Latin America and the Caribbean Indigenous Peoples Prepare for World Conference

Guatemala City, Guatemala (UCTP Taino News) – Indigenous Peoples from throughout Latin American and Caribbean are meeting in Guatemala to discuss and organize regional perspectives on the upcoming United Nations World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014. Supported by the Government of Guatemala, This preparatory meeting began on April 11 with a Mayan blessing ceremony lead by Felix Sarazua, a Maya Spiritual Guide.  The meeting will end on Saturday, April 13, 2013. 

The Latin American and Caribbean Regional Preparatory Meeting for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples is a part of a global preparatory process toward the United Nations General Assembly high-level plenary entitled the “World Conference on Indigenous Peoples,” scheduled to take September 2014.  Some of the themes being discussed in Guatemala  include the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Indigenous perceptions of land and territories; the post-2015 UN Agenda; and the a strategic plan for the World Conference. 

Among the invited delegates attending the meeting in Guatemala is Roberto Mukaro Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP). Borrero is representing the Confederation and the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization (CADO). 

“From the start of this process the UCTP and CADO have been concerned with the lack of effective participation of indigenous Caribbean Islanders during these important preparatory stages” stated Borrero. The UCTP and CADO jointly submitted their concerns to the Latin American and Caribbean Coordinating Committee as well as the Global Indigenous Women’s Caucus.

In its resolution (A/RES/66/296), the UN General Assembly decided that the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly, to be known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples would be held on 22-23 September 2014 in New York at UN Headquarters. A goal of the World Conference is to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of the rights of Indigenous peoples, including to pursue the objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

    

UCTPTN 04.12.2014

Peace and Dignity Journeys 2012 Coming to a Close

 Peace and Dignity Runners on Route to Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Yari Sina Sierra.

Uaxactun, Guatemala (UCTP Taino News) - The Peace and Dignity Journeys, a continental spiritual run held every four years by Indigenous Peoples from throughout the Western Hemisphere will end today Uaxactun, in Guatemala. The run began May 1^st, with two groups of runners beginning simultaneously in Chickaloon, Alaska and Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.  The runners traveled through various indigenous communities carrying sacred staffs representing the prayers of the communities they have passed through since the first run and beyond. Each Peace and Dignity Journeys is dedicated to a specific prayer with 2012 dedicated to water. 

Among the Indigenous Peoples participating in the 2012 Peace and Dignity Journeys, Caribbean Indigenous Peoples have been represented and will be present during the closing ceremonies. Following two local Caribbean runs, one in Kiskeia (Dominican Republic) and one in Boriken (Puerto Rico), two youth Taino youth representatives, Yari Sina Sierra and Wakanari Arawak, have continued on with the main contingent entering Guatemala today. Also participating in the closing ceremonies are Kasike Roman Guaraguarix Perez and Sherri Vigor of Yucayeque Maisiti and Bibi Vanessa Inarunikia Pastrano, found of the Bohio de Atabei Caribbean Indigenous Women’s Circle, and Council member of the United Confederation of Taino People. Pastrano was worked together with the Peace and Dignity Journeys since 2010 as a regional coordinator and contact for the Caribbean.  

The Peace and Dignity Journeys will culminate in various ceremonies over the next few days, officially ending on Dec. 4. 

UCTPTN11.28.2012

Sacred Run in Boriken Continues

The Boriken Run for Peace and Dignity Stops along the Pastillos/Tibes exit on Route 10  (Photo credit: R. Guayacan Hernandez)

Boriken/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - A group of Taino youth and supporters are continuing their sacred run throughout the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico) today in Mayaguez. The Boriken run, dedicated to water, is a part of the 2012 Peace and Dignity Journeys, an indigenous continental run linking communities throughout the hemisphere. During their stop in Mayaguez, the runners will continue to meet with local community members promoting the vision of the Peace and Dignity Journeys as well as Taino culture.

The Boriken Run begin with a sunrise ceremony on Wednesday in Jayuya, and continued yesterday with visits to Taino sacred sites in the Ponce area such as Jacanas and Tibes.   The runners are carrying sacred matuko (staffs) that “represent the prayers of the people”.  Similar runs began in Alaska and South America last month.  An additional run also began today in Kiskeia (Dominican Republic). 

While in Ponce, the honorable Victor Vassallo of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives officially greeted the runners to the area. Vassallo also expressed his commitment to making the Taino presence more visible on the island, and expressed his thanks to the United Confederation of Taino People for making him aware of the historic initiative. 

The next stop for the group will be Arecibo on Saturday, followed by a closing ceremony in “El Yunke” rainforest. Three of the runners from Boriken then join other runners in New York to begin the East Coast run on August 5. The final destination for the various runs is Guatemala for the closing ceremony.    Donations to assist the runners on their journey can be made at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/164824 .

UCTPTN 07.20.2012

Indigenous Summit Begins in Panama

Caribbean indigenous delegates at the 3rd Indigenous Leaders Summit of the Americas being hosted in Panama. From left to right: Roberto Borrero (Taino), Chief Allan Leow (Lokono), Margaret Williams (Kalinago), Chief Charles Williams (Kalinago), and Roger Guayakan Hernandez (Taino). UCTP Photo.

Panama City, Panama (UCTP Taino News) - The 3rd Indigenous Leaders Summit of the Americas opened today with a blessing from Gilberto Arias, a traditional leader of the Kuna Peoples of Panama. Arias asked the Great Spirit, Baba and Nana, Mother Earth, to assist the delegates who arrived for the meeting from South, Central, and North America as well as the Caribbean.

The morning session included remarks from Mr. Betanio Chiquidama representing the Kuna Council; Ms. Beverly Jacobs on behalf of the co-chairs; His excellency Jose Miguel Insulza, Secratary General of the Organization of America States; and Her Excellency, Patricia Langan-Torell, Ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Panama.

After the opening, co-chair Beverly Jacobs of the Native Women’s Association of Canada introduced the planning committee and technical team, including Chief Ed John (Tl’azt’en) of the Assembly of First Nations; Celeste Mckay (Metis/Canada); Albert DeTerville (Saint Lucia); Roberto Borrero (Boriken Taino/Puerto Rico); Damon Corrie (Lokono/Barbados); Carlos Chex (Mayan/Guatemala); Hector Huertas (Kuna/Panama); Azalene Kaingang (Kaingang/Brazil); Jaime Arias (Kankuamo/Columbia); Chief Wilton Littlechild (Cree/Canada); Ellen Gabriel (Mohawk/Canada); Violet Ford (Inuit/Canada); June Lorenzo (Laguna Pueblo/U.S.A.); Ben Powless (Mohawk/Canada); Lea MacKenzie (Canada); and Irene Lindsey (Canada).

After the introductions, an overview of the previous summits and the 3rd summit work plan was presented by Hector Huertas (Kuna) and Grand Chief Ed John.

The purpose of the 3rd Indigenous Summit is to provide an international forum for discussion of indigenous leaders on a range of policy issues related to the work of the Organization of American States and the themes to be addressed during the 5th Summit of the Americas.

The theme of the 3rd Indigenous Leaders Summit is “Implementing the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas for Present and Future Generations”.

UCTPTN 04.14.2009

Cuban Women Portraits in Guatemala

Guatemala, Mar 9 (Prensa Latina) - More than five centuries of notable Cuban women were represented in the Guatemalan Embassy on the occasion of International Womens Day.

Women and the Homeland is the name of the exhibition of several portraits by Antonio Guerrero, one of five anti-terrorists jailed for more than 10 years in the United States.

There are images of the Taino aborigine Casiguaya, the wife of Hatuey the first martyr for the liberation of Cuba who opposed Spanish colonization that continues to women internationalists of today.

Notable among the portraits are Mariana Grajales and Leonor Perez, mothers of the national heroes Antonio Maceo and Jose Marti, respectively, Vilma Espin, heroine of the Revolution and founder of the Cuban Women’s Federation and Mirtha Rodriguez, mother of Guerrero.

They are all great women of their time, forgers of the future, examples of combatants for a better world, declared the political attaché of the embassy, Santiago Feliu.

Nicaraguan Marta Guadalupe Romero and the Guatemalan Silvia Solorzano spoke of the situation of women in Central America.

Among their challenges are access to education and health, equality of gender and a greater participation in posts of political decisions.

The event had the participation of representatives of different solidarity with Cuba organizations, friends of the Revolution and accredited diplomats in the country.

Image: Mariana Grajales, mother of the Cuban warrior Antonio Maceo

Source: Prensa Latina

International Indian Treaty Council Issues Resolutions

UCTP representative Mildred Karaira Gandia meets with Maya spiritual leaders in Chimaltenago, Guatemala.

UCTP Taino News - The International Indian Treaty Council held its 34th annual conference in Chimaltenago, Guatemala from June 19 – 22, 2008. The 275 registered delegates at this conference, representing Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific, adopted by consensus a series of resolutions to guide their work defending the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the local, national, and international levels.

Among those in attendance, representatives of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) participated in the plenary sessions and working groups as well as during spiritual ceremonies led by the local Mayan traditional spiritual authorities. Naniki Reyes Ocasio of the Caney Quinto Mundo, UCTP Liaison Mildred Karaira Gandia, and youth representative Justin Ziegelasch contributed directly to the drafting of the final conference resolutions via specific working groups. As a result of their participation the Taino People are specifically mentioned in the resolutions on “Land, Territories and Natural Resources, Treaties and the Implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” and the “Sacred Sites”.

The IITC reaffirmed for example the “land rights and self determination of Indigenous Peoples including the Taino, Cree, Dakota, Yaqui and Mayan peoples that are divided by colonial borders”. The IITC also calls upon the “United States Government and the Island of Boriken (Puerto Rico) to recognize the Taino People of Boriken as the original inhabitants and Indigenous Peoples with full rights as recognized by the UN Declaration, including the right to self-determination.

“This much appreciated support from our indigenous sisters and brothers is extremely important for all our Taino People” stated Mildred Karaira Gandia. “It shows that the Taino are indeed part of the larger hemispheric movement defending the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” Karaira added “Making these connections today as our ancestors did long ago not only unifies us across borders but it strengthens us on a spiritual level.”

Other resolutions adopted at the conference focused on the position of the CANZUS group and the UN Indigenous Rights Declaration, Lakota and Dakota Treaties, The Right to Food Sovereignty, The Rights of Women and Children, and Economic Justice and Migration.

The final resolutions will be posted at the websites of the International Indian Treaty Council and the United Confederation of Taino People in English and Spanish.

UCTPTN 07.24.2008

Annual International Indian Treaty Conference to begin in Guatemala

Chimaltenago, Guatemala (UCTP Taino News) - The 34th Annual International Conference of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) begins this week on June 19-22, 2008 in the city of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The conference will focus on strategic topics that designed to assist in the promotion and defense of the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

According to a recent IITC news release, the organizers are looking forward to the most diverse, pluralistic participation of representatives and authorities of Indigenous Peoples from the IITC member countries, as well as from all countries whose people have a keen interest in discussing strategies, plans, programs, visions and goals to continue working towards the challenging objective of ending the racism, discrimination, oppression, marginalization, exploitation, and imposition that Indigenous Peoples, are currently facing.

The conference organizers also note that although certain advances have been made in the field of domestic and international law, they are as yet insufficient and Indigenous Peoples are still facing difficult situations worldwide.

A delegation representing the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) is now in Guatemala to attend the conference and includes Naniki Reyes Ocasio of the Caney Quinto Mundo, and Mildred Karaira Gandia (UCTP Liaison), and Justin Seiba Ziegelasch, a youth delegate. In an historic moment for Taino People, the UCTP is scheduled to be officially welcomed as IITC affiliates before the assembly gathered in Chimaltenago.

The history and current situation of Mayan Peoples in Guatemala as well as implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the local to the international level will be some of the featured issues discussed at the conference. Other topics to be addressed include land and natural resource rights, treaties and agreements, reparations and redress processes, free prior and informed consent, self determination, environmental and racial justice. Dialogs will take place via panels, workshops, commissions, and training sessions.

Communications related to the conference can be directed to Conferencia2008@treatycouncil.org and additional information can be found at IITC website at http://www.treatycouncil.org/.

UCTPTN 06.18.2008

Taino People affiliated with the International Indian Treaty Council

UCTP Taino News - The United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) has been formally accepted as affiliates of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) by consensus of the IITC Board of Directors. The Taino affiliation will be reconfirmed by the indigenous assembly gathered at the upcoming IITC Treaty Conference which will be held from 4-7 April 2008 in Guatemala. The theme of the 2008 IITC Treaty Conference will be “Implementing the UN Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Right to Free Prior Informed Consent”.

The IITC is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America and the Pacific working for the sovereignty and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of indigenous rights, treaties, traditional cultures and sacred lands. The IITC was founded in 1974 at a gathering by the American Indian Movement in Standing Rock, South Dakota attended by more than 5000 representatives of 98 Indigenous Nations.

The UCTP represents indigenous Taino People from throughout the Caribbean region at the international level as well as supports local Taino organizations and community representatives at the local and national levels.

UCTPTN 01.01.2008