Taíno Elder Mildred Karaira Gandia Crosses Over Into Koaibei (Spirit World)

Miami, Florida (UCTP Taíno News) – Taíno elder, Mildred “Karaira” Gandia Reyes de Ziegelasch crossed over into Koaibei (the spirit world) on Sunday, February 6, 2022, due to complications arising from COVID 19. A long-time representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), and a member of the Guainía Taíno Tribe of Borikén, Bibi (Grandmother) Karaira was beloved across Taíno communities through the islands and the Diaspora. Karaira was an alumnus of Tribal Link Foundation’s Project Access Global Capacity Building Workshop for Indigenous Peoples, a human rights activist, an avid gardener, a spiritual advisor, and a devoted mother and grandmother. 

“We are greatly saddened to learn about Bibi Karaira’s passing and the Confederation will pause in its work to honor and her commitment not only to the UCTP but to all Taíno Peoples” stated Kasike R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero, President of the UCTP and a leader of the Guainía Taíno Tribe. Borrero continued by stating “Bibi Karaira had strong opinions, a big generous heart, and a great pride regarding our ancestors and our culture. She will be missed in this physical world and our sincere condolences extend to her immediate and extended family around the world.” 

During her time as a liaison for the Confederation, she participated in many community and international gatherings. Karaira helped to organize the Taíno delegation to the 32nd Anniversary International Indian Treaty Council Conference hosted by the Independent Traditional Seminole Nation of Florida in 2006, was a UCTP delegate to the IITC's Guatemala Treaty Conference in 2008, and was the main delegate and a signatory on a treaty between the Confederation and the St. David's Indian Community of Bermuda in 2009. In 2016, Bibi Karaira represented the UCTP at the panel on Climate Change organized by the City of Hialeah.  

The Honorable Governor of Bermuda, Sir Richard Gozney, UCTP
Liaison Mildred Karaira Gandia, and Stephen Tucker, Chairman of the
St. David’s Islanders and Native Community in Bermuda, 2009. (UCTP Photo)

Bibi Karaira made her home in Miami, Florida with her family and was on extended medical leave from her liaison responsibilities from the UCTP. She continued to mentor and offer spiritual counseling to many. 

Behike Miguel Sobaoko Koromo Sague of the Caney Indigenous Spiritual Circle stated “The hupia (Spirits) have welcomed a new soul into their community of Koaibei, and even as we mourn the loss of this beautiful grandmother, we know that she will continue to guide and advise us from the spirit realm.”

Bibi Karaira blessing Behike Miguel Sague in 2017. 

Karaira was a featured participant in many of the spiritual ceremonial gatherings organized by Behike Sague in the Miami area.

Bibi Karaira is survived by her two sons, Jose Richard Cruz Gandia Jr. and Justin “Seiba” Ziegelasch Gandia and her husband Roland Ziegelasch.

UCTPTN 02/07/2022 

Taíno Confederation calls for Investigation into Archeological Site Destruction

Luquillo, Borikén (Puerto Rico) – In a recent communication to the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture, the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) called for an investigation to determine the damage to an Indigenous archeological site in Luquillo. The UCTP was made aware of the issue after a video report made by advocate Eliezer Molina surfaced on social media. Molina’s video documents extensive damage to ancient pottery as a road was being made into the area's wetlands. 

In the communication to Nancy Santiago, Director, Archeological and Ethnohistory Program at the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture (ICP), the Confederation stated the site was “considered of significant cultural importance to Taíno Peoples and archeologically.” 

Upon initial inquiry, the UCTP has so far determined that the damage caused by heavy machinery is linked to developer Federico Stubbe. The construction is related to a proposed hotel tied to the Marriott company.

“The UCTP is calling on the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and the government of Puerto Rico to implement the applicable laws for the protection of cultural patrimony in Puerto Rico and immediately halt the construction,” said R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero, President, United Confederation of Taíno People. He continued, stating that “the Confederation is also calling for an in-depth cultural and environmental impact study, including an assessment of the damage, and of the legality of the construction permitting process.” 

The UCTP’s communication to the ICP also notes that what is occurring in Luquillo is a “recurring tragedy on the island as development projects are continuously fast-tracked” regardless of the damage to the archeological record or the concerns of Taíno Peoples. “UCTP representatives are in touch with and support local protests concerning the site. A group of concerned individuals have set up a camp near the area called Campamiento Cangrejo,” stated Tai Pelli, UCTP Human Rights and International Relations Officer. “They have also established a petition that the UCTP supports. 

Evidence shows that the archeological site is connected to wetlands that were protected for decades. The damage could be in violation of several laws including Puerto Rican Public Law 112, July 20th, 1988, which is supposed to protect archaeological sites. Additionally, the damage documented by Molina and others appears to violate U.S. Federal Laws including the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act, Section 404, which is the primary vehicle for Federal regulation of activities that occur in wetlands.

For more information, contact oirrc@uctp.org

Confederación Taíno pide una Investigación sobre Destrucción de Sitio Arqueológico

Luquillo, Borikén (Puerto Rico) – En un comunicado reciente al Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (ICP), la Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno, CUPT (UCTP, por sus siglas en inglés) pidió una investigación para que se determine el daño a un sitio arqueológico indígena en Luquillo. La CUPT fue alertada sobre el hecho a través de un video del defensor Eliezer Molina que surgió en las redes sociales. El video de Molina documenta daño extensivo de alfarería antigua, según se va construyendo una carretera hacia las áreas de humedales.

En la comunicación dirigida a la Sra. Nancy Santiago, Directora del Programa de Arqueología y Etnohistoria del ICP, la Confederación declaró que "considera este lugar como uno de gran importancia cultural para el Pueblo Taíno, como arqueológicamente."

Tras una investigación inicial, y hasta ahora, la CUPT ha identificado que el daño causado por equipo pesado está vinculado al desarrollador Federico Stubbe. La construcción está relacionada a un propuesto hotel vinculado a la compañía Marriott.

“La Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno hace un llamado al Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña y al gobierno de Puerto Rico a utilizar las leyes correspondientes para la protección del patrimonio cultural en Puerto Rico y a detener de inmediato la construcción”- dijo R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero Presidente de la Confederación Unida del Pueblo Taíno. Seguidamente declaró que “la Confederación también está pidiendo a que se conduzca un estudio de impacto a profundidad incluyendo la evaluación de los daños ambientales y culturales así como la legalidad del proceso de permisología de dicha construcción.”

La comunicación de la CUPT al ICP también denota que lo que está ocurriendo en Luquillo es “una tragedia recurrente en la isla ya que los proyectos de desarrollo son continuamente acelerados por vía rápida” independientemente del daño al archivo arqueológico ni a las inquietudes del Pueblo Taíno.

“Representantes de la CUPT estamos en comunicación y apoyamos las protestas locales relacionadas con este lugar. Un grupo de ciudadanos ha establecido un campamento en el área, llamado Campamento Cangrejo.” indicó Tai Pelli, Oficial de Relaciones Internacionales y Derechos Humanos de la CUPT. “También se ha establecido una petición en línea la cual la CUPT apoya.” 

La evidencia demuestra que el sitio arqueológico está conectado a humedales que han sido protegidos por décadas. El daño pudiera estar en violación de varias leyes, incluyendo la ley Pública PR 112 del 20 de julio de 1988, la cual se supone proteja los sitios arqueológicos. Por otra parte, el daño documentado por Molina y otros aparenta violar leyes federales de E.E.U.U. incluyendo la Ley sobre Especies Amenazadas y la Ley de Agua Limpia, sección 404, la cual es la medida primordial de la regulación federal sobre algunas de las actividades que ocurren en los humedales. 

Para obtener más información, communíquese con oirrc@uctp.org

Indigenous Mona Island Rock Art Dated By Researchers

Photo courtesy of University of Leicester

Mona Island (UCTP Taíno News) - Researchers documented pre-Hispanic rock art in a vast cave system on Mona. According to Hannah Osbourne at Newsweek, the works date back to at least the 13th century. The research was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. The study includes the first dates for the rock art and speculative interpretations of some of the thousands of drawings and etchings found in the island’s 30 cave systems. Mona is the third-largest island of the Puerto Rican archipelago, after the main island of Borikén (Puerto Rico) and Bieke (Vieques).

UCTPTN 12/04/2021

Taíno Confederation Condemns Christies Auction House

A Taíno amulet among pieces to be auctioned by Christie's Auction House

UCTP Taíno News - Taíno community members have expressed outrage upon learning that the renowned Christies' Auction House will be auctioning off "Taíno Masterworks" in collaboration with France's Musee de l’Homme on November 10, 2021. An online petition calling for a halt to the auction and a return of the sacred items has garnered substantial visibility of the issue with thousands of signatories and mainstream press coverage. Individual community members have taken to the internet to support the call to stop the sale and for the repatriation of the cultural items. 

The United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) has expressed public support for the petition and condemned Christie's for facilitating these sales.  In a communication sent to Christie's representative, Fatma Turkkan-Wille, UCTP President, R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero stated: 

"The UCTP condemns these auction plans and demands a halt to the scheduled proceedings. The UCTP further calls upon the seller to immediately enter into a dialogue with Taíno leadership and the Government of the Dominican Republic to plan an appropriate repatriation process." 

The UCTP communication further states that the pending sale is "a violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples." 

UCTPTN 11082021