CARICOM SG: Chavez a true friend of Caribbean Community

CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana - Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has described the late President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez as a “true friend” of the Community.

In a message of condolence to the Government of Venezuela, the Secretary-General said that the late President Chavez, who died on Tuesday following a battle with cancer, “demonstrated solidarity with the Governments and People of the Caribbean Community throughout his tenure and created avenues for co-operation and strengthening relations with the Governments and improving the lives of the people.”

President Chavez with Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller
photo by Jamaica Gleaner

Following is the full text of the Secretary-General’s message:

“It is with deep sadness that the Caribbean Community has learnt of the passing of a true friend, His Excellency Hugo Chavez, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

President Chavez demonstrated solidarity with the Governments and People of the Caribbean Community throughout his tenure and created avenues for co-operation and strengthening relations with the Governments and improving the lives of the people.

His vision of bringing together the people of Latin America and the Caribbean was driven by his deep sense of concern for the well-being of the disadvantaged in society, not only in his own country but in the wider region.

His struggle with the disease that finally claimed his life epitomised the heart and spirit which he brought to bear in his attempts to raise the standard of living of the less fortunate in his homeland, in the Caribbean and the wider region.

I extend, on my own behalf and on that of the Caribbean Community, deepest condolences to the family of President Chavez and to the Government and People of Venezuela. I am confident that the strength and spirit of the Venezuelan people, so strikingly exemplified by President Chavez, will sustain the country in its time of grief.

May he rest in peace.”

Source: Overseas Review

Local Boriken Taíno Leader, Jose Xuerix Guaynia Camacho Passes into Koaibei

Boriken (UCTP Taino News) - Respected singer and Boriken (Puerto Rico) tribal community leader of “Tainos Ciba-Ro Turey,” Jose “Xuerix Guaynia” Camacho closed his eyes and passed on to Koaibei (the Spirit World) after a long battle with cancer on Thursday.  

Xuerix Camacho was a renowned “Doo Wop” crooner for "The Sentimentals," a Boriken-based 1960's singing group, popular for their renditions of romantic ballads and vocal harmonies. His artistic experience and natural leadership abilities led him to advocate for indigenous justice on the on the Island over the past 25 years. Xuerix participated in "El Grito de Kaguana", the 2005 community action that saw local Taíno leaders take over the Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center to highlight the desecration of sacred sites in Boriken.

Xuerix also gained political notoriety confronting Senator Fonte on local television; when he questioned the elected official’s political support for zoning variances along San Juan oceanfront. The variances later proved to be disastrous to the environment, leading to Senator Fonte’s indictment and subsequent incarceration for numerous illegal political practices.

A proud supporter and registered member of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), Xuerix was often seen leading protest marches and participating in Taíno community gatherings, as well as educational awareness activities around the island.  Xuerix Guaynia Camacho founded "Tainos Ciba-Ro Turey" to honor his Boriken Taíno ancestors.

He is survived by his beloved Mother, Margatita Garcia Rosado, and long-time companion, Moraika Sánchez.

Arrangements are being made for his viewing at Ehret Funeral Hall in Cupey.

UCTP Taíno News 03.08.2013

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

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

Taino Peoples Continue to Unify in the Caribbean

St. Thomas, USVI (UCTP Taino News)  - Opia Taino of St. Thomas and the United Confederation of Taino People adopted a Declaration of Unity on Sunday, December 2^nd at Magens Bay, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The historic treaty was ratified in a special ceremony by Maekiaphan and Tesroy Phillips and other members of the local Taino and Carib community represented by Opia Taino and Roberto Mukaro Borrero, representing the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP). 

“This is a significant moment in our collective history” stated Borrero. “We are affirming and honoring our ancestral connections across the region in an effort to promote our ancient Indigenous heritage to our present and future generations.” 

Maekiaphan Phillips  agreed stating, “I personally feel that the signing of this treaty was extremely important and significant, not only by words but by documentation so that we secure not only our past, but protect our future generations, and dismiss the myth that Taino People are extinct.“

She continued, noting that “The signing of the Treaty out at Magens Bay, an actual ancient Amerindian site here in the Virgin Islands, displayed the utmost respect for our ancestors”  

Senator-elect Myron Jackson, Maekiaphan Phillips, Roberto Boreero, Tesory Phillips, Ayesha Morris, and local children take part in the treaty signing in Magens Bay, St. Thomas. 

Also in attendance were Senator-elect, the honorable Myron Jackson, Ayesha Morris of the Virgin Islands Humanities Council, and other prominent members of the local community. The ceremony included a procession around the Magens Bay Arboretum, a conservancy of nearly three quarter of a mile featuring indigenous and exotic plant and tree species. The Arboretum is the site of an ancient indigenous settlement, as well as a colonial-era plantation.  Located on the North (Atlantic) side of the island, Magens Bay features a well-protected, world renowned white sand beach. 

“If we do not display unity, the myth of us being savage will then prove to be true” states Phillips. “I feel it is important for all Taíno People to embrace each other so that our future generations will be honored to not only say we are the descendants of the Taíno, but we are Taíno.” 

UCTPTN 12.12.2012