Taino Highlighted at Springfield, MA Puerto Rican Parade

UCTP Liaison Officer, Chalinaru Dones with Grand Marshall Waleska Lugo DeJesus 

during the 33rd Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield, MA (UCTP Taíno News) – On Sunday, September 17, 2023, hundreds marched through downtown Springfield to celebrate the 33rd annual Puerto Rican Parade. Puerto Rican flags were waved by the thousands of spectators who lined the streets while Latin Music filled the air. The 2023 Parade theme was “Nunca Olvides Tus Raices, Never forget your roots.” 

The parade's Grand Marshall, Waleska Lugo DeJesus was featured atop a large float decorated in the style of a tropical forest from Borikén (Puerto Rico) that was presented to pay respect to the Indigenous Taíno Peoples of the Caribbean. A Liaison Officer for the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), Chalinaru Dones, was invited by the Grand Marshall to not only accompany her on the special float, but to also open the Parade with a Taíno prayer. Dones is a citizen of the Guainía Taíno Tribe. 

Lugo DeJesus stated “I wanted to bring authentic representation to help educate that we still exist and Chalinaru reminded me that when we don’t acknowledge our history we can be erased.” 

Waleska Lugo DeJesus is the CEO of Inclusive Strategies and the founding director of the Healing Racisim Institute. She is widely known for her anti-racism advocacy and for identifying educational strategies to create equity.

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Newton, Massachusetts to celebrate its first Indigenous Peoples Day

Chali'naru Dones and Dr. Darlene Flores, co-founders of Indigenous Peoples Day Newton

Newton, Massachusetts (UCTP Taíno News) - Following a legislative recent action by the Newtown City Council, a committee has been formed to organize and commemorate the first annual Indigenous Peoples Day in Newton, MA. Co-founding the organizing committee are two Taíno women, Chali’naru Dones, a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe, and Dr. Darlene Flores of the Higuayagua Union. 

“It is very encouraging and a source of pride to see Taíno women taking a lead on Indigenous Peoples Day in Newton” stated R. Múkaro Borrero, President, United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP). “The Confederation supported Newton’s official recognition of Indigenous People Day and presented testimony during the public hearing process.” 

The United Confederation of Taíno People is an official co-sponsor of the Indigenous Peoples Day, Newton, which will take place on October 11, 2021, at Albemarle Park in Newtown from 12-5:00 PM. Tai Pelli, a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People, is confirmed as a keynote speaker.  

Indigenous Peoples Day in Newton promises to be a family-oriented cultural and spiritual celebration featuring musical, dance, and spoken word performances. The organizers are also planning a Talking Circle facilitated by Indigenous elders, immersive educational cultural exhibits, and a market featuring Indigenous artists and community groups. 

Donations are being accepted to support the program and its associated costs.

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Special Screening of Women of the White Buffalo in Boston

Chali'naru Dones (at left), Deborah Anderson, and Darlene Flores at the screening of Women of the White Buffalo

Boston, Massachusetts (UCTP Taino News) – A special private screening of Deborah Anderson's documentary film "Women of the White Buffalo" was held at Leica Store & Gallery Boston on Saturday, November 9, 2019. 

According to the filmmaker, the intention of this film is to shine a light on Indigenous Women and include their voices in this current wave of global Women’s resistance. The film also seeks to inspire the next generation of Native Americans to remember who they are and utilize their own ancient wisdom in the much-needed healing of their communities. The screening was also an educational opportunity for non-Native people to learn from this beautiful and powerful culture and confront the forces that perpetuate inequality and historical racism causing separation among peoples. 

The film provides an intimate look into the lives of 8 women, ranging in age from 10 to 98, who deliver harrowing testimonials of loss and survival while providing direct insight into what it is to be a modern Native American. With the inclusion of current statistics along with historical accounts, the audience can track how these present-day conditions came to be. 

Attending the event were two Taíno community members, Chali'naru Dones and Darlene Flores. Dones, who is also a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People, was asked by Anderson to give an opening prayer for this special event. While Dones shared the prayer in the Taíno language, Flores offered the English translation. 

 UCTPTN 11/10/2019

Claudia Fox Tree, UCTP Liaison, Speaks at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event

UCTP Liaison Officer Claudia Fox Tree at the World of Wellesley MLK event

Wellesley, MA (UCTP Taino News) - Claudia Fox Tree, an educator and a Liaison Officer for the United Confederation of Taíno People spoke at the World of Wellesley’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. event on January 21st, Martin Luther King Day. The event featured Ms. Fox Tree’s keynote address which highlighted the need for allies and an introduction into First Nations history including atrocities committed by Columbus and the contributions of Caribbean Indigenous Nations. The Kuumba Singers of Harvard College also performed. The World of Wellesley is an organization dedicated to making Wellesley, MA a welcoming community where diversity is celebrated. 

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Victory Cheers for Cheyenne FoxTree-Mcgrath

Bedford, Mass (UCTP Taino News) - Cheyenne FoxTree (Arawak) was part of the exceptional team effort which lead her team to victory in the Eastern State Pop Warner Cheerleading Competition at the Tsongas Arena in Massachusetts. In a day filled with great dancing, cheering, tumbling, and music, Cheyenne’s team competed against many great competitors who had already in their respective counties. Cheyenne and her “A-Team” will now advance to Regional Competition in one month in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cheyenne is the daughter of Claudia FoxTree, an educator, writer, artist and UCTP Liaison Officer in Massachusetts.


Claudia FoxTree and daughter Cheyenne victorious

at the Eastern State Pop Warner Cheerleading Competition