| R 139 |
| 2026 -- H 8221 Enacted 03/03/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING THE CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF TAÍNO DESCENDANTS IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Batista, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Kennedy, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, Fellela, Diaz, and Fogarty |
| Date Introduced: March 03, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, The residents of the State of Rhode Island of Taíno heritage represent a |
| diverse cultural community in our state; and |
| WHEREAS, The Taíno are the Indigenous people of Borikén and other Caribbean |
| Islands, with a rich cultural heritage, language, and traditions; and |
| WHEREAS, Members of several Taíno tribal communities, including the Cibuco |
| Bayamón Taíno Tribe, the Baramaya Guainía Yukayeke, and the Baitoa Magua Yaque Taíno, |
| reside in and contribute to communities across the State of Rhode Island through cultural |
| preservation, education, and community engagement; and |
| WHEREAS, The Taíno People contributed historically and culturally to the rich and |
| vibrant history of Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, Taíno-identifying residents of Rhode Island are part of a broader Taíno |
| Diaspora and contribute to the cultural diversity of the state through education, community |
| engagement, and cultural preservation; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| acknowledges the presence and partnership of the Rhode Island American Indian Heritage |
| Commission, and the Federation of Aboriginal Nations of the Americas, whose members |
| represent the continued survival and resurgence of Taíno heritage in the region; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House furthermore recognizes Taíno heritage and acknowledges |
| the presence and contributions of Taíno-descended residents within the state, ensuring that their |
| heritage is recognized and preserved for future generations while fostering a greater |
| understanding of their historical and ongoing contributions to the State of Rhode Island; and be it |
| further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified resolution to the Taíno community representatives in Rhode Island. |
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| LC005197 |
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