Sacred Run in Boriken Continues

The Boriken Run for Peace and Dignity Stops along the Pastillos/Tibes exit on Route 10  (Photo credit: R. Guayacan Hernandez)

Boriken/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - A group of Taino youth and supporters are continuing their sacred run throughout the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico) today in Mayaguez. The Boriken run, dedicated to water, is a part of the 2012 Peace and Dignity Journeys, an indigenous continental run linking communities throughout the hemisphere. During their stop in Mayaguez, the runners will continue to meet with local community members promoting the vision of the Peace and Dignity Journeys as well as Taino culture.

The Boriken Run begin with a sunrise ceremony on Wednesday in Jayuya, and continued yesterday with visits to Taino sacred sites in the Ponce area such as Jacanas and Tibes.   The runners are carrying sacred matuko (staffs) that “represent the prayers of the people”.  Similar runs began in Alaska and South America last month.  An additional run also began today in Kiskeia (Dominican Republic). 

While in Ponce, the honorable Victor Vassallo of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives officially greeted the runners to the area. Vassallo also expressed his commitment to making the Taino presence more visible on the island, and expressed his thanks to the United Confederation of Taino People for making him aware of the historic initiative. 

The next stop for the group will be Arecibo on Saturday, followed by a closing ceremony in “El Yunke” rainforest. Three of the runners from Boriken then join other runners in New York to begin the East Coast run on August 5. The final destination for the various runs is Guatemala for the closing ceremony.    Donations to assist the runners on their journey can be made at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/164824 .

UCTPTN 07.20.2012

Earthquake of the Coast of Kiskeia and Boriken

UCTP Taino News - At 9:43 AM Atlantic Standard Time on March 16, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 5.4 occurred of the coast of the Kiskeia (Dominican Republic), 80 miles/129 Km northwest of Mayaguez, Borikén (Puerto Rico) . The magnitude is such that a tsunami will not be generated. The location and magnitude are based on preliminary information. Further information will be issued by the United States Geological Survey or the Puerto Rico Seismic Network.

UCTPTN 03.16.2011

Study: Toxic metals in produce grown on Vieques

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico: A new study has found dangerous levels of toxic metals in produce grown on a Puerto Rican island formerly used as a Navy bombing range, despite U.S. government claims that the soil there is safe.

Some products from a research farm on Vieques Island had as much as 20 times the acceptable amount of lead and cadmium, according to the study released last week by the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez.

Researcher Arturo Massol said peppers, spinach and tomatoes showed higher levels of contamination than products from the nearby Puerto Rican mainland and would pose a health risk to humans. Food grown at the farm is strictly for research and is not meant for consumption.

A Navy spokesman, Cmdr. J.A. "Cappy" Surett, reiterated Monday that the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has determined the soil on Vieques does not pose a health risk to people. A 2003 study by the agency found that Navy training exercises elevated the levels of some metals in the soil, but islanders were not exposed to harmful levels of contamination.

Vieques' small farming community requested the analysis by Massol, who has also studied contamination among the island's fish populations.

After decades of being hammered by live rounds from warships and planes, the Vieques bombing range closed in April 2003 following years of protests.

Since 2005, workers overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been clearing mortar shells and unexploded munitions in a cleanup expected to take about 10 years.

Article Source: The Associated Press

Petition Calling for the Abandonment of Proposed Columbus Monument in Boriken (Puerto Rico)

Recalling that: In 1492, Christopher Columbus initiated a genocidal campaign against Indigenous Peoples that began with the Taíno, Karib, and Arawak Nations and extended throughout the Americas, and

Recalling that: Christopher Columbus was the first trans-Atlantic slave trader in the Western Hemisphere, and

Recognizing that: Christopher Columbus is a symbol, not of a man, but of imperialism, colonialism, and genocide, and

Further Recognizing that: Imperialism and colonialism are continuously manifesting with the exploitation of humanity and the Earth as well as in the ongoing violations of the rights of Indigenous Peoples,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: We, the undersigned call on The Holland Group, Inc and the City of Mayagüez to abandon their plans to erect a monument to Christopher Columbus on the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico) in 2010. This proposed project is not only offensive to the local Taino, Karib, Arawak and other Indigenous Peoples but it is an offense to all peoples of good conscience around the world.

Sign petition at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/say-no-to-columbus

Taino celebrate Equinox and International Day of Peace in the Bronx

Bronx, NY (UCTP Taino News) – Taino People gathered in the South Bronx on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in recognition of the Autumnal Equinox and the International Day of Peace. Organized by the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society, Bohio Attabei Women's Circle, and Iukaieke Guainia in collaboration with Friends of Brook Park the gathering included ceremonies, songs, music, food, and discussion. Along with representatives of the host organizations, also in attendance throughout the day were members of Casa Atabex Ache, and hip hop poetry duo “Taino Survivalists.” A focus on the protest campaign against a proposed Columbus monument in Boriken (Puerto Rico) was featured among the various discussions taking place. The plans to erect the Columbus statue are being initiated by the Mayor of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and The Holland Group Inc. The establishment of an international, inter-tribal coalition against the statue was announced. Follow-up on the campaign will be coordinated by the United Confederation of Taino People.

UCTPTN 09.22.2008