Youth-led Climate Actions Mobilize Millions Across the Globe

Members of the Bohio Atabei; the Guainía Taíno Tribe, and others participated in the September 20 Climate Strike delegation organized by the United Confederation of Taíno People.

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) – Over 4 million people, in more than 150 countries around the world, rallied and marched on Friday, September 20, 2019, as part of the growing youth-led global climate strike movement. In New York, according to various media sources, an estimated 250,000 people took to the streets to share a unified demand for action on the climate crisis. 

The actions in New York and around the world took place three days before world leaders met for the United Nations Climate Summit. In a press conference held days before the Global Climate Strike, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that “[Young people] are absolutely right to press us to do better and to unite behind science." 

The New York Climate Strike included opening and closing rallies and a massive march from Foley Square to Battery Park that was organized and led by youth activists, inspired in part, by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. 

Thunberg attended and addressed the event stating that political leaders are not acting to reduce carbon emissions despite the 2018 warning issued by the world’s leading climate scientists, who reported that the world must cut global emissions in half by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to avoid catastrophic climate change. 

Among the frontline communities participating in the march were local and international representatives of Indigenous Peoples. Opening and closing remarks and cultural offerings were presented by and or on behalf of members of the Ramapo Lenape and the Schaghticoke First Nations, as well as Indigenous Peoples of the Brazilian Amazon, Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, and a delegation of Taino peoples organized by the United Confederation of Taíno People, an indigenous representative institution that officially endorsed the September 20 action. 

In her statement from the main stage, Bibi Vanessa Inarunikia, representing the Bohio Atabei Caribbean Indigenous Women’s Circle encouraged continued actions and leadership by youth, noting this was just the beginning. Her statements were followed by the delegation singing a unity song in the Taíno language. 

The Climate Strike coincided with the second anniversary of when Hurricane Maria devasted Puerto Rico and centered on three core demands including calls for a Green New Deal; Respect of Indigenous Land and Sovereignty; and Environmental Justice. 

UCTPTN 09/21/2019

Kasibahagua shares Taíno Culture in Massachusetts

Haverhill, MA (UCTP Taíno News) - The Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society shared two successful presentations at the 31st Annual Inter-Tribal Pow Wow hosted by the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA). The event took place September 7-8 at Plug Pond in Haverhill, Mass. The Pow Wow featured the songs and dances of Indigenous Peoples from throughout the Americas, as well as artisan vendors, food, an educational component, and canoe and kayak opportunities. 

An organizational member of the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP), the Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society presented aspects of Taíno culture via dance and song, sharing stories and explanations of instruments and regalia. The group was lead by Kalichi'naru Lebron and featured an owl dance by Chali'naru Dones. 

In a related presentation, Claudia Fox Tree, M.Ed. (Yurumein Arawak), a board member of the MCNAA and a local Liaison Officer for the UCTP, led a featured educational component at the event.  Fox Tree held inter-active conversations both days for about 30 minutes with opportunities for Q & A after presentations that focused on inaccuracies and stereotypes about, as well as the contributions of Indigenous Peoples throughout history.  

UCTPTN 09/10/2019

UCTP Representative will participate in Indigenous Political Engagement Summit

Tai Pelli, United Confederation of Taíno People

Des Moines, Iowa (UCTP Taíno News) – Seeding Sovereignty, an Indigenous womxn-led collective, in collaboration with the National Network Assembly, has curated the first Indigenous Political Engagement Summit taking place from August 22-25, 2019. The summit, which will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, is being organized for indigenous leaders to learn, network, and strategize around political engagement on the own Nations and in the U.S. Congress. The summit will bring together 35 innovative indigenous leaders including UCTP representative Tai Pelli.

The Indigenous Political Engagement Summit takes place in tandem with the National Network Assembly where over 200 grassroots leaders and organizers from across the country will be present to focus on deeping relationships and broadening skills. Tai Pelli is a Borikén Taíno, a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe, and co-founder of the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization. Her presentation will focus on using the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as other United Nations mechanisms accessible to Indigenous Peoples.

The United Confederation of Taíno People is an indigenous representative institution established in 1998 to protect, defend, and preserve the heritage, spiritual traditions, and human rights of Taíno Peoples.

 UCTPTN 08/20/2019 

Tata’niki Iraheta Takes First Place in Junior Men Traditional Dance

Tata'niki Iraheta (Taíno) at the 2019 Mohegan Wigwam Festival.
(Photo credit: Marisol Velasco)

Uncasville, CT (UCTP Taíno News) – Tata’niki Iraheta, a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe, took first place in the Junior Men Traditional Dance at the Mohegan Wigwam Festival, which was held August 17 -18, 2019 in Connecticut. Eight-year Tata’niki has been participating in the Northeastern pow wow circuit since he was two-years-old, attending with his mother Chali’naru Dones, a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People. His 1st place recognition at the Wigwam Festival follows two other place awards this year achieved during the Bear Mountain Pow Wow in New York and the Narragansett Pow Wow in Massachusetts. 

 UCTPTN 08/19/2019

UCTP Liaison Officer Angel Oritz attends Mohegan Wigwam Festival

Connecticut (UCTP Taíno News) - The second day Mohegan Wigwam Festival is taking place today, August 18th, 2019 at Fort Shantock in Uncasville, Connecticut. The annual festival is free open to the public and coincides with the corn harvest. The gathering will feature traditional Mohegan and other American Indian food, music, jewelry, vendors, and dancing. Hundreds of dancers are expected to attend. UCTP Liaison Officer Angel "Lionheart" Ortiz will represent the UCTP carrying the UCTP flag in the Grand Entry that starts the dancing each day at 12noon. The festival opens at 10AM and concludes at 7PM. 

UCTPTN 08/18/2019