St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Celebrates Taino Heritage

St. Thomas, USVI (UCTP Taino News) - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands residents recently experienced an exciting,  full day of Taino-related activities organized by local indigenous organization Opia Taíno International, Inc. Activities took place adjacent to the well-known historic building, Fort Christian, and at the nearby Emancipation Garden from 10am – 5pm, Saturday, December 1, 2012. The program featured an impressive list of speakers as well as an interactive, educational exhibition entitled “A Walk in My Moccasins.”  The daylong program was free to the public and supported by the Virgin Islands Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

"We are here to dispel the myth of Taino extinction in the Caribbean" stated Maekiaphan Phillips, President of Opia Taino. 

Some of the interactive features of the program included a Taino-inspired village with a batey (ceremonial plaza), Taíno artifacts and crafts, photographs, native foods, and results from Maekiaphan Phillips’s family genealogical exploration. 

Members of Opia Taino and other special guests were on hand throughout the day to answer questions concerning Taino and Carib heritage. Featured speakers included Phillips, Roberto Mukaro Borrero of the United Confederation of Taino People, and Senator-elect, the honorable Myron Jackson.  Discussion topics ranged from family genealogy to DNA testing; Taino history past and present; the United Confederation of Taino Peoples’ Inter-Tribal Registry; and the importance of honoring the Indigenous legacies of the Virgin Islands.  

UCTPTN 12.12.2012

Highway Blocked As 5.8 Quake Strikes Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico (AHN) - Puerto Rico was jolted by a moderate earthquake on Sunday morning. The 5.8-magnitude quake was centered between the cities of Moca and Anasco and damaged homes on parts of the island and caused a rock slide on a highway.

The temblor struck at 1:16 a.m. nearly four miles from the small town of Espino on the western side of the island. Nearly 63 miles away in the capital San Juan, the quake was felt in the city's high-rise buildings.

Homes on the western and northern side of the Caribbean island also reported damage. Puerto Rico's emergency management agency said a rock slide in Utuado caused debris to block a highway.

Even on the nearby islands of Vieques, Culebra, Santa Cruz, and rest of the Virgin Islands residents reported feeling the quake.

Authorities say no one was injured, however the alarms of cars, banks, shopping malls and buildings went off resulting in panic among many who misunderstood the alarms to be a tsunami warning.

Author: Ayinde O. Chase
Source: AHN News