THE PROTEST AGAINST THE WALT DISNEY FILM
UNITED NATIONS
WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS
24th Session, Geneva 31 July to 4 August 2006
Mr. Chairperson,

I am here to speak on behalf of Roberto Mucaro Borrero, President and Chairman of the United Confederation of Taíno People.

"The United Confederation of Taino People condemns the portrayal of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples as savage cannibals in the recent film Walt Disney Film "Pirates of the Caribbean - Deadman's Chest".
We call on the international community and UNESCO to condemn this racist portrayal as this form of stereotyping continues to negatively impact Caribbean Indigenous Communities today.
We call upon this Commission to begin a study and report on the labeling and racial stereotyping of indigenous peoples around the world. This report should include not only media images, but the use of indigenous peoples as mascots for sports teams, the use of indigenous images & symbols as brands for advertising, and other areas which can be submitted at a later date after more consultation with indigenous representatives."
Rosalba Nattero
Vice Chairperson of the Ecospirituality Foundation
For Information Contact:

Roberto Múcaro Borrero
President and Chairman United Confederation of Taíno People
U.S. Regional Coordinating Office
New York, NY USA
http://www.uctp.org
(212) 604-4186
E-mail: uctp_ny@yahoo.com

UCTP Stands in Solidarity with the Kalinago, Carib, and Garifuna Nations

Taino'ti Guaitiao (Greetings relatives):

On behalf of the Taíno People and Nation represented by the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), we are urging all our relations around the world to stand in solidarity with a peaceful protest against Walt Disney Pictures and their upcoming release of "The Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" for its erroneous depiction of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples as savage cannibals.

From the time Christopher Columbus arrived on our shores, it is well known that these "cannibal" images were used as propaganda to enslave and murder Natives Peoples throughout the hemisphere, and beyond.

Therefore, We, the Taino People have united our voices with our Kalinago, Carib, and Garinagu relatives to bring attention to this injustice, racist portrayal of Indigenous Peoples.

With our future generations in our minds and hearts, we urge all our relations to BOYCOTT THIS FILM AND ALL DISNEY PRODUCTS until this company recognizes the injustice and the multi-generational trauma this type of imagery has and continues to inflict upon on our communities, especially our youth.

All people of good conscience should be appalled at these denigrating, stereotypical portrayals attempting to be disguised by DISNEY as humor and entertainment.

In advance, we say Bo'matum (thank you) for your support.

In the Spirit of our Ancestors,
Roberto Múcaro Borrero,
President and Chairman,
UCTP Regional Coordinating Office
www.uctp.org

Naniki Reyes Ocasio
Founder, Caney Quinto Mundo,
Boriken (Puerto Rico)

Elba Anaca Lugo,
President, Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos, Boriken (Puerto Rico)

Don Cesar Serraty,
Fundacion Luz Cosmica Taino,
Quiskeya (Dominican Republic)

Chief Reginaldo Fredericks,
Joboshirima Lokono Arawak Community
Estado Bolivar, Venezuela