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Director-Executive Producer-Producer-Editor: Lani Cupchoy, Producers: Jorge Rodriguez, Joey Quenga, Polo Muñoz, Eva Cupchoy, Executive Producers: Inaru Ina, Roberto Mukaro Borrero
The first phase of our three-part online conference on the
Effects of Religion on Indigenous Spirituality
held online Sunday September 15,2024 from 2-4PM was a tremendous success.
We kicked off the event with a statement from Elder Inarunikia, the founder and council member of Bohio Atabei Mujeres de La Yuka y el Jaguar, a Caribbean Indigenous women's circle. As the creator of the Voice of Mother Earth Conference, she made history by bringing the voices of Indigenous Caribbean women and elders to the National Museum of the American Indian for the first time, ensuring that the living voices of the Taino peoples were heard within the circle of Indigenous Nations.
Elder Inarunikia, a semi-retired healthcare professional, clinical coordinator, educator, and former elected county official, brings a wealth of experience as an Indigenous human rights activist. Her deep passion for her heritage and unwavering commitment to her community drive her work. She currently serves as the Vice President of the National Alliance of American Indians Long House and is a member of both the Council of Indigenous Elders of the Americas and the People of the Condor, as well as Peace and Dignity Journeys. Additionally, she collaborates with award-winning film director Professor Lani Cupchoy as a producer of documentary films, sharing the stories of her Native homeland of Boriken and our relatives from Hawaii and Guam with a global audience.
The Opening Prayer was delivered by
Kasike Gypsy Agueibahari Yukayeke Taino Biekes Boriken. As a former law enforcement official and municipal council member, Kasike Agueibahari has dedicated his life to serving his community. Chosen by his elders to be a Kasike, he remains committed to creating a better future for the Taino people and upcoming generations.
He holds a degree in business administration and frequently conducts financial education classes for his community.
His is a talented author as well, Kasike Agueibahari consistently answers the call for support, exemplified by his involvement in the Children's Areito, where he teaches the importance of living our culture without ever seeking compensation for his time and or contributions.
Our moderator was Kasike Mukaro Agueibana Yukayeke Guainia who is a highly respected figure in the Caribbean Indigenous community.
Selected in a sacred ceremony that honors ancestral traditions, he serves as the Kasike of his Yukayeke and is one of the first from his generation to hold this esteemed role. As a former member of the producers circle under Raven Silva for the Circle of Red Nations radio program, he has played a vital role in amplifying Indigenous Caribbean voices.
In addition, he is the Founder and Creative Director of Cacibajagua, the only Taino dance group committed to showcasing the dances and music of his people on a global platform. He also led a small language committee within his Yukayeke that successfully published a Taino language dictionary. It is an honor to have him as our narrator.
Currently, Kasike Mukaro Agueibana serves as a United Nations Consultant with the International Indian Treaty Council and holds the prestigious title of President of the United Confederation of Taino People.
Among the distinguished panel of speakers was also indigenous rights activist
Kasike Kallan Nibonrix Kaiman, a true warrior and strong advocate for the recognition of the Taíno indigenous people in Jamaica, as well as their non-Indigenous allies who have long supported our communities. His commitment to human rights encompasses the rights of Indigenous peoples across the West Indies and beyond. As the custodian of Yamaye/Jamaican Taíno traditions, he has represented YCOIL at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, part of the Organization of American States.
Kasike Kallan Nibonrix Kaiman is also a respected healer and medicine man, holding memberships in the Council of Indigenous Traditional Healers of the Americas.
He delivered an insightful presentation on the historical religious oppression faced by our people and the intergenerational trauma it has caused.
Another distinguished speaker at the table was
Ms. Dee Anderson Martínez, a young pioneering Taino anthropologist dedicated to advocating for her community. Focusing on education and Indigenous activism,
she strives to bring authenticity to narratives surrounding Indigenous culture. Dee challenges non-Indigenous academics who have historically misrepresented Taino experiences, emphasizing the need for Indigenous voices in academia, particularly within her family and community in Yukayeke Taino Boriken.
As a talented writer, she offers fresh perspectives to Caribbean Indigenous circles, fostering hope for a better Taino future grounded in Indigenous scholarship rather than misinformed external narratives. Her presentation on the creation stories of her people and their historical interactions outside the Caribbean on Turtle Island was exceptional.
Dee Anderson Martínez is also a retired military veteran who served with distinction. She is a proud mother and wife to her husband, Mitchell, who fully supports her work. Additionally, she is a member of Yukayeke Taino Biekes.
A significant contributor to the conference was
Sra. Tekina Lisa Nikini Inaru, a member of Yukayeke Taino Biekes Boriken, who is well-versed in Afro-Caribbean religions. Her insights underscored the importance of how we interact with one another regarding matters of faith.
Tekina Lisa Nikini Inaru is open to sharing an expanded version of her personal journey of honoring Afro-Taino heritage and spiritual practices in the second phase of this historical conference and we all look forward to that.
All The speakers are Taino academics as opposed to non Taino academics and are dedicated to promoting a more accurate and respectful understanding of Taino heritage and culture, particularly regarding the impact of imposed religions on the lives of Indigenous first nations in the Caribbean.
We will announce the dates ,program and list of speakers for the second and third parts of this historic online conference by the end of the month, so please stay tuned for updates.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our speakers, invited guests, and audience for their unwavering support of these educational and healing events.
Please note : Your contributions are greatly appreciated and can be made via
PayPal at bohioatabei@gmail.com
in support of our programs .Any questions please contact us via our email.
Respectfully Bohio Atabei Grandmothers Council.
Thank you for helping us continue this important work!
