|
united
confederation of taino people |
April
1, 2002
Supervisor Maribeth
Gustafason
Forest Supervisor
Lake Tahoe Basin
Management Unit
870 Emerald Bay Road
South Lake Tahoe,
California 96150
Dear Supervisor Gustafson:
On behalf of the United
Confederation of Taino People, we hope that at the time this letter finds you
it finds you well and in good spirit. We are writing to you as members of the
Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California have brought to our attention the current
controversy involving Cave Rock, a site they consider sacred. We have also seen
a video concerning this case, and we commend you on the opportunity you have
extended for a broad based input into the decision-making process.
We, Taino People, are a
traditionally spiritual people connected with our environment, we fully
understand the importance of protecting the integrity of Cave Rock for the
Washoe. As our own ancestral community extended from what is known today as
Florida, and throughout out the Caribbean Islands, you can be you can be sure
we have also been engaged in a similar struggle to not only protect our ancient
heritage (sacred sites) but to educate other, more recent arrivals about these
areas as many have been designated tourist attractions. For information about
this, please visit our website or our online petition at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/taino/
. Further, we are in agreement with the Washoe
that these areas should be treated as others treat their own places of worship
(e.g. churches, synagogues, temples etc.).
With this in mind, we count
on the Forestry Department to take into serous consideration the claims and the
recommendations of the Washoe People with regard to Cave Rock. We feel that
this is a unique opportunity to set an important example with regard to the
stewardship of areas held sacred to Indigenous Peoples and we look forward to
your thoughts and any follow-up information you can provide us.
Oma’bahari (with respect),
United Confederation
of Taíno People
U.S. Regional Coordinating Office
PO
Box 4515
New York, NY 10163
Tel: 1 (212) 6044186
Fax: 1 (775) 6401358
Email: la_voz_taino@yahoo.com
See also: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/caverock/
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
COPYRIGHT TERMS AND USAGE