www.universidadindigena.org/uii/index.html.

Photo: Member of the Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos (Courtesy of Bohio de Attabey)

UCTPTN 03.19.2008

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).

Victory Cheers for Cheyenne FoxTree-Mcgrath

Bedford, Mass (UCTP Taino News) - Cheyenne FoxTree (Arawak) was part of the exceptional team effort which lead her team to victory in the Eastern State Pop Warner Cheerleading Competition at the Tsongas Arena in Massachusetts. In a day filled with great dancing, cheering, tumbling, and music, Cheyenne’s team competed against many great competitors who had already in their respective counties. Cheyenne and her “A-Team” will now advance to Regional Competition in one month in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cheyenne is the daughter of Claudia FoxTree, an educator, writer, artist and UCTP Liaison Officer in Massachusetts.


Claudia FoxTree and daughter Cheyenne victorious

at the Eastern State Pop Warner Cheerleading Competition

UCTP Taino News: Happy Birthdays to Community Members

UCTP Taino News: Happy Birthday wishes go out to all who celebrated birthdays in August especially those who did not receive mention in the Taino News like our esteemed UCTP President & Chairman, Roberto Mukaro Borrero... The "Voice" Staff wishes him the best of all things always. You can send him a belated birthday message at uctp_ny@yahoo.com

Now that September is upon us, the UCTP would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to our dear nitou (sister) Claudia Fox Tree (Sept. 1)... Claudia is our UCTP representative in Massachusetts and if you would like to send her a message, you can email her at cfoxtree@lincnet.org

The UCTP also wishes a very Happy Birthday to our dear nitou Evelyn Cruz Lear (Sept. 2)... Evelyn is our UCTP representative in NewJersey and if you would like to send her a message you can email her at thrive4joy@optonline.net

May the Creator continue to smile on these warriors who are in the front lines in defense of our ancient culture!

Not to forget our future generations, the UCTP would also like to wish a very Happy Birthday to a community guaili, Justin Ziegelasch who turns 11 years old today. Justin is the son of UCTP Florida Representative Millie Gandia and his Taino name is Seiba.

Yet another Happy Birthday also goes out to guaili Frankie Borrero who turns 9 today. "Little Frankie" is the nephew of UCTP President and Chairman, Roberto Mukaro Borrero.

As the Creator smiles upon them, we wish this young warriors all the best of everything always!

Han Han Katu.

UCTP Representative in Germany

UCTP Taino News - Claudia Fox Tree, UCTP Massachusetts Liaison, was recently invited to participate in the Native American Indian Heritage Month observances held by the United States Army in Germany. Claudia's mother is German and father is Arawak, so this presented a unique opportunity to share her Native American culture in the country of her mother's birth.

Claudia spoke to more than 300 U.S. soldiers and 800 of their children over a four-day period at military bases in Kaiserslautern, Darmstadt, Hanau, and Landstuhl, Hanau is where Elvis Presley was stationed. Landstuhl is where the United States military hospital is located. She was there in the days immediately following Fallujah.

Claudia used drumming, song and dance to educate folks about the history and contributions of Native People in general, and Taino/Arawak specifically. She described the Taino/Arawak initial encounter with Columbus in 1492, as well as his second voyage in 1494 where he brought 17 ships, soldiers and horses for warfare, and chains to enslave. Claudia also explained words and inventions that were Arawak in origin, such as, hurricane, barbecue, cigar, hammock, and tobacco. All of her presentations included connections to present day Native culture, current conditions, community connections, and ways Native People honor and respect each other, animals, and the land.

In 1990, President George Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 as "National American Indian Heritage Month" to celebrate and recognize intertribal cultures and to educate the public about the heritage, history, art, and traditions of Native Americans. The Equal Opportunity Leaders of the United States Military are charged with bringing cultural awareness programs to their assigned bases, as well as, educating military personnel about sexual harassment. About twelve percent of the army consists of women, and even a smaller percentage is made up of Native Americans. Virginia Ming, Equal Opportunity Advisor (coordinator of the EOLs) was given the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA) website, where Claudia is a board member, and from there, contacted Claudia.

On some of the days, Claudia shared the stage with Ella Garlits (Navajo) and Lt. Bigman (Objibway). Ms. Garlits lives in Germany and her husband is in the military. She shared Navajo history, traditions, and artifacts. She also made Fry Bread. Ms. Bigman is stationed in Germany and she shared her Nation's Jingle Dress Dancing. The event was well-received by military personnel. Claudia frequently had a long line of soldiers, teachers, and children waiting to shake her hand and say "Thank you" at the end of the performance.

UCTPTN 12.07.2004