Boriken Taino Stand Strong with the UCTP

Elder Valeriana Shashira Rodriguez Valentin, Kasike Elba Anaka Lugo Perez, and Kasike Roberto Mukaro Agueibana Borrero celebrate 10 years of solidarity.

UCTP Taino News – Representatives of the Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos renewed their sacred ties with the United Confederation of Taino People in a special unification ceremony on Saturday, April 26, 2008. Boriken Council leader Kasike Elba Anaka Lugo Perez and elder Valeriana Shashira Rodriguez Valentin made the trip from Puerto Rico to meet with UCTP representatives as well as participate in the Seventh Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

“This trip is about unification because we are one Taino family on or off the island” declared elder Shashira. She also affirmed before all those gathered that “the Consejo is with the UCTP as the UCTP is with the Consejo.”

The historic solidarity ceremony took place at the home of UCTP Liaison, Evelyn Koai’cu Cruz-Lear in New Jersey.

A number of UCTP representatives and community members attended the gathering that was not only a celebration but a chance to receive firsthand updates on the island’s current situation. The Boriken leaders shared their experiences at the Jacancas site in Ponce as well as information on some of their projects throughout Puerto Rico. Another important moment in the meeting was the official welcoming of Mildred Karaira Gandia into the “Circle of Boriken Taino Grandmothers” by elder Shashira. The Boriken Council elder urged those gathered to continue to look toward Karaira for council and leadership now and in the future.

After the discussions and the “Guaitiao ceremonies” led by elder Shashira, the Boriken leaders were surprised with a birthday cake as they both celebrated birthdays in April.

Of the gathering Elba Anaka Lugo - a pioneer of the Taino resurgence movement - stated that to “connect through ceremony” was for her one of the most important moments of this recent trip to the States.

Kasike Lugo also looked forward to receiving all her relatives in the ancestral homeland of Boriken sooner than later as there was “much work to be done.”

UCTPTN 05.08.2008

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.