Brook Park Volunteer Day February 9

South Bronx, NY (UCTP Taino News) - Since 2010, community organization Friends of Brook Park (FoBP) planted over 40 trees in the South Bronx area. Using volunteers, the plantings have taken place around Brook Park in an effort to create green corridors in the local community and leading to the Bronx waterfront. FoBP has called a Volunteer Day on Saturday, February 9^th to plant more trees in the South Bronx area near the park.

“This is a wonderful and necessary initiative” stated R. Mukaro Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taino People. “We need more trees in our urban areas and the experience of planting and seeing the trees grow in the neighborhood is something positive for young people. It introduces them to the concept of stewardship – taking care of the land.”

Borrero notes that many Taino community members use the park regularly and he is calling on community members to consider assisting. Along with the tree-planting other park maintenance will taken place. No experience is necessary, but it is “welcome” as are tools and equipment. All ages are welcome and the start time is 10am till about 2pm at Brook Park at East 141st Street and Brook Avenue in the Bronx. Interested persons can contact FoBP’s Tree Planting Coordinator, Carol Zakaluk at carol@friendsofbrookpark.org.

UCTPTN 02.02.2013

Indigenous Peoples Day Established in Pennsylvania

Several participants at the 2012 Indigenous Peoples Day in Philadelphia. From left to right - Peta-Gay Roberts (Taino), Hon Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, UCTP President R. Mukaro Borrero, Joselyn Borrero (Tlingit), and Ramon Ramos (Taino). 

Pennsylvania (UCTP Taino News) - The House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on October 3^rd, recognized “Pennsylvania’s American Indian peoples and communities”, as well as the first Saturday in the month of October as Indigenous Peoples Day. The recognition was issued in “noncontroversial” House Resolution No. 861, introduced to the Assembly by Hon. Representatives V. Brown, Bishop, Brennen, Caltagirone, Digirolamo, Kirkland, Parker, Cultler, M.O’Briean, Staback, and Frankel.  

The resolution acknowledges the “many great nations that inhabited the territory”, such as the Lenape, as well as the many “American Indian Peoples living in urban cities like Philadelphia”.  At the presentation of Resolution 861 in Harrisburg, several local Indigenous representatives were invited to address the Assembly including Carlos Rivera, leader of Yucayeque Taino Ma’Oconuco.    

Following the presentation of House Resolution 861, a celebratory festive was held in Muhammad Park in Philadelphia to commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day on October 6th. Indigenous Peoples from around the State and from as far as Canada gathered to share history and culture. The gathering was attended by Hon. Representative Vanessa Lowery Brown, who distributed copies of Resolution 861 to the participants and attendees. Seventh Generation Radio host and local Indigenous activist, Brother El “Owl” Ali addressed the gathering citing the significance of the Day for all Indigenous Peoples of Pennsylvania. El Ali was one of the main proponents lobbying for Indigenous Peoples Day, which was first recognized, last year at the local governmental level in Philadelphia.  

At the event, El Ali also acknowledged the United Confederation of Taíno People and its President, R. Múkaro Borrero, for being the “inspiration” to lobby for an “Indigenous Peoples Day in Pennsylvania”. Borrero was on hand to receive a copy of the Resolution on behalf of the Confederation.   

UCTPTN 10.11.2012