Occupy Wall Street Welcomes Indigenous Peoples

A Day of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples at Occupy Wall Street. From left to right: Jen Yazzie (Navajo), Roberto Mukaro Borrero (Taino), Kent Lebsock (Lakota, and Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota).
Photo credit: Alyssa Macy

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) – As the United States officially celebrated Columbus Day on Monday, indigenous peoples joined thousands of activists to commemorate “Indigenous Peoples Day” at Occupy Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. Representatives of several local, national, and international indigenous organizations and community groups led a “teach-in and then an historic march down to the National Museum of the American Indian. The indigenous representatives also presented an ‘indigenous platform’, which noted that “without addressing justice for indigenous peoples, there can never be a genuine movement for justice and equality in the United States.”


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http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=666&Itemid=2

4th Indigenous Peoples Day of Remembrance Commemorated

Mexica dancers present their ceremonial "danza" at the 4th Annual Indigenous Day of Remembrance.

New York, NY (UCTP Taíno News) – The 4th Annual “Indigenous Day of Remembrance” was held at Merchant’s Gate across from Columbus Circle in New York City on Sunday, October 9th, 2011. The event was organized by a small group of area activists led by Luis “Iukibuel” Ramos (Taíno). Participants of the well-attended event included local and visiting indigenous peoples, supporters, and an interested public.

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http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=667&Itemid=2

Puerto Rico plans to decide its political future

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The governor of Puerto Rico announced Tuesday that he will present local legislators with a plan for a two-part referendum next year to decide the political future of the U.S. territory once and for all.

See the full story at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=664&Itemid=2

‘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