THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION REVIEWS THE UNITED STATES AND QUESTIONS ITS RECORD OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

IITC Delegation includes UCTP Representative, Tai Pelli

Geneva, Switzerland: From August 9 through 13, 2022 four delegates representing the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) participated in the long-awaited review of racial discrimination in the United States (US) by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) during its 107th Session in Geneva Switzerland.  CERD is the Treaty monitoring body for the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), to which the US is a State Party.

The CERD’s review will assess US. compliance with its legally binding obligations under the ICERD to eliminate racial discrimination.  This was the first review of the US since 2014 since the previous US administration chose to ignore the due date for submission of its report in November 2019. The current US report was submitted in June 2021, and representatives from 10 US government agencies participated in the review.

 

On August 9, the CERD provided the opportunity for Indigenous Peoples and Civil Society delegations to make statements about the US lack of compliance with the ICERD and to provide examples of unaddressed and unreported racial discrimination. Summer Blaze Aubrey, IITC Staff Attorney, summarized IITC’s written “Shadow Report” which addressed historic and ongoing violations of the Treaties concluded by the US with Indigenous Nations and the many forms of racial discrimination and human rights violations taking place as a result. There were also two informal breakfast meetings on August 10 and 11 in which Indigenous Peoples and Civil Society again had a chance to speak with Committee members regarding the US’s lack of compliance with the Convention.

 

The IITC also credentialed Chief Gary Harrison, Chickaloon Native Village Alaska, and IITC Consulting Attorney June Lorenzo, Laguna Pueblo and Diné. IITC Board member Tai Pelli also participated, credentialed under her organization, IITC affiliate the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP). The Western Shoshone Defense Project and the Changing Woman Initiative were among the other Indigenous delegations represented at the session.

 

The Committee carried out its formal review and questioning of the US on August 11 and 12. Mr. Mehrdad Payandeh, CERD member from Germany, focused on Indigenous issues for the review.  He questioned the US about key issues that had been raised by the Indigenous Peoples delegations, including:

• The negative impacts of colonialism on the enjoyment of human rights, highlighting that “human rights violations of Indigenous Peoples are a persistent legacy of colonialism.”
• The concrete implementation of the January 2021 Presidential memorandum on “Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships,” including efforts to give effect to Tribal Treaties.
• The US implementation of dialogues with Indigenous Peoples and traditional and Tribal leaders including Indigenous Peoples of insular territories, such as for example, the Taíno, as well as other unrecognized Indigenous Peoples.
• The failure of the US to implement CERD General Comment 23 regarding the full and non-restrictive implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent and the significant and direct impacts on Indigenous Peoples rights and way of life.
• The question of free, prior and informed consent and rights of Indigenous Peoples in regard to their land, territories, sacred sites, and way of life, including the adverse effects of the activities of the extractive industries including extraction of transition minerals, infrastructure projects, and the construction of border fences and walls.
• US response to early warning and urgent action procedures submitted by the Lipan Apache, Native Hawaiian, Gwich’in, Anishinaabe, and Western Shoshone Peoples.
• Concerns over jurisdictional complexities impacting cases of violence against Indigenous persons, especially in cases of sexual violence.
• Concerns over transnational corporations and private security companies and violations of human rights of Indigenous Peoples.

 

Based on his questions, it was clear to the IITC delegation that the Committee and Mr. Payandeh in particular had heard the concerns presented by Indigenous Peoples.  IITC looks forward to the CERD’s concluding observations regarding the US which are expected to be released before the end of the current session on August 30th.

 

Tai Pelli reflected on the power of the Indigenous Peoples delegations’ contributions in Geneva: “The strong and united collaboration of all the Indigenous delegations made a victory out of our participation.  The Committee members took into account all of the issues presented by Indigenous Peoples in their questions to the USA.”

 

The IITC’s  alternative report submitted to the CERD can be found here.  The United States’ periodic report can be found here.

Press Release courtesy of the IITC

Native America Calling: Indigenous resistance to gentrification in Puerto Rico

 Today on Native America Calling, 1PM ET, Shawn Spruce speaks with Roberto Múkaro Borrero (Taino), president of United Confederation of Taino People; Gualterio Alomar (Taino), president of the Organization for Culture of Hispanic Origins; and Tai Pelli (Taino), International relations and Human Rights Officer for the United Confederation of Taino People. https://www.indianz.com/News/2022/06/22/native-america-calling-indigenous-resistance-to-gentrification-in-puerto-rico/

Taíno Perform at Framingham Multicultural Festival

Members of the Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society at the Many Cultures, One Heart” Festival.  In photo from left to right are Tati Barahona (7), Krystal Barahona, Chali'naru Dones, and Diego Barahona (14).

Framingham, MA (UCTP Taíno News): On Saturday, June 18 from 10:00am to 3:00pm, a free, multicultural festival celebrating the artistic and ethnic diversity was held in the Centre Common Historic District of Framingham, Massachusetts. A cultural presentation by members of the Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society was among the featured programs. The event was entitled “Many Cultures, One Heart” and it was organized a part of a public art project designed to highlight the artistic and ethnic diversity of Framingham through a series of heart sculptures painted by local artists and placed around the Cultural District and the City of Framingham. 

"We are here to keep our culture alive one day at a time, with harmony, honor, and respect, " stated group leader Chali'naru Dones, who is member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe and a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People.

All of the new public art statues were unveiled during the “Many Cultures, One Heart” Festival. This presented a perfect opportunity for the public to see each piece "up close and personal." There were dozens of arts & crafts booths and several free craft projects. In addition to the Kasibahagua Taíno Cultural Society, other presented included CJT Dream Dance, The Brothers Walk Band, MOHI Parivar, Ezekiel's Wheels Klezmer Band, Phoenix Orchestra, Tarciso Alves Band, Los Sugar Kings, and Heavey Quinn Academy of Irish Dance. The artists on this project represent the many communities that call Framingham home, and include Black, Indigenous, Asian, Brazilian, Latino, white, multiracial, Jewish, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists from all walks of life, ranging from teens to seniors.

UCTPTN 06.18.2022

Mercado Agroartesanal

 

Breaking news // Noticias de última hora

 

Acción Directa: Protejamos a Caguana!

 

Declaración sobre el Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana en Utuado

8 de abril de 2022 – La Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno (CUPT), junto a otros hermanos y hermanas indígenas de Borikén, hacemos la siguiente declaración sobre la controversial disputa sobre si nuestro Parque Ceremonial Indígena de Caguana en Utuado, Puerto Rico, queda en manos del Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña ó si se cambia a que éste quede bajo la tutela y autoridad del Municipio de Utuado y lo cual le permitiría brindar titularidad a terceras partes.

Cabe aclarar que aunque estamos bajo un sistema colonial a manos de Estados Unidos, éste finalmente adoptó la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas en diciembre de 2010. Entre los compromisos de los signatarios de dicha Declaración está el de la implementación. Aclaramos que Estados Unidos también adoptó la Declaración Americana sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas de la OEA. El que no hayamos sido reconocidos por el Estado o Federalmente no le resta al hecho de que tenemos nuestros derechos, que incluyen el derecho a la libre determinación y el cual incluye la auto-identificación, y el derecho al Consentimiento Libre, Previo e Informado.

Artículo 11

1. Los pueblos indígenas tienen derecho a practicar y revitalizar sus tradiciones y costumbres culturales. Ello incluye el derecho a mantener, proteger y desarrollar las manifestaciones pasadas, presentes y futuras de sus culturas, como lugares arqueológicos e históricos, objetos, diseños, ceremonias, tecnologías, artes visuales e interpretativas y literaturas.

2. Los Estados proporcionarán reparación por medio de mecanismos eficaces, que podrán incluir la restitución, establecidos conjuntamente con los pueblos indígenas, respecto de los bienes culturales, intelectuales, religiosos y espirituales de que hayan sido privados sin su consentimiento libre, previo e informado o en violación de sus leyes, tradiciones y costumbres.

Artículo 12

1. Los pueblos indígenas tienen derecho a manifestar, practicar, desarrollar y enseñar sus tradiciones, costumbres y ceremonias espirituales y religiosas; a mantener y proteger sus lugares religiosos y  culturales y a acceder a ellos privadamente; a utilizar y controlar sus objetos de culto, y a obtener la repatriación de sus restos humanos.

2. Los Estados procurarán facilitar el acceso y/o la repatriación de objetos de culto y de restos humanos que posean mediante mecanismos justos, transparentes y eficaces establecidos conjuntamente con los pueblos indígenas interesados.

Exigimos un "¡ALTO!" a este proceso y que se cumpla con nuestro derecho al Consentimiento Libre, Previo e Informado, haciendo un llamado para una reunión con representantes de los Pueblos Indígenas de Borikén y que cada agencia nos demuestre su propuesta de un Plan de Manejo Eficiente y la seguridad de que el Patrimonio de Borikén, en este caso nuestro Centro Ceremonial Sagrado no sea titulado a manos privadas; y la garantía de que dicho lugar sagrado no vaya a ser profanado de ninguna forma.

Al Gobierno de Puerto Rico le consta que tiene comunidades indígenas y también sabe que los Indígenas de Borikén han estado defendiendo sus sitios sagrados y sus derechos desde siempre: dentro de plataformas locales, estatales, regionales e internacionales.

Recordemos el Grito de Caguana el 25 de julio de 2005, cuando en símbolo de protesta por el descuido y deterioro de Caguana del Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, miembros de la comunidad Taíno se parapetaron en el Centro Ceremonial llegando hasta a una huelga de hambre por una de nuestras más respetadas abuelas. Dicha abuela terminó siendo removida ante armas largas que amenazaron su seguridad estando ella en defensa de nuestro patrimonio y libre de armas. Fue también objeto de la infame práctica colonialista de Criminalización a Los Defensores de Derechos Humanos.

La presencia del Pueblo Indígena de Borikén, que es representado por decenas de miles de personas Indígenas, también ya consta en los censos federales, por lo tanto, exigimos se respeten nuestros derechos y que se cumpla con los compromisos hechos ante las Naciones Unidas, Convenios, Tratados y Declaraciones Internacionales, y por supuesto con los compromisos de las agencias cuyos mandatos son el proteger el patrimonio del Pueblo Borikua y Puertorriqueño.

Para más información puede comunicarse con Tai Pelli, Oficial de Relaciones Internacionales & Derechos Humanos, CUPT,  al (321)444-1386 o escribiendo a: taipelli21@gmail.com . 

Taíno Elder Mildred Karaira Gandia Crosses Over Into Koaibei (Spirit World)

Miami, Florida (UCTP Taíno News) – Taíno elder, Mildred “Karaira” Gandia Reyes de Ziegelasch crossed over into Koaibei (the spirit world) on Sunday, February 6, 2022, due to complications arising from COVID 19. A long-time representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), and a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe of Borikén, Bibi (Grandmother) Karaira was beloved across Taíno communities through the islands and the Diaspora. Karaira was an alumnus of Tribal Link Foundation’s Project Access Global Capacity Building Workshop for Indigenous Peoples, a human rights activist, an avid gardener, a spiritual advisor, and a devoted mother and grandmother. 

“We are greatly saddened to learn about Bibi Karaira’s passing and the Confederation will pause in its work to honor and her commitment not only to the UCTP but to all Taíno Peoples” stated Kasike R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero, President of the UCTP and a leader of the Guainía Taíno Tribe. Borrero continued by stating “Bibi Karaira had strong opinions, a big generous heart, and a great pride regarding our ancestors and our culture. She will be missed in this physical world and our sincere condolences extend to her immediate and extended family around the world.” 

During her time as a liaison for the Confederation, she participated in many community and international gatherings. Karaira helped to organize the Taíno delegation to the 32nd Anniversary International Indian Treaty Council Conference hosted by the Independent Traditional Seminole Nation of Florida in 2006, was a UCTP delegate to the IITC's Guatemala Treaty Conference in 2008, and was the main delegate and a signatory on a treaty between the Confederation and the St. David's Indian Community of Bermuda in 2009. In 2016, Bibi Karaira represented the UCTP at the panel on Climate Change organized by the City of Hialeah.  

The Honorable Governor of Bermuda, Sir Richard Gozney, UCTP
Liaison Mildred Karaira Gandia, and Stephen Tucker, Chairman of the
St. David’s Islanders and Native Community in Bermuda, 2009. (UCTP Photo)

Bibi Karaira made her home in Miami, Florida with her family and was on extended medical leave from her liaison responsibilities from the UCTP. She continued to mentor and offer spiritual counseling to many. 

Behike Miguel Sobaoko Koromo Sague of the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle stated “The hupia (Spirits) have welcomed a new soul into their community of Koaibei, and even as we mourn the loss of this beautiful grandmother, we know that she will continue to guide and advise us from the spirit realm.”

Bibi Karaira blessing Behike Miguel Sague in 2017. 

Karaira was a featured participant in many of the spiritual ceremonial gatherings organized by Behike Sague in the Miami area.

Bibi Karaira is survived by her two sons, Jose Richard Cruz Gandia Jr. and Justin “Seiba” Ziegelasch Gandia and her husband Roland Ziegelasch.

UCTPTN 02/07/2022