Thank You, Chairman Roberto Múcaro Borrero

Mabrika Guaitiao (Greetings Relatives):

Below is a news update from United Confederation of Taíno People(UCTP), an international coalition of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples dedicated to the promotion, and protection of the cultural heritage and spiritual traditions of their aboriginal ancestors for their present and future generations.

Roberto Múcaro Borrero (a Borikén Taíno) is the UCTP Chairman as well as Chair of the United Nations International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Committee.

In addition to his work on behalf of UCTP, Chairman Borrero is on staff at the American Museum of Natural History as the Indigenous and Native American Program Coordinator. The emblem is UCTP's official logo and the photograph is of Chairman Roberto Múcaro Borrero.

As you'll soon discover, UCTP and President Borrero have assembled an astounding array of resources, information and activities related to furthering the cause of Taínos and other indigenous peoples across the Americas.

I am a subscriber to UCTP's Taíno News Yahoo Group, and I would readers interested in staying abreast of Taíno developments to join with 1600 others and become a member of the Taíno News Yahoo Group. Subscription is free.

Other UCTP offerings include: The Voice of the Taino People, a nicely done and and informative weblog; and Taino News "Did You Know" Files, a weblog with interesting bitesize morsels of Taíno information paired with lovely illustrations. The latter was unveiled just today.

While I don't know Chairman Borrero, I'd liked to thank him for doing what is clearly an awesome job on our behalf. Perhaps I'll soon get the opportunity to meet and thank Chairman Borrero in person.

As Chairman Borrero would say: Bo'matum (Thank you),

American Taíno

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UCTP Community News and Updates, Jan. 9th 2007

1.) UCTP Launches New Educational Resource

In response to our community's desire for educational resources from a Taino perspective, the United Confederation of Taino People Regional Coordinating Office has launched a new initiative entitled `UCTP Taino News "Did You Know" Files'. This unique online resource is an extension of the United Confederation of Taino People's premier news service "Voice of the Taino People Online". The UCTP Taino News "Did You Know" Files' is ongoing educational project will feature a variety of fact briefs focusing on the Taino People – past, present, and future.

To review the `UCTP Taino News "Did You Know" Files', please visit: http://taino-facts.blogspot.com/

2.) Taino People Featured at American Museum of Natural History...

In conjunction with its dazzling exhibition "Gold", the American Museum of Natural History's annual cultural series Living in America will trace the historical and cultural influence of this glittering symbol of wealth, power, and beauty from ancient times up through modern America with discussions, films, and performances for adults and for families.

Discussions will include a panel with Dr. Jose Barreiro (Guajiro Taino) and famed Lokono Arawak artist George Simon on January 14th and a lecture with acclaimed author of Columbus: His Enterprise, Hans Koning on January 21st. Live performances will include members of Paseo Taino: Travesia Taina from Puerto Rico on January 21st.

A special American Museum of Natural History Crafts Fair and Artist Showcase will feature a number of Taino and Arawak artists such as George Simon, Mildred Mucara Torres-Speeg, John Aguilar Marrero, Reina Miranda, Virginia Robles-Villalba, Enrique Makanaxeti Montalvo, Hermanos Guillen/Roman Guaraguarix Perez, Ramon Caracoli Rivera and others in the Grand Gallery on Sunday, January 14th from 11am-5pm.

For review the complete program and for additional information visit:
www.amnh.org/ livinginamerica

3.) Editorial: The OAS & CARICOM: Missing in Action...

Chief Damon Gerard Corrie (Lokono Arawak), a Member of the Indigenous Caucus Working Group on the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples expresses his views on the current negotiations and the position of Caribbean governments in this process. Corrie will be attending the 9th session on the elaboration of the Declaration forthcoming in Washington DC where he will continue to update the Caribbean indigenous community on this important initiative.

To review Chief Corrie's Editorial visit:
http://uctp. blogspot. com/2006/ 12/editorial- oas-caricom- missing-in. html

4.) Happy Birthdays and congratulations.

The UCTP pauses to extend Happy December, January, February, and March Birthday wishes to UCTP Webmaster Glenn Welker, UCTP News Borikén Correspondent Roger Atihuibancex Hernandez, UCTP Liaison Officer Rose Quinnoes del Valle, UCTP Liaison Officer Cyril Taylor, UCTP Liaison Officer Mildred Mucara Torres-Speeg, UCTP Liaison Officer Bruce Carlino, and UCTP Liaison Officer Cheyenne Velazquez as well as community members Joseph Borrero, Catalina Reyes Rodriquez de Rivera, Jesse M. Perez, Sylvia Karayaturey Rosario, Carlos Duprey, Andrea Dumount, Jaime Rosario, John Santana, Angel Torres, Domingo Hernandez, Celina Gonzalez, Catalina Reyes Rodriguez, Alberto Ayala, Eugenia Aguilar Torres, Hailey and Calista Conde, and Sylvia Guarixecoa Santiago.

The UCTP would also like to extend congratulations to Evelyn and Joe Kaonabo Garcia on the occasion of their 28th wedding anniversary this month. We say bo'matum (thank you) for the wonderful example they continue to provide the community. The Garcias are UCTP Liaison Officers in the State of Washington.

Pasteles are Taino by Roberto Borrero

Of course, pasteles are Taino. What else would they be? Masa from guineo, yuca and yautia with a tasty filling, wrapped in banana leaves with a schmear of achiote, and cooked in a large kettle, couldn't be anything but a Taino delicacy. And, of course, guanimes -- my childhood favorite.

Here's an excerpt from Roberto Múcaro Borrero's Pasteles are Taino:

Even today, making pasteles is still a family affair, for example, your Mom might grate the yucca or guineo, while an aunt will prepare the masa, grandma could be seasoning the meat to perfection, and a cousin can literally wrap the whole process up nicely.

As I understand it, in Boriken, there were at least three and possibly more original “pasteles” - one made from mais (corn), one from yuka, and another from yautia. If you thought you were the only Boricuas making pasteles from yuka, my sisters and brothers, – we Tainos taught you that hundreds of years ago.

In fact, yuka and yautia are Taino words. “Mais” derives from the Taino word maisi. And the Taino word for pasteles made from corn is guanime.

Full article published in La Divina Latina

Puerto Rico 's Taino Roots on Native America Calling -Thursday, 2.5.09

Before it was Puerto Rico, it was known to the Taino people as Borinquen – “land of the brave noble lord.” Many of today’s Puerto Ricans, both those born on the island and in the states, trace their indigenous roots to Taino ancestors.

One geneticist discovered 3 out of 5 native Puerto Ricans have remnants of Taino DNA streaming through their blood. As the legacy of the Taino people of the Caribbean is rediscovered, what is turning Puerto Ricans back to their Borinquen roots?

Native America Calling's Special Guest: Roberto Mukaro Agueibana Borrero, President and Chairman of the United Confederation of Taino People.

Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1-2pm EST

To participate: call 1-800-996-2848, that's 1-800-99-NATIVE

TO LISTEN ONLINE:

KNBA-FM 90.3 Anchorage, Alaska

NV1 Albuquerque, NM

KISU 91.1 FM Pocatello, Idaho

KUNM-FM 89.9 FM Albuquerque, New Mexico

KSJD 91.5 Cortez, Colorado

KSUT-FM 91.3 FM Ignacio, Colorado

KSFC 91.9 FM Spokane, Washington

WOJB-FM 88.9 FM Hayward, Wisconsin

KGVA-FM 88.1 Fort Belknap, Montana

The History, Music and Culture of the Indigenous Taíno People - 3.20.09 @ The New York Open Center

This evening, indigenous activist, historian, artist, musician and storyteller Roberto Borrero, one of only a handful of actual Taino descendants who are considered authorities on the ancient Taino culture, will introduce us to the history, creation stories, spirituality, music and song of the first indigenous people encountered by Columbus in 1492.

The program will include stunning slides and a performance of Taino music by Roberto and other members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Taino culture.

AN EVENING EVENT

Friday, March 20, 7:30pm
The New York Open Center
83 Spring Street (Btw B'way and Lafayette Sts.)
212-219-2527 Ext.2
www.opencenter.org
Program #09WSN14P
Members: $18/Nonmembers: $20
Location: The New York Open Center, 83 Spring Street
(Btw B'way and Lafayette Sts.)
Contact: www.opencenter. org

Source: UCTP - email: la_voz_taino@yahoo.com

Indigenous Peoples Day at The American Museum of Natural History

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) and Taino Spirit will display their works throughout the day.

Taino in the Southeast US pre-1492

[Taino Indians lived at least as far north as the Smoky Mountains. ¿Como? ¿Puertorriqueños en América del Norte antes de que Cristóbal Colón? ¡Por seguro! Forensic geologists and Native American scholars are opening the flood gates of new knowledge about North America’s past.]


The petroglyphs from Arecibo, PR and Atlanta, GA both portray a Taino guardian spirit.

Puertoricans came to North America before Columbus, March 12, 2013, Examiner.com 

New Year's Resolution: Up The Fight!

I stopped making New Year's resolutions awhile ago after continuously failing to keep them, but this year I'm making an exception.

2006 has been my most difficult year yet professionally. Believe it or not but helping people start schools for kids is a hugely controversial thing in NY--and I'm on the hit list.

Starting American Taino (originally U.S.Taino) is in part my way of saying that while they can hurt me economically (and they have), they will not shut me down.

Therefore, my resolutions:

1) Stay true to who I am. This means challenging people on the right as well as on the the left--especially on issues so important to the poor and families of color like education, political representation and economic reforms.

2) Leverage the American Taino experience into a powerful voice for U.S.Latinos and others on the Internet and related mediums.

3) Stay positive and optimistic about the future. It's far too easy to take one's eyes off the prize in polarized times. The left and the right are both guilty of using shrill and divisive tactics in their tired game of "king of the hill". The truth is that the sky is not falling and America is trending in a positive direction. The merchants of strife, inane policies and overheated rhetoric will be increasingly lose ground to sane, mature, civic minded class of leaders.

4) Inspire a sense of pride and optimism among people, especially among those of the working classes and immigrants. These really are the people that produce the country's wealth, bring new ideas, protect the country and give disproportionately to aid others. They are what keeps the American Dream alive for all.

5) Broaden my network. That is, develop an expanding network of individuals that are decent and forward thinking; value workers and entrepreneurs; celebrate; honor important traditions and celebrate diversity; focus on innovation and problem-solving; and are deeply committed to raising the quality of civic life through information, debate and choice.

These are tough resolutions and I'll need your help in carrying them out.

Dutch Salsa

It's always interested me why the good folks of the Netherlands (the Dutch) show such interest in American Taino. They visit the weblog at three times the rate of the Germans and the French--and over twice the rate of the Spanish.

Actually, the Dutch have shown more interest in American Taino than have Latin Americans except for those in Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Why?

While I honestly don't know, I suspect it has something to do with the openness and curiosity of the Dutch. As a crossroads of Western Europe, the Netherlands has always been a multi-lingual and multi-cultural society. For example, the Dutch never fail to amaze me with their fluency in English and other world languages. It probably also has something to do with the strong presence of the Dutch in the Caribbean.

Latin Americans and people from the Caribbean have found their way to the Netherlands, settling there in growing numbers. According to the Migration Institute, some 25,000 Latin Americans were living in the Netherlands in 2005. And as one can imagine, there are children whose parents are Latino and Dutch.

Actually, recently I completed an online survey on Taino parentage sent to me by a student studying at a Dutch University. The young woman is a Dutch citizen of Puerto Rican and Dutch heritage.

And then there's this bit of information from the Netherlands: The Dutch love Salsa.

While Salsa is popular across a number of European capitols, the Dutch seem to have made it their own, including holding an national Salsa Festival each year. This year's festival takes place October 26-28 in the Dutch historic city of Haarlem. (And yes, NYC's Harlem was named after the Dutch Haarlem. After all, NYC was originally a Dutch City.)

Of course, we can't forget that the Netherland Antilles of Sint Maartens, Bonaire, Saba, Curacao and Sint Eustatius are Caribbean neighbors of Puerto Rico. This may explain actor Jimmy Smits' Puerto Rican and Dutch heritage. And Puerto Rico itself was captured by the Dutch in 1625 and held for a period of time.

Here are just a few Dutch Salsa websites:

SalsaFestival.nl
Salsa.nl
Salsa - Amsterdam.nl
Salsanet.nl - The Dutch Resource for Salsa and Samba
Salsaforum.nl
UnionSalsa.nl

And the Dutch in Puerto Rico website:

The Dutch Club of Puerto Rico

The Taíno People of Cuba

Indians in Cuba (by Jose Barreiro, Cultural Survival Quarterly Issue 13.3 - 9.30.89)
Punta Maisi, Cuba

The old Indian woman, a descendant of Cuba's Taíno-Arawak people, bent over and touched the leaves of a small tree. Her open-palmed hand lifted the round, green leaves in a light handshake. "These are good for inflammations of the ovaries," she said. "I gave them to all my young women." "She knows a lot," her daughter, Marta, said. "She doesn't need a pharmacy. You have something wrong with your body, she can make you a tea - un cocimiento - and fix you up."

The mother and two sisters, part of a large extended family known in this town for its Indian ancestry, continued to show me their patio. Around an old well, where they wash their laundry, they pointed out more than a dozen herbs and other useful plants. The Cobas Hernandez clan, from which Maria and her several daughters, her son, Pedro, and his brothers spring, counts several living generations of families from here to the city of Baracoa, about 120 km west from Los Arados on Cuba's southern coast. They are not the only such extended family and they are not the only people of clear Indian ancestry in Cuba still living in their aboriginal areas.

It may surprise many social scientists that nestled in the mountains of the Oriente region (eastern Cuba), from Baracoa on the southern coast all the way to the Pico Turquino, the highest mountain in Cuba, there are numerous caserios, several barrios, and at least one community of more than a thousand Indian people. They were called Cubeños by Father Bartolome de Las Casas, who helped some of their communities to survive, and are ancestors of the original Taínos who met Columbus.

In March and April 1989, I traveled to Santiago de Cuba to attend a conference, "Seeds of Commerce," mutually sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution and a Cuban research center, the Casa del Caribe. I took the opportunity to extend my visit for two weeks, first in the Baracoa-Punta Maisi region and then west to the plains country of Camaguey. I wanted to ascertain the veracity of testimonies that I had heard as a child and that have been recently published in Cuban academic journals, to the effect that Taino-Arawak descendants inhabit the eastern region of Cuba. I wanted to reacquaint myself with the people of guajiro background still prevalent in the Camaguey countryside.

Click here for the full article.

Thanks to Tomas Waribonex Luzojos of the Taíno Nation of the Antilles for finding this article. The Taíno Nation's Official Taino Nation News is an informative site for Taíno related articles, notices and commentary.

Cultural Survival promotes the rights, voices and visions of indigenous peoples.

Read other articles by Jose Barreiro published in Indian Country Today.

Latino Grits

I am pleased to see that the NYTimes is running a series on Latinos in the Old South. The series is relatively new, with the most recent installment published on Sunday, December 31, 2006. It gives a real human face to the numerous posts in U.S.Taino/American Taino on the changing face and politics of the Old South.

This series includes three articles and all are on the changes wrought by the exploding Latino population in the Atkinson County area of southern Georgia. Below are links to the three articles. I'll keep a look our for additions to the series.

(Please note that will will need to complete a free subscription to access the older articles.)

Hispanic Teenagers Join Southern Mainstream December 31, 2006
Article #3 is about a popular high school boy of a high school that until recently had few Latinos. The boy is a Georgia-born Latino (Puerto Rican father and Mexican mother) and this fall was voted Homecoming King along with a Latina Homecoming Queen, the first Latino royal couple ever for the fast-changing Georgia community.

A Racial Rift That Isn’t Black and White October 3, 2006
Article # 2 is a about the tension that exists between the fast-growing Latino population and the local African Americans. The article focuses on two ministers that work together to serve their respective congregations and work to heal rifts caused by economic competition and cultural/racial differences.

In Georgia, Immigrants Unsettle Old Sense of Place August 4, 2006
Article #1 sets the stage for the series by presenting data and outlining the major themes of population growth and the resulting inter-group tensions. The South grew to 2.4 million from 562,663 between 1990 and 2005. The specific demographics of Atkinson County, Georgia, near the Florida border, are highlighted because the area has become a "cauldron of demographic change". One theme that emerges is that African Americans as well as Whites feel overwhelmed by the changes. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the county.

If you look at the map you see the geographic proximity of southern Georgia to Latino Florida. Cuban exiles settled southern Florida around 1959 after Fidel Castro took over Cuba. Puerto Rican from the Northeast and the island settled central Florida in large numbers starting in the 1980s. Mexican immigrants have been migrating into southern Georgia since the late 1990s.

The article concludes with this observation from Olga Contreras-Martinez, a naturalized citizen and college graduate: “I’m a Latina Grits — a Latina girl raised in the South. So I’m still here.”

Day of the Puerto Rican Indian

Day of the Puerto Rican Indian (UCTP Taino News "Did You Know" Files - 8.1.07)

The official “Day of the Puerto Rican Indian” was inaugurated in a State Proclamation of the Interim Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Hon. Fernando Chardón, on the 12th day of August 1970.

Recently, the autonomous municipality of Jayuya (Office of Tourism) in cooperation with local Taino represented by CATTA-COOP Inc. has celebrated this day with a weekend of special presentations and programs.

This year’s event will take place on August 11 & 12, 2007 in Barrio Coaybey, Jayuya, Puerto Rico.

American Museum of Natural History’s Caribbean Festival

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) - The American Museum of Natural History will host a Caribbean Heritage Festival in recognition of the region’s cultural legacy and diversity on Sunday, June 22, 2008 from 12 noon – 5:00 p.m. The celebration will highlight the region's contributions and cultures through family friendly programs with guest presenters, performers and films.

A Caribbean art display will be featured in the Museum’s Grand Gallery with artists representing Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Caribbean indigenous artists Aguilar Marrero and Reina Miranda of Taino Spirit as well as acclaimed Lokono Arawak artist Foster Simon of Guyana will have works exhibited.

The program is presented in collaboration with the Haitian Centers Council, Inc. and is free with suggested Museum admission.

Photo: Several works by Arawak artist Foster Simon of Pakuri Territory in Guyana will be exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History’s Caribbean Festival.

Reviews

Your Blog is a much needed Taino information source. Yes, you are a true "Taino Warrior".

A. Vázquez

Pretty cool blog.

T. Lopez

The blog is awesome...so full of information.

N. Segarra

WOW!! This is really some good stuff. I enjoy reading your thoughts -- please keep sharing.

A. Scott

I am very impressed with all of the information and breadth of topics.

Dr. L. Valenzuela

I just wanted to say to you thanks for your postings. I do not have much time--with three kids and all, but I do want to stay on top of the issues in this world.

A. Sanchez

I find your blog to be very informative. Thank you!!

A. Veras

Great stuff!

Dr. F. Vásquez

You should write a book. A lot of Latinos feel disconnected from their roots and I believe a well written, fun book with facts, history and real stories from the memories of elders would be a big seller.

R. DeJesus

Too cool! I really enjoy reading your blog. It helps keep me on top of the political scene. Keep it up!

M. Vázquez

Angelina and Banderas in 'Cuba'

"Blessed Art Thou" by Kate Kretz is supposed to symbolize good and evil: Angelina is angelic; Walmart, satanic. Just a tad simplistic; and for many, sacrilegious to boot!. Politics aside, I like it because, well, it's of Angelina and I like her. Not only is she beautiful but she's a fine actor as well.

That brings me to the real purpose of this post: Original Sin, i.e., the movie. It stars Angelina and Antonio Banderas. Banderas is a well-to-do landowner and Angelina is his mail-order bride. But in an interesting twist it turns out that Angelina is not the person with whom the lonely Banderas' fiance. They immediately marry, he falls deeply in love with her, and then her secret life begins to emerge. Banderas learns that Angelina is not whom she claims to be and may in fact may be the murderer of his fiance.

What's intriguing is the movie's setting in late 1800's (or early 1990's) Cuba. The filmmakers attempted to give an authentic feel to the Cuba life. The landscape, music, harvesting of coffee beans, the clipping of a Cohiba, the breakfast cappuchino and the people surrounding the Hacienda created an interesting environment. There were also Afro-Cuban servants, the American Southerner, the catty society lady, and backstreet characters.

Since the movie is about the relationship between Banderas and Angelina, it doesn't really matter what the setting is. But since it is set in a place and time that's of interest to American Taino, it's hard not to notice a few odd things about the characters and the backdrop.

One is that the Banderas character is a wealthy and hugely handsome Hacendado, but his only recourse for attracting mate is via mail order? With all of the lovely and available Cubanas, this guy has to import an unknown and unattractive (the fiance was very unattractive) woman from the states? Maybe it would've worked had the male actor been played by a wickedly unattractive actor, but Banderas?

Also, Banderas is so nice that it seems almost impossible. I'm only guessing but I that running a coffee plantation is a hugely complex undertaking requiring many executive type decisions. But Banderas seems to float from one scene to the next as if he's a well-to-do guest at a fancy hotel. I don't think so.

The other is that the servants are all just so happy. Servants in that era were thisfar removed from slavery and hacienda labor was difficult. Banderas actually asks an especially giddy servant what's so funny, but we never learn. It reminds me of those American black & white movies where the servants always wore big grins and also seemed to be tad too happy. It seems inexcusable that today movie makers still portray black servants as giddy simpletons.

Finally, I would think that a successful business man in Cuba around the time of the Spanish-American War would be greatly affected by the colossal change in the country's politics, business and culture.

Even with its major flaws, I still recommend the movie. There's something about Angelina in almost any role, any movie that makes the experience worthwhile. I also do love that its set in Cuba. However, I really wouldn't mind watching a period Cuban movie with greater authenticity.

The Most Credible and Authentic Independent Latino Blog

It's an honor whenever readers--especially fellow bloggers--think enough of what you do to recommend it to others.

The publisher of my oh my oh my oh has done just that in Pensamientos con los blogueros -- a search for the best online Latino oriented election coverage. She/he picked the best of the Latino Netroots in these three categories: Individual Bloggers; Intentional/Professional Blogs: and Spanish Language websites.

Here are the top choices:

Individual Blogger

American Taíno - The most credible and authentic independent Latino blog I found, author identified himself and covers a variety of topics with an open and independent mind.

Intentional/Professional Blog

Latinos for Obama Blogspot - “Latinos for Obama is part of the Democratic National Committee Hispanic Caucus’ CasaBlanca Project, a grassroots group.”

Spanish Language Website

Tu voto es tu futuro - The Spanish Language news service of AOL. Good continuous balanced coverage of both candidates – sort of looks foreign after looking at so many one sided blogs and web sites. One of the two Latino or Spanish language pieces on McCain’s address to the National Council of La Raza that I found (the other was at American Taino) and the only place where I saw strong anti-Obama comments posted from users.

Very cool.

Home For Sale in Puerto Rico

Purchase your piece of paradise in Palmas Baja on Puerto Rico's south side.

The tropical home has 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a living room, dining room and kitchen, and a bonus room.

Also featured is a water tank, carport, shed, gated driveway, porch and lush tropical plants.

On a quiet dead end street w/mountain views, the home is near the Guamani River, routes 179 and 15, and just 1 mile North of Guayama's famous Plaza Cristóbal Colón, Bellas Arte and Casa Cautiño Museum.

Situated close to everything, it's just minutes to Route 52 (Ponce to San Juan), coastal Route 3 and aqua green Caribbean beaches (Arroyo, Patillas, Salinas). For example, EL Legado Golf Resort 3 mi, Jobos Bay Reserve 5mi, Port of Arroyo 5mi, Lake Carite 8mi, Lake Patillas 10mi, Guavate Forest 15mi, Cayey 12mi, Carite Forest Reserve-Blue Water Pool 20mi, Ponce 38mi, City of Humacao 35mi, Tibes 'Taino' Ceremonial Center 40 mi, San Juan 50mi, El Yunque Rainforest 53mi, Fajardo 58mi (and the ferry to Vieques and Culebra), La Parguera EcoTourism Center 60 mi.

Offered at $80,000 (U.S.)

Contact:
Gerry Vazquez
631.338.7392
vazquezgerry@yahoo.com

About Guayama:
Bewitched In Guayama (by J.A. del Rosario, Puerto Rico Herald - 3.19.04)
Guayama, Puerto Rico Metropolitan Area (a listing of local camping, hiking, backpacking, lakes and beaches by Hikercentral.com)
Casa Cautiño Museum
Interamerican University - Guayama Campus"
Centro de Bellas Artes
Plaza Cristóbal Colón
EL LEGADO GOLF RESORT "HOME OF CHICHI RODRIGUEZ"

Salute Latinos for defending America

Salute Latinos for defending America (by Jose Rivera, Democrat & Chronicle - 5.28.07)

Rochester, New York - Among those we need to remember this Memorial Day are the brave men of Puerto Rico's 65th Infanteria/Infantry Regiment who, like many others, sacrificed much to defend the American way of life.

The 65th or "Los Borinqueneers" (derived from "Boriken," the Taino Indian name for Puerto Rico) was a segregated Army unit composed of Puerto Ricans. The 65th began as an all-volunteer unit in 1899, soon after the Spanish-American War, when the U.S. government cultivated Puerto Rico as a strategic buffer in defense of U.S. interests in the region.

Then, in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones Act that made Puerto Rico a U.S. territory and granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship as well as the opportunity to serve in the U.S. military. He also signed the Compulsory Military Service Act, which ushered in the drafting of 20,000 Puerto Ricans into World War I. Puerto Ricans also served during World War II. However, it was during the Korean War that the 65th made its mark and saw extensive combat as part of the 3rd Army Division.

Some of the local members of the 65th Infantry or "Los Borinqueneers" include: Pedro Rodriquez (deceased), World War II and Korean War; Jose "Cheo" Cruz-Sein, (deceased), Korean War; Juan Rodríguez Flores (deceased), Korean War; Jose U. Olivieri Rivera, Korea War; Roberto Burgos Sr., World War II and Korean War. If you have any information on other local members of the 65th Infantry, e-mail Jose Rivera at shoshin@Rochester.rr.com.

As a segregated unit, the 65th was not without challenges. My dad, Jose Olivieri Rivera, who served with the 65th during the Korean War, recently told me, the "65th Puerto Ricans themselves were segregated according to color and height, and when stateside were told to use facilities designated for 'whites' and 'Negroes' accordingly."

Nonetheless, serving in the armed forces has been an honorable tradition among many Puerto Rican families. So, I do not understand why Ken Burns' documentary series The War originally did not include interviews or information regarding the 500,000 Latinos who served during WWII.

It is time for us to recognize the significant contributions that we have all made in the defense of this country and to rewrite our textbooks and re-edit our films so that all of our young people can gain a better appreciation of the sacrifices we have all made as Americans.

In the soon-to-be-released The Borinqueneers, a documentary on the 65th Infantry, filmmaker Noemi Figueroa Soulet does provide us with a poignant account of the military history of the Puerto Rican soldier.

Through the use of rare film footage and interviews with 65th Infantry members and their American commanders, we gain a keen insight into the personalities that drove many decisions made in the field during the Korean War.

Rivera lives in Rochester.

Born in Puerto Rico

Born in Puerto Rico (an excerpt from Jose Feliciano's rendition)

No one knows you like I do.

Nobody can know your heart the way I do.

No one can testify for all that you've been through, but I will.

I was born in Puerto Rico.

And my blood is Taino--

Spanish, Caribbean in my soul.

We came here wearing summer clothes in Winter,

Hearts of sunshine in the cold.

Born in Puerto Rico was written by Paul Simon for The Capeman. Click here for the full lyrics.

Indigenous Groups Most Vulnerable to Climate Change

U.N. panel says indigenous people are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of climate change (by LILY HINDY, AP - 25.5.07)

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Indigenous people around the world are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of climate change, which will threaten their traditional cultures as glaciers melt, ocean temperatures increase and coral reefs disappear, panel members said at a U.N. discussion of biodiversity.

The loss of biodiversity to climate change will hit indigenous people hardest, John Scott, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity said Tuesday.

"Indigenous and local communities ... will bear the brunt of this catastrophe because of their close association with their lands and waters," said Scott said.

The panel marking the U.N.'s International Biodiversity Day included a reindeer herder from Norway and members of indigenous groups from Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Hindu Kush mountain range that straddles the Pakistan-Afghan border.

See The Voice of the Taino People Online for more on this and related issues.

Hollywood Takes Note of Latino Talent

Juleyka Lantigua in "Oscar nominations reveal Hollywood’s Latino accent" (PopMatters - February 15, 2007), writes that "[t]his year’s Academy Awards could easily be called 'The Latino Oscars.' Latino filmmakers have been nominated across several categories, and that’s cause for celebration."

Of course, American Taino readers already knew that because of Latinos Raid The Oscars published January 24, 2007. (Readers also learned that independent films also have a Latino flare when Latino Films Take Top Prizes at Sundance. January 29, 2007.)

However, I do agree with Lantigua that it's time for Hollywood (and other producers of media) to open the doors of opportunity to talented people without regard to race or ethnicity.