Puerto Rican Citizenship Applications Now Online

Boriken (UCTP Taino News) - Puerto Rico’s Secretary of State Office has recently begun offering "Puerto Rican citizenship" certificates to all interested individuals considered eligible. Certificates of Puerto Rican citizenship are issued to any persons born on the island as well as to those born outside of the island but who have at least one parent who was born on the island. Any U.S. citizen with at least one year of residence on the island is also eligible for the official citizenship certificate.

Registrants will now be among the Puerto Ricans in history to have been issued an "official" certificate of Puerto Rican citizenship.

While some Puerto Ricans who have obtained their Puerto Rican citizenship certificates have also renounced their U.S. citizenship, this action is not requirement nor is the certificate a valid travel document such as a passport.

As a result of the island's "commonwealth" status, the certificate and the concept of "Puerto Rican Citizenship" have already sparked criticism with regard to their value and symbolism. The Puerto Rican Secretary of State, Fernando J. Bonilla, affirms however that the certificate guarantees "countless fundamental rights" and can be used to apply for or request services from different government agencies. Bonilla has also expressed that the certificates "effectively displays the Puerto Rican citizenship, which is separate and distinct to U.S. citizenship".

Information and applications forms which can be mailed in or completed online can be found at the Puerto Rican State Department's website at http://www.estado.gobierno.pr/Ciudadania_PR.htm

Amerindian Heritage Day in Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad & Tobago (UCTP Taino News) - Amerindian Heritage Day will be celebrated in Trinidad & Tobago on October 14, 2007. The Santa Rosa Carib Community of Arima will be hosting a series of events that will take place from October 14 - 19 to commemorate this annual observance recognizing Trinidad's indigenous cultural heritage. Daily educational radio spots are scheduled to be presented focusing on Arima's Indigenous community, traditional foods and medicines, history, customs, arts as well as other related topics. Lectures, cultural events, and a meeting of the Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples are also set during this time with delegates arriving from throughout the Caribbean including Taino representatives of the Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos (Puerto Rico) and the United Confederation of Taino People.

Photo: Members of the Santa Rosa Carib Community during the feast of Santa Rosa in Trinidad. From Catholic News

Say NO to Columbus Day!

Before Columbus sailed the Atlantic, he was a slave trader for the Portuguese, transporting West African people to Portugal to be sold as slaves. The Columbus legacy is steeped in blood, violence, and death. Why Transform Columbus Day?

The Transform Columbus Day Alliance actively rejects the celebration of Christopher Columbus and his legacy of domination, oppression, and colonialism. We also reject historical misconceptions regarding Columbus and his "discovery" of the Americas. By saying NO to Columbus and his day we are saying YES to a new future of mutual respect, collaboration, and equality, a future that respects:

=the rights of indigenous peoples

=the natural environment

=democratic & economic justice

=gender equity over global patriarchy

=free and equal speech over hate speech

Indigenous Resist!

For more info visit http://www.transformcolumbusday.com/

The United Confederation of Taino People is a member of the Transform Columbus Day Alliance

Hurricane Dean pummels Jamaica

This NOAA satellite image taken Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007 at 1:45 PM EDT shows a dangerous category 4 hurricane, Hurricane Dean, bearing down on Jamaica with winds of 145 mph. This storm is on track to make either a direct hit on the island's southern shore or a very near pass later on today. (AP PHOTO/WEATHER UNDERGROUND)

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Hurricane Dean pummeled Jamaica with gusting winds and torrential rains Sunday after the prime minister made a last-minute plea for residents to abandon their homes and head for shelter. Many residents ignored the call, however, while tourists holed up in resorts with hurricane-proof walls.

The storm, which had already killed eight people on its destructive march across the Caribbean, triggered evacuation calls from the Cayman Islands to Texas, and forced the Space Shuttle to cut short its mission. Cruise ships changed course to avoid Dean, but some tourists in Jamaica could not get away before the island closed its airports late Saturday.

Read the full story at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070819/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/tropical_weather

AP Video

Suriname commemorates International Day for Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples in Suriname Celebrate
National Indigenous Day on August 9th 2007
Photo: OIS

Story by Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: For the first time in its history Suriname last week observed International Day for the Indigenous Peoples as a national holiday. Nationwide festivities and cultural activities were held by Amerindian organisations in Suriname, while indigenous peoples worldwide held ceremonies in recognition of their rights.

At the main event in the Palmentuin (Palms Garden) in Paramaribo, President Ronald Venetiaan argued that the proclamation of August 9 as a national holiday is a recognition of the position of the indigenous groups. Representatives of the Amerindians, Suriname's original inhabitants, for years pressed for a national holiday recognising their historical rights and position in the country.

In his statement, President Venetiaan called for unity between the indigenous groups and the government to tackle problems and issues these tribal folks have to deal with.

"Let's put our hands together," said the Head of State, adding that disunion would lead nowhere.

Amerindians in Suriname are the least developed group in Suriname, since most of their communities and villages are located in the remote areas of the country. Most of the villages lack basic facilities and government services such as schools and medical clinics, electricity and running water, while the cost of transportation to the capital is very high.

Nardo Aloema, chairman of the Organisation of Indigenous Peoples in Suriname (OIS) called for recognition of the rights of these groups. Currently indigenous tribes are fighting for ownership of land rights in Suriname, while they also want to see more development in their communities, since most forestry and mining activities are taking place in their traditional habitat.

"We have covered a lot of ground, but there is still more work to be done. This national holiday is not the beginning or the end, but just a milestone and a very important success," said Aloema.

Several top government officials, diplomats and business leaders attended the ceremonies, while an indigenous group from French Guiana was also present.

The International Day for the Indigenous Peoples has served to raise awareness on how indigenous peoples worldwide suffer marginalisation, exploitation, expulsion from their land and destruction of their culture, identities and habitats.

Every year a growing number of indigenous communities are resisting and speaking up for their own rights.

Story Source: Caribbean Net News

============

Related UCTP Story:
Suriname to Celebrate National Indigenous Day
http://uctp.blogspot.com/2007/08/suriname-to-celebrate-national.html

See Also: Indigenous Peoples of Suriname Speak Out on UN Declaration - Review letter of Leon Ericson Wijngaarde, the President of the Organization of Indigenous Peoples in Suriname (OIS) at: http://indigenouscaribbeancaucus.blogspot.com/2007/08/indigenous-peoples-of-suriname-speak.html