‘Barbadiana Jones’ First Outsider to See Hidden Water Falls in Guyana Interior

BARBADOS - Some people call Damon Corrie a real life ‘Barbadiana Jones‘, a reference to the adventurous ‘Indiana Jones‘ a fictitious explorer of Hollywood fame. Corrie is of Barbadian birth and Guyanese Amerindian descent. He is well-known in local, regional & international circles for two things primarily – his promotion of Indigenous Rights and his promotion of Guyana as the 'premier Eco-Adventure Paradise' destination in the Americas.

See the full article at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=656&Itemid=2

Census Data Continues to Shed Light on Boricua Identity

Borikén/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - Puerto Rico's Institute of Culture, a governmental agency, has historically promoted the island's demographic heritage as a blending of three cultures – American Indian, Spanish, and African – forming one a national identity. Many Puerto Rican scholars continue to highlight 'cultural' blending as officially they have erroneously claimed the local indigenous population was exterminated in the first 50 years of colonization. Data released from the 2010 U.S. Census documents a different perspective as more “Puerto Ricans” are defining themselves as American Indians.

See the full article at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=655&Itemid=2

Editorial: What’s in a name - Arawak or Taíno?

There is widespread confusion concerning the application of the term Arawak on Caribbean Indigenous Peoples. This is not surprising given our disparate state across the islands and into the Diaspora. As descendants of the first Indigenous Peoples in the Western hemisphere to be labeled Indians, our communities are dealing with over 500 years of colonization and misinformation via educational institutions promoting ideologies that were established by the colonizers.

To read the full editorial visit: http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=654&Itemid=2

Roberto Múkaro Borrero is a Borikén Taíno historian, artist, and activist who currently serves as President of the United Confederation of Taíno People. He can be contacted at mukaro@uctp.org or at www.uctp.org.

Algonquin elder William Commanda Passes into the Spirit World

Roberto Borrero (Taino), Grandfather William Commanda (Algonquin), and Lizzy Sarobei (Taino) at the 'Prayer Vigil for the Earth' in Washington DC. Photo Credit: UCTP Archives

OTTAWA, Canada (UCTP Taino News) – William Commanda, an internationally respected Algonquin elder died quietly in his home early Wednesday morning at the age of 97. Commanda was recently released from the hospital where he was treated for kidney related illness.

Grandfather Commanda was a trapper, guide, a master canoe maker, and a spiritual leader with a local, national, and international following. He was a chief of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg reserve north of Ottawa from 1951 to 1970.

The holder of three historic and sacred wampum belts, Commanda was well-received and admired for his messages of peace and environmentalism wherever he traveled. He was best known for his efforts to build bridges of understanding between cultures.

Indigenous leaders around the world are mourning his passing. Statements of condolence have already been issued from the Assembly of First Nations and the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council.

"Grandfather Commanda was a great friend and supporter of the Taino People” stated Roberto Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taino People’s Office of International Relations and Regional Coordination. “Some time ago he sent a sacred eagle feather to our elders in Boriken (Puerto Rico) to signify our spiritual connection."

Borrero continued stating "Over the years, some of our representatives had the honor to work together with Grandfather Commanda at various international indigenous gatherings. He will be long remembered for his wisdom and greatly missed."

A vigil for Grandfather Commanda began Wednesday night at his home near Maniwaki and is set to continue until his burial there on Friday afternoon. A celebration of his life is scheduled to continue through the weekend at the “Circle of All Nations”, a gathering Commanda hosted annually.

UCTPTN 08.04.2011

A Full Moon By Any Other Name

UCTP Taino News - Tonight’s full moon will rise in the southeastern sky in the constellation Capricornus and be visible all night long.

Known by many names, some recognize July’s full moon as the ‘Full Hay Moon’ because it's around this time that farmers harvest, bale and stow hay for the winter.

Northeastern Algonquian peoples call this moon the ‘Full Buck Moon’ as it corresponds to the time when male deer grow new antlers. This moon is also called the 'Thunder Moon' as thunderstorms are common during this time.

For some Taino people, tonight’s full moon offers an opportunity to connect spiritually with the universe and the ancestors. Many Taino women view the full moon as a special time for ceremony individually or collectively.

On the occasion of this full moon one Taino Bibi (Mother/Grandmother), Mildred Karaira Gandia Reyes shared these thoughts “May grandmother Maroia (Moon) always shine upon our spirit, fill our hearts with happiness, love, and guidance in respect and honor of the true Taino way.”

UCTPTN 07.15.2011