Dr. Erica Mercado Moore Join appointed UCTP Liaison Officer in South Dakota

South Dakota (UCTP Taíno News) - The United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) has appointed Erica Mercado Moore as a UCTP Liaison Officer in the State of South Dakota. Dr. Moore is a community member of Iukaieke Guainía and South Dakota State University's American Indian Student Center Director. She began her work at SDSU in July 2019 after spending four years as the chief academic officer at the Lower Brule Community College.

"We are very excited to welcome Dr. Moore as part of our leadership community. Her passion and experience in supporting American Indian students in higher education will greatly assist the Confederation in its work at the local, national, and international level," stated R. Múkaro Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taíno People. 

Moore earned her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maryland University College and a master’s degree in history from the American Military University. She completed her doctorate from Northcentral University in 2016.

UCTPTN 03/03/2021

Puerto Rico’s Governor Expected to Resign Today

Some of the indigenous community members participating in the mass mobilization in San Juan on Monday, July 22, 2019. 
(Photo courtesy of Bibi Aya Joanna Aviles Soto)

Borikén (Puerto Rico) – Various news sources are reporting that Puerto Rico’s Gov. Ricardo Rosselló is expected to resign today, Wednesday, July 24 after more than a week of demonstrations in San Juan, the island’s capital.

Hundreds of thousands of islanders have been taking part in demonstrations for over 10 days calling for Rossello’s resignation after the Center of Investigative Journalism published a series of leaked chat messages between the governor and his senior staff that included degrading "jokes" about victims of Hurricane Maria, as well as homophobic and misogynistic language about political opponents and government officials.

The leaks were published on July 13, which was the same week the FBI arrested Education Secretary Julia Keleher and Angela Avila Marrero, executive director of the island's health insurance administration as part of a federal corruption investigation. Rosello’s Chief of Staff, Ricardo Llerandi Cruz submitted his resignation on Tuesday, July 23. If Rossello does resign, he would be replaced by Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez.

The demonstrations brought out Puerto Ricans from all sectors including members of the island’s indigenous peoples. Ahead of the massive action on July 22, a diverse coalition of Taíno and other indigenous peoples of the island published a declaration on July21st affirming solidarity with the public actions calling for Rossello’sresignation.

Indigenous solidarity was not limited to within the island as support actions took place across the Diaspora with Taíno people participating in these actions and in online "#RickyRenuncia" campaigns.

Taíno supporting the actions in solidarity from New York City.
(Photo courtesy of Bohio Atabei)

UCTP Taíno News 7/24/2019

Declaración de parte de miembros de los Pueblos Originarios de Borikén y de todo su territorio ancestral

Hoy, por este medio deseamos expresar como miembr@s de los Pueblos Originarios de Borikén, Pueblos Indígenas en toda su manifestación incluyendo la territorial ancestral y en la diáspora, unimos nuestras voces y apoyo al reclamo del Pueblo Borikua y Puertorriqueño para exigir la renuncia del actual gobernador de Puerto Rico, Ricardo Roselló Nevares.

Es en éste momento histórico, donde como miembr@s de la comunidad originaria de Borikén y quienes por siglos hemos sido recipientes de la opresión de un sistema impuesto colonial, decimos presente en un acto de solidaridad con tod@s nuestr@s herman@s.

¡Basta ya! La resiliencia y reivindicación de toda nuestra gente es la que ha permitido que hayamos enfrentado los retos más difíciles y que podamos decir de frente y de pie; ¡Aquí estamos y estaremos! La colectividad de abusos; como lo son la destrucción de nuestros modos de vida; el costo de vida inalcanzable y los sueldos que no suben a la par; el tener que habernos despedido de nuestros seres amados por verse obligad@s a cruzar el océano para tratar de protegerse del abandono social y el saqueo económico, mientras tras bastidores se buscaban medios de cómo lograr enriquecer a algunos a costillas del pueblo; los atropellos a nuestr@s niñ@s al cerrar escuelas; los atropellos a la salud de nuestra gente; donde las enfermedades no-contagiosas como cáncer, alta presión, enfermedades respiratorias, niñ@s que nacen con malformaciones sigue en aumento y donde los medios de atención médica siguen mermando; donde se ha abusado y continúa abusando de nuestra Madre Tierra con deforestación, contaminando nuestro aire, agua y tierra, y quien la defiende es criminalizad@, con el gobierno favoreciendo y utilizando la fuerza policiaca para defender las acciones de quienes nos matan poco a poco con sus contaminantes y prácticas.

Somos originari@s de un sistema matrilineal, donde siempre ha existido el respeto y la integridad a la mujer, al igual que a tod@ miembr@ de la comunidad. Somos un pueblo que brinda respeto a sus muert@s. Somos un pueblo donde la integridad y la dignidad preceden nuestras acciones.

Es por ésto y muchísimas razones más que despedimos a Ricky Roselló, determinamos que renuncie a su puesto. Consideramos que es el mejor modo de ponerle un fin a la incertidumbre, indignación que vivimos tod@s ante su empeño de permanecer en un puesto donde no lo queremos. ¡Que renuncie y se vaya de nuestro territorio! Que piense en sus hij@s que no merecen crecer en un ambiente en donde su padre es despreciado; Ell@s no merecen tener que vivir ésto; pero el pueblo tampoco, ni el cuerpo policíaco de Puerto Rico. Sabemos que algunos se hallan entre la espada y la pared, como también que algun@s se prestan para hacer daño a sus propios compatriotas. Sin embargo, reconocemos que no se puede catalogar a tod@s en general. De manera que tanto ell@s como sus familias también han de ser considerad@s.

La Representación Indígena no se va a detener, como tampoco ningún Borikua o Puertorriqueño que ya esté cansado de los atropellos y un futuro incierto. ¡No nos pararán!

¡¡¡ Descolonización ya !!!

Nota del Editor - La Declaración colocada arriba fue compartida por diversos individuos indígenas buscando apoyo; no es una declaración de la Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno (CUPT/UCTP, por sus siglas en inglés). La Declaración se ha publicado aquí en las noticias de la CUPT con propósitos informativos y educacionales.

National Day of Action supported by Taíno Confederation

Roberto Múkaro Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taíno People addresses the crowd gathered for the National Day of Action on behalf of Puerto Rico at Union Square Park in New York 

Union Square, NY (UCTP Taíno News) - Hundreds of Puerto Ricans and allies came out on Wednesday, October 11 to Union Square Park to support a "National Day of Action" on behalf of Puerto Rico, which was ravaged by Hurricane Maria last month. Millions of people across the archipelago are still without electricity. There continues to be limited access to food, water, and many residents have completely lost their homes. The Climate Justice Alliance called action urging people to organize marches and hold rallies to support a “just recovery and transition”for Puerto Rico. Speakers called for full debt relief for Puerto Rico; permanent lifting of the Jones Act; transparent decision-making process for the distribution of resources; detailed screening for environmental justice concerns; among other demands. Roberto Múkaro Borrero was among the first to address the assembly affirming the support of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) for the National Day of Action. He also recognized the island's over 500 years of colonial history as a part of the root cause of its current situation. The UCTP has set up a webpage for updated information following the hurricane and is working with community members on and of the island toward relief efforts.

UCTPTN 10/12/2017

A Taíno Kasike joins other Indigenous Leaders at Historic Gathering in Peru

Kasike Roberto Múkaro Borrero (at left) with Chief Caleen Sisk (Wintu - at center) and Casey Campy (Ponca - at right) at the Pachacamac Ceremonial Center in Peru

Pachacamac, Peru (UCTP Taíno News) – Indigenous leaders from throughout the Western Hemisphere gathered in Peru from 23-25 August 2017 in recognition of the 10^th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The events where organized by the indigenous organization Chirapaq and the agenda included a ceremonial gathering at the sacred ceremonial center of Pachacamac and a two-day conference, which focused on the history of the global indigenous movement including a current assessment of state of Indigenous Peoples around the world. Among the respected delegates invited was Roberto “Múkaro Agueibaná” Borrero, chief of the Guainia Taíno community and President of the United Confederation of Taíno People. Borrero was representing the International Indian Treaty Council and invited to share information on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Post2030 Agenda.

Before the two-day conference, participants gathered at the sacred ceremonial center of Pachacamac, which is about 40 kilometres southeast of Lima, Peru in the Valley of the Lurín River. While the ancient ceremonial complex is now designated as a museum, Indigenous Peoples from around Peru continue to use the ceremonial grounds for spiritual purposes at various times during the year.  In earlier times, the area was used by pre and post-Inca cultures after being first settled around A.D. 200. It was named after the "Earth Maker" Creator Pacha Kamaq and its role as a significant ceremonial center flourished for about 1,300 years until the Spanish invaded.

The ceremony held on August 23^rd was led by indigenous women and it focused on peace and the health of Indigenous Peoples’ communities. Borrero was the only male who was invited to share a statement and a ceremonial song at the historic gathering.

UCTPTN 08.30.2017

Taíno join opposition to Financial Control Board for Borikén (Puerto Rico)

Vanessa Inarunikia Pastrana and Roberto Mukaro Borrero sound the guamo 
(conch shells) to open the demonstration in New York opposing the 
U.S. imposed Financial Oversight and Management Board for Borikén 
(Puerto Rico). Photo courtesy of Mario Rubén Carrión

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) - On Friday, September 30, a diverse group of human rights defenders rallied in New York to voice their opposition to the first formal meeting the newly created and U.S. imposed Financial Oversight and Management Board for Borikén (Puerto Rico). The rally was held outside the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in New York, home to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in NY. The rally opened with an indigenous Taíno invocation to the 4 directions and followed with about 3 hours of passionate calls to abolish the board and end colonialism for Puerto Rico. 

The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico was created by the Obama administration’s Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act, or Promesa as a way to deal with Puerto Rico’s economic crisis, which includes a debt of over 70 Billion dollars. Many activists and analysts note that it is the colonial condition of Puerto Rico that has created the crisis and the U.S. should be accountable for the debt. This control board named Jose Carrión III as chairman, clearing the way to officially take over financial decision-making from Puerto Rico’s government. A Republican, Carrión was recommended by House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). He also presides over the Puerto Rico subsidiary of HUB International, a global insurance brokerage company. His appointment is controversial as he is the brother-in-law of Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico’s non-voting member in Congress. 

At the demonstration, Roberto Múkaro Borrero stated the “imposition of this financial control board by the United States violates Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination.” Borrero continued stating that “Promesa and along with the continuance of the Jones Act are clear proof of the island’s colonial status.” Borrero is a community leader representing the Guainia Taíno Tribe and is the current President of the United Confederation of Taíno People. Borrero continued stating that a specific area of concern with the legislation is that “it gives the board the power to expedite approvals of energy and other projects they deem critical, which could have severe consequences to the island’s environment if the projects are not evaluated properly.” 

Puerto Rico’s central government, three retirement systems (teachers, judicial and employees), university (UPR) and all its public corporations, including the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority and Electric Power Authority, are now under the immediate control of the new entity. The board also has oversight over the restructuring negotiations with creditors. The governor of Puerto Rico holds a non-voting position on the board, In addition, the board and its employees are exempt from liability claims. 

There is no information as to when the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico will meet next. 

UCTPTN 09.30.2016

NYC Mayor de Blasio Approves Borinqueneers Way

In this photo: Katherine Benson (EH Preservation); Rosa Cruz (PR Federal Affairs); Zaida Rodriguez (EH Borinqueneers Honoring Committee- EHBHC); Mayor Bill de Blasio; Roger Hernandez (EHBHC/UCTP); Evelyn Collazao (EHBHC); and Ruben Pratts (Purple Heart Recipient and Taino Community Member).

City Hall, New York City (UCTP Taino News) – On August 3rd, 2016 New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed off on naming 102nd Street and Lexington Avenue as "Borinqueneers Way." The street naming will honor the members of the U.S. Army 65th Infantry Regiment, a segregated unit made up of Puerto Ricans, who fought in World War I & II, and Korea. The street renaming was lead by Roger Hernandez, the Chairman of the East Harlem Borinqueneers Honoring Committee and a founding board member of the United Confederation of Taino People.  

The U.S. Army 65th Infantry Regiment received their nickname from the soldiers themselves on their way to Korea who referenced the Taino name for the island of Puerto Rico, Borikén, as many were direct descendants of the indigenous Tribe. Today, many Puerto Ricans refer to themselves as Boricuas in recognition of the Caribbean Indigenous heritage of their homeland - Borikén. 

On April 13th, 2016, the U.S. Congress unveiled the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington, DC to honor the service and sacrifice of the previously forgotten solders of the 65th Infantry. Following-up on this historic initiative, Hernandez and the East Harlem Committee organized several events to raise awareness about the regiment including facilitating the presentation bronze-cast replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal in an awards ceremony to honor the New York and New Jersey area veterans who were unable to attend the Washington DC event. 

Fifty-six veterans received the medals in this special ceremony that took place at Hunter College on July 17th, 2016. The Hunter College event was live-streamed by the Center for Puerto Rican Studies and is one of several local ceremonies that have been planned or will be planned across the country.

“While I was in Korea fighting with my fellow brother soldiers and officers, I never thought that something like this would happen. I am honored to have served in the 65th and to this day I don’t regret my service with the regiment,” said Eugenio Quevedo, one of the veterans being honored that day. 

The official street renaming event will be held in November. 

 UCTPTN 08.03.2016

Indigenous Leaders from Around the World Meet at COP21 in Paris

Kayapo Chief Raoni Metuktire of Brazil and Kasike Roberto Mukaro Borrero,
President of the United Confederation of Taino People meet in Paris. 

Paris, France (UCTP Taino News) - About 250 indigenous leaders who engaged in a series of unprecedented consultations in the Arctic, North America, Asia, Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Russia and Eastern Europe, and Africa finalized their proposals to COP21 on Monday. The delegates are now actively lobbying governments to include the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the COP21 agreement. The indigenous leaders are also calling on countries to adopt a goal of keeping the global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming with the view of further lowering it to one degree Celsius. According to experts, the disastrous and possibly irreversible tipping point of climate change is 2°C. Among this historic and diverse gathering of indigenous leadership are Chief Damon Corrie of the Caribbean Amerindian Development Organization (CADO) and Kasike Roberto Mukaro Agueibana Borrero, President of the United Confederation of Taino People. 

UCTPTN 11.30.2015

Still Here! Exhibition and Symposium (December 21st)

AIA Pow Wow in Orlando, Florida

The AIA Pow Wow In Orlando will be held at The Central Florida Fairgrounds, starting Friday, November 1st (afternoon) through Sunday, November 3rd, 2013.

The United Confederation of Taíno People will have a booth. Join us for a beautiful inter-tribal weekend!

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Event in Orlando, Florida: Nuestras Raices Tainas

IAIA Valedictorian to Appear on NBC’s Dateline

Santa Fe, New Mexico (UCTP Taino News) - Jamie Figueroa (Taino), a recent valedictorian graduate from the Institute ofAmerican Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico will be one of the featured interviews on ‘Dateline NBC’ Friday, June 1, 2012. A part of the program, will showcase various colleges and graduates from around the United States.  The segment, airing at 9pm est. (8pm central), will include a Tribal College, IAIA, for the first time.  The Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development (IAIA), is one of 36 tribal colleges located in the United States.

Figueroa graduated earlier this month with a B.F.A. in Creative Writing. She is of Taino heritage from Boriken (Puerto Rico), and enrolled with the United Confederation of Taino People.  Among her many accomplishments, Figueroa has been published in various literary journals, including Split Oak Press, ekleksographia, the Tribal College Journal and the Santa Fe Literary Review. She also created an internship for herself at the Santa Fe Reporter writing an online blog, “With This Pen,” which explores race, identity and relationships. Figueroa has also taught creative writing in elementary, middle and high schools, and in the Honors Program at the University of New Mexico. She believes story–the act of telling story and listening to story–is the most powerful tool we have as human beings to enact compassion and change.

'Dateline NBC,’ is the signature broadcast for NBC News in primetime.

UCTPTN05.31.2012

Alvarez Family Returns to Boriken

The Alvarez family returns to Boriken to reconnect with their roots.

Ponce, Boriken/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - The Alvarez Family returned to their old stomping grounds in Utuado, Boriken after half a century away. During their recent family reunion trip, they visited indigenous ceremonial sites on the island to further connect to, and reaffirm their roots. The trip was organized by Susan Alvarez, who contacted the United Confederation of Taino People for assistance. Alvarez is enrolled with the Confederation.

The family delegation included Susan Alvarez, along with her two children, Kathleen and Charles, and her sisters Judith and Carmen Pagano, and Carmen’s two daughters Hyacinth and Heather. They started their journey on a Friday morning, visiting ceremonial centers between Ponce and Utuado crossing thru “Las Indierras” and the Cordillera Central mountain range.  “The mountains always call me, I never felt more at home as when I was passing our beautiful, majestic mountains” said Carmen (Mita), the family matriarch.

With trip itinerary prepared by “Mountain Tours”, proprietor Roger Guayakan Hernandez was the official guide for the family. Hernandez is also a Liaison Officer for the United Confederation of Taíno People on the island. Their first stop was to Ponce's Tibes Ceremonial Center.  At the Center’s museum, the many artifacts and informative dioramas complimented the orientation presented by Taíno community member Luis Santiago of Wakia Arawaka.  This Center features a film explaining what researcher call the Igneri (Saladoid) culture to the so-called Pre-Taino who settled the site along the “Valley of Tibes” from around 300AD to 1000. The grounds feature seven "batei” and two large ceremonial "plazas".

Kathleen, Susan, and Charles Alvarez at Caguana

“This educational tour was so interesting and it explained a great deal” stated Judith.

After a tasty roast “pernil”, pollo and “costillas “luncheon at Adjuntas family restaurant - "El Boriqua", the tour proceeded to Utuado's Caguana Indigenous Ceremonial Center thru the winding mountain road along the Adjuntas/Dos Bocas River Valley.  The Caguana Ceremonial Center features 22 large stone petroglyphs lining the numerous, and large “batu (ballgame)” courts along the Tanama Valley hillside facing the spectacular “Semi” mountain peak.  This Taino site has been occupied since 900AD indicative thru “Ostiones” artifacts found along with Capa style highly decorated ceramics (1280AD- 1500AD).

The renowned petroglyph known as "mujer de Caguana" shows her elaborate “crown” with large ear rings representing an advanced age woman of a respected social position. Her eyes are closed and her bony thorax with her lower extremities similar to a frog's legs are said to denote vitality. The circular figure on her abdomen with a dot in the middle represents her navel and her evident reproductive organ implies her as a fertility figure giving birth to many children.  Her squatting position is a sign of power and commands respect.

Commenting on the petroglyph Carmen stated “How wonderful we as women were treated with the highest of respect and honor. My grandparents were so loving and respectful to each other so we as Taino-Boricua women had a great base as how we should be treated.”

After passing thru the half century improvements (since the family’s time in the Diaspora) made to the Utuado area, the tour returned thru the old Camino Reale (King's Road Route 123), which is awaiting the last stage of the $20 million dollar connection between Adjuntas and Utuado to complete a new expressway Route 10 between Ponce and Arecibo.  The 3,000 ft elevated rural central mountain range has kept this region relatively isolated. This continues as it has for the past 500 years holding the ancestral secrets of the many villagers who have settled along the many rivers and tributaries for the past few thousand years.

“WOW!” exclaimed Carmen. “The trip thru the mountains was hair-raising in many ways, from the winding roads to the majestic views. We all knew we were home”. She continued stating “It feels so good to be home.  We will be back.  We will continue to study and learn about our people’s ways.  We will teach our children.  I was so happy my daughters, sisters, nephew and niece were here to experience this wonderful beautiful experience.”

With great pride she added “We came home to the land of enchantment, we Taino came home to the beauty of Boriken.”

UCTPTN 05.31.2012

Additional Notes on the Survival of Indigenous Peoples in Borikén

"Like Sepulveda in the 16th century, it is clear that those expressing anti-Taíno sentiment are not opposed to manipulating data or using malicious tactics to denigrate and dehumanize contemporary Taíno People individually or as a whole."

See the full story at UCTP Taino News:http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=701&Itemid=2

Roberto "Múkaro" Borrero is the current President of the United Confederation of Taíno People, the Chairman of the NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples and an alternative Board Member of the International Indian Treaty Council. He is a contributing author to Taíno Revival: Critical Perspectives on Puerto Rican Identity and Cultural Politics, edited by Gabriel Haslip- Viera (2001). He can be contacted at mukaro@uctp.org.

Taíno People Honored by the Mashantucket Pequot Nation

Delegates representing the United Confederation of Taino People at a special ceremony at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center Saturday, November 26, 2011. In photo from let to right: Rodney Guatu'shina Rivera, Vivien Guara'naru DuMont, Lourdes Kalichi'naru Lebron, Hector Barakutey Gonzalez, Vanessa Inarunikia Pastrana, Claudia Fox Tree, and Roberto Mukaro Borrero.

Mashantucket, Connecticut (UCTP Taíno News) - As a part of their historic commemoration of Native American Heritage Month 2011, the Mashantucket Pequot Nation ceremonially received the flag of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) for permanent display at their Museum and Research Center in Connecticut, yesterday. The Confederation flag is now included as part of the on-going exhibition, “Honoring the Nations: Tribal Flags Today”.

See the full story at UCTP Taino News at:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=689&Itemid=2

Boricua Legislative Pioneer Olga Méndez Dies at 84

El Barrio, New York (UCTP Taino News) - Olga A. Méndez, the first Boricua woman elected to a state legislature in the continental United States, died last Wednesday at her East Harlem home. Méndez (84) represented "El Barrio" (East Harlem) and parts of the Bronx in the New York State Senate for 26 years.

Responding to the news from Boriken (Puerto Rico), Roger Guayacan Hernandez stated that Méndez “was well-respected both in New York and Boriken for being a true pioneer for women's issues and family rights."

Hernandez, a Liaison for the United Confederation of Taino People also noted that the former Senator “was well-versed in local history and she supported the efforts of the UCTP”.

Born in Mayagüez, Boriken on Feb. 5, 1925, Mendez moved to New York City in the 1950s. She was proud of her heritage and insisted on being known as Puerto Rican and rejected the terms Hispanic and Latino.

UCTPTN 08.04.2009