St. Thomas, USVI (UCTP Taino News) - Opia Taino of St. Thomas and the United
Confederation of Taino People adopted a Declaration of Unity on Sunday,
December 2nd at Magens Bay, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin
Islands. The historic treaty was
ratified in a special ceremony by Maekiaphan and Tesroy Phillips and other members
of the local Taino and Carib community represented by Opia Taino and Roberto
Mukaro Borrero, representing the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP).
“This is a significant moment in our
collective history” stated Borrero. “We are affirming and honoring our
ancestral connections across the region in an effort to promote our ancient
Indigenous heritage to our present and future generations.”
Maekiaphan Phillips agreed stating, “I personally feel that the signing
of this treaty was extremely important and significant, not only by words but
by documentation so that we secure not only our past, but protect our future
generations, and dismiss the myth that Taino People are extinct.“
She continued, noting that “The signing of
the Treaty out at Magens Bay, an actual ancient Amerindian site here in the
Virgin Islands, displayed the utmost respect for our ancestors”
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| Senator-elect Myron Jackson, Maekiaphan Phillips, Roberto Boreero, Tesory Phillips, Ayesha Morris, and local children take part in the treaty signing in Magens Bay, St. Thomas. |
Also in attendance were Senator-elect, the
honorable Myron Jackson, Ayesha Morris of the Virgin Islands Humanities
Council, and other prominent members of the local community. The ceremony
included a procession around the Magens Bay Arboretum, a conservancy of nearly
three quarter of a mile featuring indigenous and exotic plant and tree species.
The Arboretum is the site of an ancient indigenous settlement, as well as a
colonial-era plantation. Located on the
North (Atlantic) side of the island, Magens Bay features a well-protected, world renowned white
sand beach.
“If we do not
display unity, the myth of us being savage will then prove to be true” states
Phillips. “I feel it is important for all Taíno People to embrace each other so
that our future generations will be honored to not only say we are the
descendants of the Taíno, but we are Taíno.”
UCTPTN 12.12.2012
St. Thomas
(UCTP Taino News) – Opia Taino and the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP)
finalized a collaborative agreement linking their respective local and international
tribal registries. An indigenous organization
based in St. Thomas, Opia Taino will now commence its registry on the island
and other nearby islands such as St. Croix and Tortola.
