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| Tribal Link Director Pamela Kraft receives a sculpture from the Eagle Clan Arawaks and the United Confederation of Taino People. In photo from left to right: Pamela Kraft, Roberto Borrero, Damon Corrie and Tai AnaYuisa Pellicier |
United Nations, NY (UCTP Taino News) – An exquisite work of contemporary
Lokono Arawak art was presented to Tribal Link’s Executive Director, Pamela
Kraft, during the 11th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in May. The piece, a wooden sculpture of a female leader, was
carved by acclaimed Lokono artist Foster Simon. The piece was presented to Kraft jointly by the Eagle Clan Arawaks and the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP).
“Pamela Kraft has selflessly given of her time and effort to
promote the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” stated UCTP President Roberto Mukaro Borrero. “She has continuously worked hard to provide a space for Indigenous
Peoples to speak for themselves at the United Nations and other forums, presenting this special gift is
a way for us to acknowledge her important work, and to say thank you.”
The presentation of the sculpture was made during Tribal
Link’s Project Access 2012 Training Session. Project Access supports indigenous peoples’
participation in international meetings and conferences where decisions are
being made that affect their rights, cultures and livelihoods. Project Access is designed to provide support
for the effective participation of 15-20 indigenous peoples from around the world at the UNPFII.
Their participation begins with a three-day training session prior to the Forum's opening.
“Simon’s sculpture represents a female leader, a chief,”
noted Damon Corrie, the leader of the Eagle Clan Arawaks and the Pan Tribal Confederacy of Indigenous Tribal Nations. “To us Pamela is a leader and a chief
of this session, we are very grateful to her, and all the Tribal Link staff for
their commitment to Indigenous Peoples and to the Project Access students in
particular.”
Additional sculptures created by Foster Simon are featured in the
Presidential collections of Guyana, Bolivia and Venezuela, and have been
exhibited at the United Nations
