ErmeArt

WATCH THE AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY

“We Are Still Here, The Taino Lives!” by Director Ermelinda Cortes, is an Educational Documentary fiscally sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts.It encompasses a decade of research, including Mitochondrial DNA reports, and interviews with leading scholars from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, to the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez. The film examines and confirms the scientific, cultural, historical heritage, preservation and endowment of the diversified people of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. It addresses the vibrant evolution of the ancestral amalgam of the African, Spanish, and Taino, an indigenous people, previous believed to be extinct.In “We Are Still Here, The Taino Lives!” Director Ermelinda Cortes brings you the Curator of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Dr. L. Antonio Curet to discuss the anthropological, ancestral wonder that is the Archaeological Project of Tibes, Puerto Rico. With Geneticist, Dr. Juan C. Martinez Cruzado, of the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez, we get to impart the findings in his groundbreaking DNA study. A study which includes the confirmation of Indigenous Taino MTDNA in present day Puerto Ricans.Personal histories are shared by many, generous elders including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues speaker, Tai Pelli, and Smithsonian NMAI Researcher, and Taino Elder from the Dominican Republic, Jorge Estevez, who work continuously on educating the public on the Taino Identity Beyond Columbus.”We Are Still Here. The Taino Lives!” enlightens future generations by presenting new perspectives, narratives, and scientific research regarding the history of the people of the Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.Strength, Love and support to all my beautiful people of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic! We will Rise!Enjoy the Film!