Join us for an interactive Taíno language workshop followed by a musical performance honoring the Puerto Rican and Irish diasporas.

Schedule of Events:

3pm-5pm: Interactive Taíno Language Workshop led by Ra Jikotea Niaku’no

Ra Jikotea Niaku’no is a kiwari (queer), konutande (vegan), hiaro-iyaraika (feminist) Taino-Borikua ikuruku’hua (artist) and tekina (educator) from the island of Boriken. Ra’s work is committed to the celebration and empowerment of Indigenous Caribbean identity.

Ra is an enrolled tribal member of Higuayagua Taino of the Caribbean Yuyakeye (tribe). Within Higuayagua’s Hiwatahia-Taino language team, she holds the role of tekina (teacher) of Hiwatahia-Taino language.

Ra is also the founder and director of Wuru Taino Tekiro’uo (Proud Taino Institute), a grassroots initiative dedicated to promoting Taino language and culture.

In this workshop, Ra will teach about the history of language revitalization efforts across Taíno communities, and other indigenous groups, before guiding participants in an activity that teaches participants beginner-friendly conversational Hiwatahia-Taino.

5pm-6pm: Break

6pm-8pm: Puerto Rican and Irish Music Fusion Concert

Drawing from music, dance, and poetry traditions of Ireland and Puerto Rico, this performance will feature Jorge Vazquez (vocals, barril de bomba), Carlos Espada (vocals, maracas), Nelson “Mateo” González (vocals, barril de bomba), Clara Isabel Díaz Maldonado(vocals, cuá, dance), Annemarie Acosta (piano accordion), Bernadette Fee (fiddle/ dance), and Colin Harte (vocals, piano, bodhrán).