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

Healing Boriken from Lowell, Massachusetts

Youth dancers at the Healing Borikén fundraiser in Lowell, Massachusetts 

Lowell, Massachusetts (UCTP Taíno News) - HEALING BORIKÉN, a locally organized fundraiser to help the people of Borikén (Puerto Rico) following the devastation of Hurricane Maria took place at UTEC in Lowell, Massachusetts on March 22, 2018. The event's main organizer, Patricia Chali'naru Dones noted that the successful event was an opportunity to help people in “La Isla Del Encanto (The Island of Enchantment aka Puerto Rico) while coming out to dance, pray and heal." 

All the funds collected were contributed to support the Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund established by the United Confederation of Taíno People, a 501c3 organization that focuses its work primarily on the indigenous Taíno People of Caribbean. The goal of the UCTP fund is to procure and distribute critical resources being requested by community members such as water purification products, insect repellent, mosquito nets, personal hygiene products, and solar lanterns, etc., as well as emergency cash disbursements for families and UCTP volunteers on the ground.

Healing BORIKEN featured an amazing showcase of multi-cultural performers who donated their time and incredible talents to this worthy cause. Among the special guests was Jacinto "SpiritWolf" Vega, an actor who appeared in the 20th Century Fox Film Production of Crooked Arrows and an art exhibition by Joel Rosario Tapia. A screening of the video "Life without Power" by Roger Hernandez was also presented. Vinny Tata'niki Iraheta, son of Chali'naru Dones, performed a special Pow Wow dance presentation. 

Chali'naru Dones is a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe and a special representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People. 

UCTPTN 03/23/2018

Hurakan Maria Devastates Borikén and other Caribbean Islands

Borikén/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taíno News) — After devastating others islands in the region such as Dominica, Guadeloupe, the U.S. Virgin Islands and others, Hurakan Maria battered Borikén for hours before it spun out into the Atlantic Ocean on its way to the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Early reports affirm that the Category 4 storm knocked out all power, caused dangerous flooding, toppled cellphone towers and tore the roofs off homes and businesses throughout the island. This was the strongest hurricane to hit Borikén in almost a century. Maria struck just days after the region was hit by Hurricane Irma. 

UCTPTN 09/20/2017