Taíno Celebrate Diversity in the Bronx

Members of the Kasibahagua Taino Cultural Society share Taino culture in the Bronx, NY

Bronx, NY (UCTP Taíno News) – Members of the Taíno community participated in the first annual Cultural Diversity Festival held in Kingsbridge Heights, Bronx, NY on Sept. 6, 2009. The festival was organized by the Kingsbridge Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association. Cultural presentations included programs by members of the Cacibajagua Taíno Cultural Society, Afro Boricua, “La Bruja” Caridad de La Luz, and Cetiliztli Nauhcampa Quetzalcoatl in Ixachitlan, an indigenous Mexica community group and others. The event also featured vendors, games for children, information tables, and a “Little Miss Kingsbridge” pageant.

UCTPTN 09.11.2009

Drums Along The Hudson Festival This Weekend

New York (UCTP Taino News) - The Seventh Annual “Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival” will take place on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 in Upper Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, rain or shine. The event is FREE to the public and presented by Lotus Music & Dance in collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, and is sponsored in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and WABC-TV. DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON features Manhattan’s only open air pow wow, which is a celebratory gathering of Native people. This year’s pow wow will be led by Louis Mofsie and the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and will feature other indigenous and international artists including a special opening ceremony presentation by the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society.

A multi cultural family-oriented festival, Drums Along the Hudson includes exhibitions of world dance and drumming traditions as well as Native American crafts and international cuisines. The festival combines a celebration of Native American heritage, culture, and art with the diversity of New York City itself. In keeping with the underlying theme of environmental appreciation and education, DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON will continue to feature an Environmental Tent which will include demonstrations by organizations and artists dedicated to promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle and an information and Caribbean Indigenous Exhibit table sponsored by the United Confederation of Taino People.

During the day, between the hours of 1pm and 3pm, the festival organizers will honor two individuals and or organizations for their contributions to either Humanitarian Services or the Environment. This year’s honorees are Mohawk Elder & Author Tom Porter and Laura Turner Seydel, Environmentalist & Chairman of the Captain Planet Foundation. Sandra Bookman, weekend anchor for WABC-TV, will host the event. For more information visit the Drums Along the Hudson website at http://www.drumsalongthehudson.org/ .

UCTPTN 05.12.2009

Spring Equinox Ceremonial Gathering in NY

Saturday, March 21 2009, 12:00pm - 6:00pm

Taino Iukaieke Guainia and the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society will host a Spring Equinox Ceremonial Gathering at Brook Park in New York. A Prayer Circle and a communal feast will be a part of the agenda for the day which will begin at 12noon - 6pm. Please bring food to share.

This event will coincide with the 8000 Drum Ceremony of the Otomi, Mayan, Aztec and Toltec Nations on the Otomi Ceremonial Grounds in Mexico.

Location: 141 St and Brook Ave., South Bronx NY (Brook Park)

Contact: Roberto (Múkaro Agueibana) Borrero at mukaro@uctp.org.

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 throughout the day. 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

Taino will gather to celebrate the equinox in the Bronx

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) - In recognition of the Autumnal Equinox, the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society, Bohio de Attabey Women's Circle, and Iukaieke Guainia will host a ceremonial family gathering at Brook Park in the Bronx, New York on Sunday, September 21, 2008. In collaboration with the Friends of Brook Park, the gathering will begin at 12noon with the preparation of the sacred fire. The event is free and the organizers have requested that attendees please bring their own musical instruments - maracas, guiro etc. - and food to share. Brook Park is located at 141st Street and Brook Ave in the South Bronx. For more information on the gathering contact mukaro@uctp.org or call 1(212)604-4186.

UCTPTN 09.16.2008

Taino Dancers Commemorate International Day

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) - Members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society encourage audience participation during their successful presentation at the American Museum of Natural History on August 9th, 2008. The program was co-sponsored by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Secretariat, NGO Committee on the UN International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Tribal Link Foundation, and the United Confederation of Taino People in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. (photo credit: John Kwok)

UCTPTN 08.19.2008

Activists launch Cultural Internet TeleRadio Show

UCTP Taino News – Activists Jose Medina and John Aguilar Marrero have announced the “Boricuation Cultural Afternoon Internet TeleRadio Show” will premier on Sunday, August 17th, 2008. Hosted by Boricuation.com, the program will “webcast” on ESP51.com airing live from 3-6pm (EST) regularly on Sundays. Summarizing the show’s content, Taino artist John Aguilar Marrero states audiences can expect “music, community oriented announcements, special guest interviews, artist performance showcases, and a lot of cultural information especially about Taíno culture”. See more details and RSVP on the show's webpage at http://boricuation.ning.com.

Cemi Underground Presents Meet the Artists...

August 16, 2008 from 3pm to 4pm,
Cemi Underground
1799 Lexington Ave. @ 112th St., New York, NY
Contact for info: 1(212)860-2820

Meet the Artists - Painters Aguilar Marrero and Reina Miranda will discuss their artwork and inspirations in this gallery talk type event and will sell prints of their work that have been exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History and the United Nations building.

Visit Reina and Aguilar at: www.tainospirit.com

Admission: FREE

Indigenous Peoples Day, Saturday, August 9

The American Museum of Natural History
presents

Indigenous Peoples Day
Saturday, August 9
12 noon-5:00 p.m.
Kaufmann Theater, first floor
Free with Museum admission

In recognition of the United Nations' International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, this afternoon features a special concert performance with Halau I Ka Wekiu from Hawai'i as well as an indigenous Caribbean cultural presentation by members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society.

"Yarning Up", a short film series focusing on Northern Australian Aboriginal stories, will also be featured.

An Indigenous Artisan Showcase will take place in the Museum's Grand Gallery.

This program is cosponsored with the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the NGO Committee on the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, the Tribal Link Foundation and the United Confederation of Taino People.

1:00 p.m. - Halau I Ka Wekiu
Hawaiian Hula School Performance

2:00 p.m. - "Yarning Up: 4 Short Stories from the Top End"
Australian Aboriginal Short Films
Screening with introduction and Q&A by Producer Penny Smallacombe

3:00 p.m. - Halau I Ka Wekiu
Hawaiian Hula School Performance

4:30 p.m. - Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society

12noon – 5:30pm: An Indigenous Artisan Showcase, Grand Gallery, First
Floor
Several indigenous artists including Jude Norris (Cree), Barbara James Snyder (Washoe/Paiute) and Taino Spirit will display their works throughout the day.

Global Weekends are made possible, in part, by the City of New York, the New York City Council, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Additional support has been provided by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the Tolan Family, and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt.

Public programs are made possible, in part, by the Rita and Frits Markus Fund for Public Understanding of Science.

Taino Artists to Appear on Local TV Show

Bronx, NY (UCTP Taino News) - Reina Sipainaru Miranda and Aguilar Marrero are two Taino artists collectively known as Taino Spirit. Their work based mainly on their indigenous Taino heritage will be featured on “Open” a local television show broadcast in the Bronx, NY. Taino Spirit will appear on the show live with host, the multi-talented Rhina Valentin on Friday ay, July 11, 2008. The show will be rebroadcast Friday at 10pm and again on Saturday 10am and 10pm. Viewers are invited to “call-in” or email to join the discussion in this weekly Bronx Net Cable Artist Spotlight on channel 67.

UCTPTN 07.10.2008

Native Peoples Day in the Bronx

Native Day at the Kingsbridge Armory International Village Garden

Located on Kingsbridge Road
Between Jerome Avenue & Aqueduct Avenue
On
Saturday June 28, 2008
From
11AM to 5PM

Celebrate our Community garden with members of the

Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society
And
Cetilixtli Naumcampa Mexica Dancers

Enjoy Native Music and Crafts

Come and help plant a flower or a tree or just enjoy the day.

Our Garden is a learning experience and

the Place to Be For a Unique and Fun Filled Family Day in the Bronx.

Free Admission

Info and Contact number 718-584-0162
Email preed@nfamas.org
KAIVG programs depend on donations and grants

Your support, donations and help are needed so we can create
beautiful, safe, healthy, and happy community green spaces for our
communities

Please help Thank You.

Please note subject to cancellation in case of rains

Gateway to Nations Pow Wow to feature Taino Culture

New York (UCTP Taino News) - The Gateway to Nations Pow Wow is a celebration of Native American culture that will take place at Brooklyn’s in Floyd Bennett Field, Gateway National Recreation Area from June 6-8, 2008. Along with Native American dancers, singers, Native American arts and jewelry, food vendors this year’s Pow Wow will feature select cultural presentations from members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society. The group will share Taino music, song, and dance as well as offer general information on Taino culture.

Other featured attractions at this annual event will be the Native Drum competition in classes from tiny tots to adults and showcase dances such as the Pura Women's Fancy Dance, Jingle Dance, Chicken Dance and Grass Dance.

Gates open on Saturday and Sunday at 11am and the Pow Wow continues all day until 7pm. The Grand Entry of Dancers begins at 1:00P on both days. On Friday, June 6th the Pow Wow grounds will be open to school groups from 10AM to 4PM.

Gateway to Nations Pow Wow is sponsored and organized by the Redhawk Indian Arts Council and more information on the event can be found at their website at http://www.redhawkcouncil.org/calendar/june19.htm.

Photo: Redhawk Indian Arts Council

UCTPTN 06.01.2008

Taino to Present Cultural Program at Pequot Museum

UCTP Taino News – Members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society will present a Taino cultural program at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. The program takes place from 1-2pm and is open to the public. The group will present Taino music and dance as well as discuss the meaning of the various songs and how the Taino instruments are played and made. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum offers engaging experiences for all ages, from life-size walk-through dioramas that transport visitors into the past, to changing exhibits and live performances of contemporary arts and cultures. For more information on the Taino presentation check out the Museum’s website at http://www.pequotmuseum.org/.

UCTPTN 05.20.2008

Cacibajagua at the Ramapo Pow Wow

Warwick, NY (UCTP Taino News) - At left Ericc Diaz (Taino) of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society connects with members of the Mexica community through a "smudging" ceremony at the Ramapo Pow Wow on Sunday, May 18th 2008. Members of Cacibajagua offered a Taino cultural presentation as well as set-up a well received information stand at the event. (Photo: Times Herald-Record/JOHN DeSANTO)

Ramapough Pow Wow This Weekend

UCTP Taino News – The Wawayanda Northern Liaison Native American Pow Wow and Gathering is set to take place this weekend, May 17-18, 2008 in Warwick, New York. The event is being held to honor “Lenape People Who Dwelled Along the Path Stretching from the Delaware River to the Hudson River” and will take place at the Warwick Veterans Memorial Park, from 10am to 6pm, rain or shine. Sanctioned by the Ramapough Mountain Indians, Inc, the Wawayanda Pow Wow will feature dancing, drumming, craft, and food.

The Ramapough Mountain Indians have resided in the Ramapough Mountains for more than three hundred years, and are a part of the greater Lenape Nation.

On Sunday - May 18 - a special cultural presentation by members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society takes place at the Wawayanda Pow Wow at 2:30pm and at 4:30pm. “Cacibajagua” is an inter-Tribal, inter-generational community of indigenous Caribbean singers, musicians, and artists dedicated to transmitting their ancestral heritage to their present and future generations.

The host drum for the Pow Wow is "Spirit of the Mountain" and Grand Entry begins at noon both days. For further information on the Wawayanda Native American Pow Wow, contact 845-610-3258 or 845-283-0764.

Photo: Jeannie Calcano, Maria Diaz, and Vanessa Inarunikia of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society (Photo by Mamarazi)

UCTPTN 05.14.2008

Taino and Arawak Works on Display at UN Headquarters

United Nations (UCTP Taino News) – Contemporary Taino artists Reina Miranda, Mildred Mukara Torres Speeg and John Aguilar Marrero were among the indigenous artists whose selected works were featured at the opening of the United Nations Art exhibition entitled “Spirit of Our Ancestors”. The exhibition was launched in conjuction with the 7th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the opening took place on Tuesday, April 22nd 2008 at United Nations headquarters in New York. A testament to Caribbean indigenous survival, the paintings and their accompanying explanatory text have the potential to educate thousands of international visitors daily. Marrero and Miranda are members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society. Torres-Speeg is a UCTP representative in the state of Georgia. Also on display are three wood sculptures by Foster Simon, an acclaimed Lokono Arawak from Pakuri Arawak Territory in Guyana. Mr. Simon’s works are also featured in the Presidential collections of Guyana, Venezuela, and Bolivia. This special exhibition is free and open to the public during weekdays for a limited engagement closing on May 18, 2008.

Photo: Taino women at the opening of the "Spirit of Our Ancestors" exhibition at the United Nations. From left: Leenda Bonilla; Mildred Karaira Gandia, Maria Diaz, and Reina Miranda

UCTPTN 04.23.2008