Peace and Dignity Runners on the Move

Sacred staffs from Kiskeia (Dominican Republic) and Boriken (Puerto Rico) unite in New York.In photo from left to right Vanessa Inarunuka Pastrana, Roman Guaraguorix Perez, Maximus Prophet, Raphael Landron, and Hector Cerda. Photo courtesy of Amy Ponce

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) – A group of Taino people participating in the 2012 Peace and Dignity Journeys left New York this week toward the mid-west to begin a ceremonial run that will concluded later this year in Guatemala. The group’s original east coast route was changed to answer a call to assist other runners near the Chicago area. The Peace and Dignity journeys are intercontinental runs organized to link indigenous communities throughout the hemisphere and raise awareness on indigenous issues.

The contingent that departed New York was part of an historic ceremony at Brook Park this past Sunday, which introduced a sacred prayer staff or “matuko” from Kiskeia (Dominican Republic) to the bundle of staffs that arrived with runners from Boriken (Puerto Rico). These prayer staffs represent the “prayers of the people” and are carried by the runners throughout the run.

The two groups of approximately 18 runners, representing citizens of various indigenous Nations and communities, are now expected to arrive in the Pittsburgh area late tonight. They will be hosted by the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle and the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center. The participants and supporters are planning for ceremony on Saturday morning before they move on toward Ohio and beyond.

As in previous runs, the 2012 Peace and Dignity Journeys are a grass-roots effort, supported by the runners themselves, caring individuals, and various indigenous communities. Donations are still actively being sought to assist the runners with food, transportation expenses, and other necessities. Monetary donations can be made via Pay Pal until August 15 at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/164824. Organizers stress that “no donation is too small” and that those interested in supporting this historic initiative can contact vanessainaru@gmail.com  for more information.

UCTPTN 08.10.2012   

Raul Lall representing Guyana at Judo at London Olympics

GUYANA - Starting today, national lightweight judo champion Raul Lall of the Rising Sun Judo Dojo will becomethe first Guyanese Judoka to actually compete at the Olympics. Lall started playing Judo about 3 years ago, coming from a strong a judo family, both his father and uncle played, his uncle being one of the best judokas a Guyana ever produced and the founder of the Rising Sun dojo.

Raul shot up through Judo ranks bouyed by amazing natural talent, the ability to absorb what he is taught and a stubborn attitude to just win competitions, he has absolutely dominated the lightweight category.  For the last 2 years no local lightweight could get past Lall.

The use of heavy weights has given the 18 year old a distinct advantage against competitors his size, being able to power past them in competition.  He will hope to combine his power and skill to bring Guyana glory at these game, no easy task, but his tenacious nature will ensure he gives his best shot.

Lall is trained by Bruce Fraser – Instructor Rising Sun, and the entire club is rooting for him to do well at the London Olympic Games.

Source: Kaieteur News

Sacred Run in Boriken Continues

The Boriken Run for Peace and Dignity Stops along the Pastillos/Tibes exit on Route 10  (Photo credit: R. Guayacan Hernandez)

Boriken/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - A group of Taino youth and supporters are continuing their sacred run throughout the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico) today in Mayaguez. The Boriken run, dedicated to water, is a part of the 2012 Peace and Dignity Journeys, an indigenous continental run linking communities throughout the hemisphere. During their stop in Mayaguez, the runners will continue to meet with local community members promoting the vision of the Peace and Dignity Journeys as well as Taino culture.

The Boriken Run begin with a sunrise ceremony on Wednesday in Jayuya, and continued yesterday with visits to Taino sacred sites in the Ponce area such as Jacanas and Tibes.   The runners are carrying sacred matuko (staffs) that “represent the prayers of the people”.  Similar runs began in Alaska and South America last month.  An additional run also began today in Kiskeia (Dominican Republic). 

While in Ponce, the honorable Victor Vassallo of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives officially greeted the runners to the area. Vassallo also expressed his commitment to making the Taino presence more visible on the island, and expressed his thanks to the United Confederation of Taino People for making him aware of the historic initiative. 

The next stop for the group will be Arecibo on Saturday, followed by a closing ceremony in “El Yunke” rainforest. Three of the runners from Boriken then join other runners in New York to begin the East Coast run on August 5. The final destination for the various runs is Guatemala for the closing ceremony.    Donations to assist the runners on their journey can be made at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/164824 .

UCTPTN 07.20.2012

Boriken Youth to Begin Sacred Run

Yari Sierra promoting the 2012 Peace and Dignity Run in Ponce

Ponce, Boriken/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) – One of the coordinators of the 2012 Boriken Peace and Dignity Run, Yari Sierra, hosted a final fundraising activity at Ponce's Plaza del Caribe shopping mall to promote the upcoming Taíno sacred run and related events in the Ponce area. Sierra is working hard to generate the necessary funds to cover the expenses of this year’s Run scheduled to begin in two days.

Equipped with promotional material brochures and summary pages, Sierra presented video clips of last year's successful Peace and Dignity Run along with photographs to an interested public. Many individuals stopped by her information table to learn more about this historic event and the young Taíno community members that are putting this all together.

Participants and supporters of the Boriken Peace and Dignity Run will camp out at Jayuya's "Cemi Cedetra y Casa Canales" located in Coabey on Tuesday afternoon to begin preparations for Wednesday's Sunrise ceremony. This ceremony will officially begin the 2012 Peace and Dignity Run on the island, which links to an additional run down the East Coast of the U.S., and the main continental run schedule to end in Guatemala this December. An additional run will take place in Kiskeia (Dominican Republic) around the same time period.

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Runners will make the journey from CEDERTA in Jayuya to Utuado's Caguana Ceremonial Center on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday's morning events will start at Jacanas from where runners will trek to Tibes Ceremonial Park in Ponce.  From Tibes, the runners will head to Mayaguez with activities scheduled till the end of the week.

For more information on how you can support the 2012 Boriken Peace and Dignity Run contact yarisina1@yahoo.com or visit http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/164824 .

Author: Roger Guayacan Hernandez

Source: UCTP Taino News

Taíno Flag Presented to National Museum of the American Indian

José Barreiro accepts Taino Confederation flag on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution

Washington D.C. (UCTP Taino News) - On Friday, July 13 2012, the flag of the United Confederation of Taíno People was formally presented to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The flag will now become part of the Museum’s permanent collection and is scheduled to be displayed annually along with the flags of other Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere during the observance of Native American Heritage month. The Taíno flag was presented to José Barreiro, the Museum’s Assistant Director for Research by Confederation President Roberto Mukaro Borrero. The historic flag presentation opened a public symposium entitled “Beyond Extinction: Updates from the Field”, a program that culminated a week long workshop session focusing on indigenous Taíno related themes.

UCTPTN 07.08.2012