Taíno People Honored by the Mashantucket Pequot Nation

Delegates representing the United Confederation of Taino People at a special ceremony at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center Saturday, November 26, 2011. In photo from let to right: Rodney Guatu'shina Rivera, Vivien Guara'naru DuMont, Lourdes Kalichi'naru Lebron, Hector Barakutey Hernandez, Vanessa Inarunikia Pastrana, Claudia Fox Tree, and Roberto Mukaro Borrero.

Mashantucket, Connecticut (UCTP Taíno News) - As a part of their historic commemoration of Native American Heritage Month 2011, the Mashantucket Pequot Nation ceremonially received the flag of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) for permanent display at their Museum and Research Center in Connecticut, yesterday. The Confederation flag is now included as part of the on-going exhibition, “Honoring the Nations: Tribal Flags Today”.

See the full story at UCTP Taino News at:http://www.uctp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=689&Itemid=2

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

Taino Recognize Their Own In NYC

Roberto Borrero and members of Iukaieke Guainia at the Taino Awards

New York, New York (UCTP Taino News) - A diverse group of Taino community members gathered on Saturday, 24 April to support the second annual “Taino awards.” The event was held at the Nuyorican Poets Café and it was presented by the KuKarey Spiritual Circle and Yamocuno Tanama Yucayeke Taino organizations.

See full story at UCTP Taino News

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

Taino Participate in NY Native Festival

Inwood Hill Park, NY (UCTP Taino News) – Members of the Cacibahagua Taino Cultural Society joined other Indigenous Peoples at the Drums Along the Hudson Festival this past Sunday. The festival was hosted by Sandra Bookman, the Weekend Anchor for WABC-TV News, and featured Native American Performers, the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theater from New Zealand, dancers from India and Peru, and a Pow Wow. After a blessing by local Mohawk Nation representatives, the Cacibahagua Taino Cultural Society had the honor of participating in the opening ceremony of the program presenting the song of the sea turtle. Members of Cacibahagua also exhibited and demonstrated Taino cultural items as well as distributed information related to the United Confederation of Taino People throughout the day at the Storytellers Tent. Drums Along the Hudson is a free event presented by Lotus Music and Dance, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, JP Morgon Chase, and WABC-TV.

Photo: Members of the Cacibahagua Taino Cultural Society at the 2009 Drums Along the Hudson Festival. (Photo credit: M. Sague)

UCTPTN 05.18.2009

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.