Taíno elder Mildred "Múkara" Torres-Speeg (83) crosses over into Koaibei (the Spirit World)

Clayton, Georgia (UCTP Taíno News) - Taíno elder Mildred "Múkara" Torres-Speeg (83) crossed over into Koaibei (the Spirit World) on Apr 30, 2019. Elder Múkara was courageously fighting cancer for some time, but her family members report that "she went peacefully just before her 84th birthday." A member of the Elders Advisory Council of the Guainía Taíno Tribe, she also served as a Liaison Officer of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) in the state of Georgia for over 8 years.

Tai Pelli, a Human Rights and International Relations Officer for the UCTP shared "From this elder I received only kind and loving words and great support for my work and journey. Her spirit will forever shine in the aniki (heart/spirit/mind) of many of us and those who loved her."

Elder Múkara was an award-winning, internationally recognized artist whose works were exhibited at the Georgia Council for the Arts, Albany Museum of Art, State Capital Gallery, Atlanta, Andrew College, Jimmy Carter Library, Georgia Southwestern State College, Atlanta Spirit of America-Native American and Wildlife Art Festival, private collections and numerous others. She was also an active member of the NGAG and past president of the Albany Georgia Artists Guild. 

"Bibi (Grandmother) Mukara was an amazing artist as well as a trailblazer in the UN-NGO sector. I will personally miss her counsel as I know many others will. Our People have lost a National Treasure with her passing," stated R. Múkaro Agüeibana Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taíno People.

Elder Mildred "Múkara" Torres-Speeg is survived by her husband Capt. Roger Speeg, USMC Ret. and her daughter, Vivianne Speeg Dupeire of Kennesaw, GA; two nephews, Ssgt. Joseph Gillooly USMC and Dwayne Dupeire II.  

UCTPTN 5/3/2019

Confederation Welcomes New Southern States Liaison

Ellijay, Georgia (UCTP Taino News) – The United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) welcomed this month Monika “Mamona” Ponton-Arrington as its Liaison Officer responsible for Confederation outreach in Alabama and Tennessee. She will also serve the States of North Carolina and Georgia in coordination with elder Mildred Mukara Torres-Speeg.

A Boriken Taino whose family comes from Puerto Rico’s Ponce, Coamo, Dorado, Jayuya, and San Juan areas, Ponton-Arrington currently resides Ellijay, Georgia with her husband Fulton Arrington, a Tsalagi (Cherokee). She was given her Taino name Mamona by her grandmother.

Ponton-Arrington is a mother of four children ranging from ages 32-23 and works as a Counselor. An advocate for Native Rights, she works to protect sacred sites in Georgia and is presently a Trustee to the Talking Rock Cherokee Memorial Cemetery.

She has presented lectures before civic groups, colleges and historical societies and enjoys traditional arts.

Contact information for Monika Mamona Ponton-Arrington will soon be made available at the UCTP webportal at www.uctp.org.

UCTPTN 05.13.2009