4th Indigenous Peoples Day of Remembrance Commemorated

Mexica dancers present their ceremonial "danza" at the 4th Annual Indigenous Day of Remembrance.

New York, NY (UCTP Taíno News) – The 4th Annual “Indigenous Day of Remembrance” was held at Merchant’s Gate across from Columbus Circle in New York City on Sunday, October 9th, 2011. The event was organized by a small group of area activists led by Luis “Iukibuel” Ramos (Taíno). Participants of the well-attended event included local and visiting indigenous peoples, supporters, and an interested public.

See the full story at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=667&Itemid=2

Puerto Rico plans to decide its political future

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The governor of Puerto Rico announced Tuesday that he will present local legislators with a plan for a two-part referendum next year to decide the political future of the U.S. territory once and for all.

See the full story at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=664&Itemid=2

‘Barbadiana Jones’ First Outsider to See Hidden Water Falls in Guyana Interior

BARBADOS - Some people call Damon Corrie a real life ‘Barbadiana Jones‘, a reference to the adventurous ‘Indiana Jones‘ a fictitious explorer of Hollywood fame. Corrie is of Barbadian birth and Guyanese Amerindian descent. He is well-known in local, regional & international circles for two things primarily – his promotion of Indigenous Rights and his promotion of Guyana as the 'premier Eco-Adventure Paradise' destination in the Americas.

See the full article at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=656&Itemid=2

Census Data Continues to Shed Light on Boricua Identity

Borikén/Puerto Rico (UCTP Taino News) - Puerto Rico's Institute of Culture, a governmental agency, has historically promoted the island's demographic heritage as a blending of three cultures – American Indian, Spanish, and African – forming one a national identity. Many Puerto Rican scholars continue to highlight 'cultural' blending as officially they have erroneously claimed the local indigenous population was exterminated in the first 50 years of colonization. Data released from the 2010 U.S. Census documents a different perspective as more “Puerto Ricans” are defining themselves as American Indians.

See the full article at UCTP Taino News:
http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=655&Itemid=2

Editorial: What’s in a name - Arawak or Taíno?

There is widespread confusion concerning the application of the term Arawak on Caribbean Indigenous Peoples. This is not surprising given our disparate state across the islands and into the Diaspora. As descendants of the first Indigenous Peoples in the Western hemisphere to be labeled Indians, our communities are dealing with over 500 years of colonization and misinformation via educational institutions promoting ideologies that were established by the colonizers.

To read the full editorial visit: http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=654&Itemid=2

Roberto Múkaro Borrero is a Borikén Taíno historian, artist, and activist who currently serves as President of the United Confederation of Taíno People. He can be contacted at mukaro@uctp.org or at www.uctp.org.