“We Are Still Here, The Taino Lives!” Celebrating our heritage.

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!

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New fall Art Exhibit, “MANAHATTA TODAY REVISITED”

My “Taino Cyber Queen” will be in “MANAHATTA TODAY REVISITED”, an exhibition of work by Indigenous New Yorkers who were in the original show in 2014 with a closing reception on October 12, Indigenous People’s Day!

Opens: September 1st

Closing reception: October 12, 2018

At the Gallery in the Gazebo, in the Bruce Reynolds Memorial Garden, Isham Park in the Inwood Section of Manhattan across from 10 Park Terrace EAST, New York, NY

Curated by Nadema Agard, Director of Red Earth Studio Consulting/Productions

We Are Still Here, The Taino Lives!

Petroglyph Taino 2013

Our documentary will be featured in various upcoming  International Film Festivals!

We were awarded an Official Selection Laurel at the Los Angeles CineFest and we will be releasing a calendar of screening festivals soon!

Right now, we still need your support to get through the final steps of post production, multiple language subtitles, educational support materials and closed captioning for the hearing impaired.

Thank you for your assistance and please click on the link below to watch the trailer and donate to our educational, documentary film!

We Are Still Here, The Taino Lives!