Cali Tzay Nominated for UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Jose Francisco Cali Tzay, Mayan Cakchiquel, former President of UNCERD

United Nations (UCTP Taino News) - The UN Human Rights Council accepted nominations for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples until October 2019. Among the nominees are Jose Francisco Cali Tzay, a Mayan Cakchiquel from Guatemala and former member (through December 2019) and past President of the UN CERD. In addition to his many other accomplishments, he is also the President of the Board of Directors of the International Indian Treaty Council for the past 20 years. 

Indigenous organizations from around the world have already submitted letters of support for the nomination of Cali Tzay, including the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP). 

In a joint statement with the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization, UCTP President, Roberto Múkaro Borrero stated: “We commend the remarkable work Mr. Cali Tzay has accomplished in the field of human rights, in particular, issues concerning indigenous peoples internationally, over his career.” 

In 2001, the Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint a Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, as part of the system of thematic Special Procedures. The Special Rapporteur’s mandate was renewed by the Commission on Human Rights in 2004, and by the Human Rights Council in 2007. 

Appointments of Special Procedures Mandate Holders are expected to be made at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 24 February - 20 March 2020. 

UCTPTN 02/15/2020

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

Taíno People will join the Indigenous Peoples March in D.C.

Taino leader Roberto Múkaro Borrero will attend the Indigenous Peoples March in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON D.C. (UCTP Taíno News) — The United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) is co-sponsoring and represented on the organizing committee of the Indigenous Peoples March, which takes place on January 18, 2018, in Washington D.C. Other co-sponsors include Indigenous Nations, Peoples, comminutes, and organizations such as the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; Schaghticoke First Nations; Ramapo Lenape Nation; Piscataway Nation; International Indian Treaty Council; and Redrum MC; among many others. 

The day's event begins with an opening ceremony on the steps of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at 1849 C Street NW, Washington, D.C. at 8 a.m. From the BIA building, a march will commence to the Lincoln Memorial where a day-long rally will be held featuring many distinguished speakers and cultural presenters. Several thousand are expected to attend. 

UCTP President, Roberto Múkaro Borrero will be present and will serve as one of the Masters of Ceremonies at the March’s associated rally. “This is a historic, unifying event and it is an honor for the Confederation to be a part of it representing Caribbean Indigenous Peoples” stated Borrero. 

UCTPTN 01/01/2019

48th Day of Mourning/Remembrance features Taíno Speakers

Roberto Borrero shares a Taíno song at National Day of Mourning with fellow Taíno David Rodriguez and Vanessa Inarunikia Pastrana

Plymouth, Massachusetts (UCTP Taíno News) - Since 1970, American Indians and their allies have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US Thanksgiving holiday. The 48th annual Day of Mourning Rally and March through Plymouth's historic district was held on Thursday, November 23rd. Participants honored Native ancestors and the continuing struggles of Native peoples to survive today. According to the United American Indians of New England, the organization that organizes the event, "It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression, which Native Americans continue to experience." The day began with prayers and song continuing with statements presented by indigenous leaders from the region and beyond. Among the speakers were two Taíno, Bibi Vanessa Inarunikia Pastrana of the Bohio Atabei and Roberto Múkaro Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taino People. Borrero was also representing the International Indian Treaty Council. Both Pastrana and Borrero focused their presentations on the current situation in hurricane ravaged Borikén (Puerto Rico). Borrero also shared a Taíno song accompanied by Pastrana and David Rodriguez, a Taíno who was among the front-line water protectors at Standing Rock pipeline action. The organizers pledged a part of the proceeds toward relief efforts in Borikén. The event culminated in a grand "pot luck" feast provided to participants free of charge. 

UCTPTN 11/24/2017

Indigenous Leaders from Around the World Meet at COP21 in Paris

Kayapo Chief Raoni Metuktire of Brazil and Kasike Roberto Mukaro Borrero,
President of the United Confederation of Taino People meet in Paris. 

Paris, France (UCTP Taino News) - About 250 indigenous leaders who engaged in a series of unprecedented consultations in the Arctic, North America, Asia, Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Russia and Eastern Europe, and Africa finalized their proposals to COP21 on Monday. The delegates are now actively lobbying governments to include the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the COP21 agreement. The indigenous leaders are also calling on countries to adopt a goal of keeping the global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming with the view of further lowering it to one degree Celsius. According to experts, the disastrous and possibly irreversible tipping point of climate change is 2°C. Among this historic and diverse gathering of indigenous leadership are Chief Damon Corrie of the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization (CADO) and Kasike Roberto Mukaro Agueibana Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taino People. 

UCTPTN 11.30.2015

Taino Attends Keystone XL Rejection Celebration in South Dakota

Taino Community member Heriberto Guaragua'niki of the Guainia Taino Tribe
addresses Keystone Rejection Victory Celebration in South Dakota
on behalf of the United Confederation of Taino People

Mission, South Dakota (UCTP Taino News) - Taino community member Heriberto Guaragua'niki Martinez attended the "Success through Prayer" Keystone Rejection Victory Celebration in South Dakota on November 14, 2015. The event was hosted by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and featured many speakers including grassroots leaders like Faith Spotted Eagle and various supporters who advocated against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Martinez, a member of the Guainia Taino Tribe was asked to officially represent the United Confederation of Taino People at the event by UCTP President, Roberto Mukaro Borrero. 

The UCTP actively protested against the proposed pipeline in solidarity with North American Indigenous Tribal Nations on the front lines of the fight against the Keystone KXL. Organizers of the event including elder Chief Duane Hollow Horn Bear requested that Martinez share remarks with those gathered. Martinez shared historical information about the Taino and he recounted how community members attended marches and wrote letters to government officials against the pipeline. He also shared how the Boricua community, including Taino People, recently defeated a gas pipeline proposed for the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico). 

On November 6, President Barack Obama denied the permit to carry tar-sands crude oil from TransCanada Corporation into the United States through the proposed KXL pipeline. The "Success through Prayer" Keystone Rejection Victory Celebration was held at the Sinte Gleska University. 

UCTPTN 11.18.2015

OAS draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Position the Indigenous Caucus of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

Distinguished Chairman of the Permanent Council, we the representatives of Indigenous Peoples want to express our position in regards to the last session of negotiations of the working group responsible for drafting the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

We regret that some States insist to hinder negotiations which have been held for more than 17 years, by introducing at the last minute, new text to make the provisions in the American Declaration ambiguous, below the standards of the Declaration of the United Nations and not recognize the rights of Indigenous Peoples, which is contrary to international human rights law. 

The Caucus considers this a vile disrespect and bad faith and will not accept any disposition that limits the human rights of Indigenous Peoples to the constitutions, domestic laws and public interest and allow the continued violation of indigenous rights and destroy all progress we have achieved in the American Declaration.

The Indigenous Caucus denounces before the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs, the Permanent Council and the General Assembly that the conditions for the adoption of an American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas do not exist, because there is no respect for the principles of the negotiation process that led Indigenous Peoples to the negotiation of an American Declaration without weakening it and without taking it below the standards of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

We ask the Committee on Legal Affairs, the Permanent Council and the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), to take the necessary measures to enable the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in the discussion and adoption of the American Declaration in an environment of respect and equality.

We the Indigenous Peoples will not accept any language that is contrary to the UN Declaration. We Indigenous Peoples reject and denounce the text of the American Declaration submitted for discussion and consider it illegitimate.

Having said that and in view of the fact that there are no conditions for negotiations at this eighteenth session, we the indigenous peoples remove ourselves from the negotiating table and will not recognize any text.

Washington D.C. 15^th May, 2015.

Contact: Anita Tzec anitatzec@yahoo.com

Schaghticoke and Taíno Declare Unity

East Haven, CT (UCTP Taino News) – History was made at the Schaghticoke Indian Tribe’s Fall Gathering when a historic “Declaration of Unity” was signed with the United Confederation of Taino People on October 18, 2014. The treaty signing was part of the special event held at the landmark Old Stone Church in East Haven. The gathering also featured inspiring presentations by several distinguished members of the Schaghticoke Indian Tribe, as well as other honored guests including Doreen Bennett (Maori) of Aotearoa/New Zealand. 

Schaghticoke Sachem Robert Hawk Storm Bergin and Kasike Roberto Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero, the president of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) were the main signatories of the treaty, with several community members acting as witnesses including Heriberto “Guaragua’niki” Martinez (Taíno), Angel Ortiz (Taíno), and Ed Wolf-Walker Conley (Schaghticoke). 

According to the treaty document, the Declaration of Unity was entered into with the “present and future generations” of both Peoples in mind. Both leaders remarked on the importance of this level of recognition and solidarity between Indigenous Peoples and are looking toward to possible joint programs in the near future. 

 UCTP Taino News 10.19.2014

Still Here! Exhibition and Symposium (December 21st)

St. Thomas Taino Welcome Registry Collaboration

St. Thomas (UCTP Taino News) – Opia Taino and the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) finalized a collaborative agreement linking their respective local and international tribal registries.  An indigenous organization based in St. Thomas, Opia Taino will now commence its registry on the island and other nearby islands such as St. Croix and Tortola.

The St. Thomas Taino registry will connect directly with the UCTP’s Taino Population Census and Inter-Tribal Registry. These programs are independent of State government census or similar programs. Both registries are open to Taino, Carib, and Arawak descendants. UCTP president, R. Mukaro Borrero and Opia Taino president Maekiaphan Phillips finalized the agreement in a meeting last week in New York.

UCTPTN 11.08.2013

Taino Identity Beyond Columbus

Register for the event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/174373649431795/

UCTP submission to UNPFII under Item 8: Future work of the Permanent Forum, including matters of the Economic and Social Council and emerging issues

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 

Item 8: Future work of the Permanent Forum, including matters 

of the Economic and Social Council and emerging issues 

Wednesday, 29 May, 2013 

Submission by the United Confederation of Taíno People (Caribbean Regional) 

Presented by Roberto Mukaro Borrero 

Takahi kena hahom. Greetings and thank you Mr. Chair: 

The United Confederation of Taíno People is a regional initiative representing Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean Islands. We have participated at every session of the UNPFII seeking to raise the visibility and promote a better understanding of the situations of Indigenous Peoples from this region, which is connected to Latin America in these proceedings. 

Indeed, while the term Latin America and the Caribbean is promoted at various levels throughout the Permanent Forum sessions, as well as throughout the United Nations system, the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean is unfortunately a rarity rather than the norm. 

On the unusual occasion when Caribbean Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous islanders in particular, are highlighted within the system, there has been very little action on the part of U.N agencies or governments to engage in meaningful dialog or follow-up. 

For example, the Programme of Action for the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, under Item 6 Social and economic development, section b-85 states, and I quote: 

“ It is recommended that representatives of Caribbean indigenous peoples should be included in region-specific consultations and conferences in Latin America and the Caribbean, and on steering committees for planning and implementing the programme of activities for the Second International Decade. Serious consideration should also be given to organizing a special regional consultative session focusing on the unique situation of Caribbean indigenous peoples, which would take place in the Caribbean, hosted by a Member State and a local indigenous community.” 

Mr. Chair, to date there has been no such meeting and we are now nearing the close of the second Decade.

With this in mind, the United Confederation of Taíno People recommends that the Permanent Forum: 

 1.) Call on the Inter-Agency Support Group and Governments to support a regional consultative meeting on the situation of Caribbean Indigenous including Indigenous Peoples of non-self governing territories and unincorporated territories in the region, without discrimination. 

 2.) In cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, organize and hold an expert group meeting on the situation of Indigenous Peoples of non-self governing territories and unincorporated territories in 2014 and report on said meeting at its 13th session. 

Hahom (thank you).

Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization Established

Dominica, West Indies (UCTP Taíno News) – December 9^th, 2012 marked another historic day in the annuals of the history of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples as it marked the founding of the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organisation (CADO). The founding board of this Caribbean-based initiative includes well-known members of the Lokono Arawak, Kalinago Carib, and the Taíno Indigenous Nations. The group will focus on various projects to restore and or promote the tangible and intangible Amerindian culture and heritage throughout the islands, and be registered officially as a non-profit in Watikubuli (Dominica), Eastern Caribbean.

A collective statement by CADO noted that “"We are coming together to bring benefits to our peoples as best as we can. Being traditionalists as we all are, 'Development' is understood by us to be that which restores as much of our tangible and intangible heritage as has been lost and ensuring that as much as possible of it is taken into the future in the hearts and minds of the generations yet unborn that will follow us down the red road of our ancestors."

CADO’s founding board highlights gender and regional balance with the following members Shirling Simon-Corrie (Lokono), Damon Corrie (Lokono), Louisette Auguiste (Kalinago), Irvince Auguiste (Kalinago), Migdalia Ma. Pellicier (Taíno), and Roberto Mukaro Borrero (Taíno). From their spiritual perspective, and in their Caribbean traditionalist Amerindian Cosmovision, the 3 tribal nations are of the same maternal umbilical cord/tree of life, with a base/roots in the Lokono South, a middle/ solid trunk in the Kalinago center, and top/crown; branches in the Taino North.

Members are all experienced indigenous rights advocates participating throughout the region locally, nationally, and internationally at such forums as the United Nations and the Organization of American States.  Justifiably, the CADO motto is "Dedicated to the Preservation and Promotion of Amerindian Cultural Heritage, and the Implementation of Internationally Recognized Rights of Indigenous Peoples"

The groups contends that while it is well known that Caribbean Indigenous Peoples were the first to suffer “historical colonialism's cruel fate,” they are the “least listened to” of all Indigenous Peoples in the Western hemisphere. CADO members also affirm that Amerindians still suffer the effects of present-day neo-colonialism in the Caribbean, which continues to ignore indigenous existence or marginalize contemporary communities and organizations. From the perspective of its founding members, CADO’s regional perspective emphasizes, not only the spirit of resistance to assimilation, but also of the calls for Caribbean Amerindian unity.  As such, the founders of CADO plan to move forward as “one blood, one mind, and one spirit.”

As Bob Marley prophesied, “as it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end.”

UCTPTN 12.21.2012

Discussion: Indigenous Peoples & Inequalities in the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Dear colleague,

Indigenous people were absent from the Millennium Declaration and have remained so throughout the Millennium Development Goals processes: according to the UN System Task Team report on the post-2015 agenda, the MDGs have not reached the poorest and most marginalized people. To ensure that inequalities are addressed in the post-2015 agenda, the Global Thematic Consultation on Addressing Inequalities (co-led by UNICEF and UN Women) is holding a series of online, moderated discussions to gather views from a broad range of stakeholders on what the post-2015 development agenda should look like.  In this context, we would like to invite you to join an online discussion on inequalities and indigenous peoples, co-moderated by the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (SPFII) and experts from Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations.

The discussion is taking place from 27 November to 14 December. To participate, please post your response in the discussion forum at www.worldwewant2015.org/node/284745. You are invited to register to the consultation here. The site is available in English, French and Spanish. You are invited to post your comments in any of the sixty languages supported by Google Translate.  If you are unable to access the site, please email your response to: inequalities@worldwewant2015.org.  

The discussion is co-moderated by Myrna Cunningham Kain, Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and Nilla Bernardi, Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (SPFII). They will be joined by experts from Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations beginning with:

Roberto Borrero, Chair, NGO Committee on the UN International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Jennifer Koinante, Director, SIIWA, Kenya

To kick off the global conversation, we invite you to reflect on the following questions, among others:

1. What are the most important forms of inequalities faced by indigenous peoples? - including discussion of where and among whom these challenges occur, their severity, the evidence about them, etc.

 2. What are the major structural factors at the root of these inequalities, within and among different societies?

 3. What kinds of policies, strategies or interventions have been most successful in addressing the various inequalities experienced by indigenous peoples? And under which conditions/in which situations have particular policies, strategies or interventions had the greatest, lasting impact? (Contributors may wish to cite examples or give references to these “successes”).

 4. Based on experience, what are the most important recommendations that could be proposed in the Post-2015 Development Agenda for making a lasting and transformative impact on the different forms of inequalities faced by indigenous peoples?

 5. What actions and initiatives could be taken by different stakeholders, including civil society and indigenous peoples organizations, to bring about lasting improvements in these inequalities? And how should those who face inequalities themselves be enabled to participate in the implementation phase of the new Development Framework?

The recommendations emerging from your contributions will be incorporated into a report on ‘Addressing Inequalities in the Post-2015 Development Agenda’, to be presented at a high-level meeting in February 2013 in Copenhagen. The report will also be transmitted to the High-level Panel on Post-2015, appointed by the UN Secretary-General.

The consultation aims to be as broad and open as possible, in order to enable a multitude of voices to be heard from academia, media, indigenous peoples’ organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, private sector, governments and the UN System.  We look forward to hearing from you on how to realize the Future We Want for All.

Warm regards,
Myrna Cunningham Kain, Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Nilla Bernardi, Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (SPFII)

Contact: inequalities@worldwewant2015.orgDiscussion website: www.worldwewant2015.org/node/284745

Taíno-themed game released for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

Santa Clara, CA (UCTP Taino News) - Raindrop Games has launched a new historical game entitled “Arrival: Village Kasike” for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Arrival: VillageKasike is the first game in the planed Arrival series, which focuses on the history of the indigenous Taíno people. Players will lead an ancient Taíno village to thriving prosperity or a struggling existence with challenges including hurricane preparation, food cultivation, village defense, and morale management, etc.  

 

Arrival: VillageKasike presents the story of Naniki, a Taíno woman, who, through fate, must lead a struggling village somewhere in the Caribbean. The iOS game was developed in collaboration with the United Confederation of Taíno People with Roberto Múkaro Borrero, President of The United Confederation of Taíno People as project’s lead consultant. Borrero reviewed the various aspects of ancient Taíno life portrayed - from clothing, farming techniques, and socio-ceremonial presentations – in an effort to provided the highest standard of accuracy in this setting. In his personal capacity as a renowned Taíno musician, Borrero also provided Taíno music and speech to create a more immersive and authentic experience.

“Before even beginning development, Raindrop Games reached out to the Confederation, and we in turned reached out to the Community – affiliated and non-affiliated - about the potential of this collaboration” stated Borrero. After outreach and consultations, the Confederation received mostly positive reactions to the project. 

“There were a few concerns, but the fact that we would be consulting all through development was a critical factor” noted Borrero. “The potential for introducing our ancient and contemporary culture to vast audiences using this technology was an educational opportunity that merited our attention and participation.” 

According to Raindrop games, the goal was to create engaging, entertaining, and educational game play experience were the concept of “balance” is the key to survival. 
  

Recommended devices for game play are iPhone 4 or newer, all iPads, iOS 5 or newer is required. Those interested in Arrival: Village Kasike can open iTunes to purchase and download the apps. Raindrop games also maintains a website for more information at http://www.arrivalgame.com/.

UCTPTN 11.17.2012

Karaira: Tribal Link’s Taíno Grandmother

I first met Grandmother Karaira (aka 'Millie') in 2008 during my first year of Tribal Link Foundation’s “Project Access Global Capacity Building Training for Indigenous Peoples” in New York. She is fiercely proud of her Boriken Taino heritage and for those who don't know - she'll remind you that Boriken is the true name of the island the Spanish Conquistadors later called 'Puerto Rico' (Rich Port).

I remember how Grandmother Karaira used to bring food for me each day ‘Just to make sure I had something to eat', and this was entirely out of the kindness of her heart and of her own volition.

Concerning the entire group of Tribal Link trainees (both 'freshmen' and 'alumni') – Karaira always has grandmotherly advice and words of wisdom for everyone. She often sat in the background and listened, waiting for the spirit of the ancestors to move her to single out anyone she senses is in dire need of prayer or counsel. On my last night in New York I was in a bit of mental anguish over a lingering issue I was trying to find a way to cope with, grandmother Karaira called me over and said privately to me "I feel I need to talk to you about something, you can tell me if I am wrong, but I sense that...".

She went on to very precisely give the direction I was looking for - to the specific issue I was pondering.

If I had let slip even a hint or single word at any time during my almost 3 weeks in New York about this private matter it would have been easy for someone to make an educated guess, but I never said a word even remotely concerning this topic; so Karaira was genuinely in tuned on a spiritual level to obtain the insight she did.

This however, was by no means the first time, last year during a ceremony she gave me a blue Parrot feather, I had been told in a dream over 20 years ago (when I was still a teenager) by a voice that said "Now you know how to reach me - when you pray, use the feathers".

I had accumulated over the years the other feathers that I traditionally required, and the Blue Parrot feather was the last one I needed. I never told anyone about that dream yet she knew I needed that specific gift.

Among Indigenous Peoples these are normal occurrences, but to many non-indigenous - these are considered to be quite remarkable.

The Taino and Lokono Arawaks are closer blood relations than almost any other two indigenous tribes in the Western Hemisphere, and this historic bond of kinship was fractured by the consequences of the arrival of un-civilized Iberians into our lands over five centuries ago. In modern times my own Bariria Korobahado Lokono (Eagle Clan Arawaks) have cemented an alliance with the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) - to which Grandmother Karaira is a representative officer.

The UCTP was founded by Tainos from Boriken, Kiskeia, and Cuba but it has been Boricuas who have been spearheading the Taino revival in the Greater Antilles and beyond. It is a mammoth effort with the UCTP taking a principle role internationally. I am honored to be a fellow Council member.

Likewise, well-known UCTP supporter and Taino artist Aguilar Marrero was granted a life seat on the Eagle Clan Tribal Council. UCTP President Roberto Mukaro Borrero remains the first and only official advisor to the multi-racial and worldwide Pan-Tribal Confederacy of Indigenous Tribal Nations, which was founded by the Eagle Clan Arawaks.

Before I conclude I just want readers to know that with the strokes of their pens - former Spanish colonial governors in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba re-classified 'Indios' as 'Mestizos' or ‘Mulattos’ - an act which instantly had the effect of Taino people officially ‘disappearing' from the population census records of those islands. So do not succumb to the erroneous and widely held belief that 'the Tainos are extinct'.

Cuba recently revised their official inherited false colonial era curriculum to now admit to the continued existence of Taino people in Eastern Cuba - who have kept many of their traditions and cultures intact, and the recent official DNA tests conducted in Puerto Rico conclusively proves the continued biological existence of Tainos there. That is just in case anyone failed to notice the very highly visible modern day Taino cultural activities that have been increasing publicized.

Still there are people in western societies who are so ignorant that they utter nonsense such as "You guys do not wear loincloths, paint and feathers anymore – so you are not really Arawaks" - to which I often respond by asking them: "Do you still wear the attire your ancestors wore 500 years ago?". Actually I do still own and wear loincloths, paint my body etc. - but when I am among my own people and on our own lands as an outward expression of inward cultural pride.

I do not however do so in an urban context among the imposed and dominant foreign culture there. The old saying "when in Rome do as the Romans" does have some merit I think. In the end, we all know who we are and it matters not the depth of ignorance exhibited by others.

Author: Damon Gerard Corrie
Reporting from the Eighth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, New York City, 18-29 May 2009
e-mail: damoncorrie@yahoo.com