Taino American Indigenous National Organization
WHO WE ARE
The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) is a national, Indigenous-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, empowerment, and unification of Arawak Taíno descendants throughout the United States, its territories, and the Caribbean diaspora.
We exist to restore historical truth, protect cultural continuity, and build a unified national pathway toward U.S. Federal Tribal Recognition for the Taíno people. We seek and welcome other such Taino organizations to align and support eachother in these efforts. While operating with full transparency, legal integrity, and respect for all Taíno descendant communities, we aim to create a space where Marylanders and individuals from beyond Maryland who seek to have their Arawak Taino heritage and ancestry championed can have a presence and be heard.
T.A.I.N.O. is not currently a federally recognized tribe and does not claim sovereign governmental authority.
Our work is rooted in education, culturalpreservation, coalition-building, and national advocacy to achieve recognition through lawful, collective, and historically grounded means.
ABOUT US
T.A.I.N.O. does not claim authority to determine blood quantum, genetic purity, or exclusive Taíno identity.
Humanitarianism: The Core of Our Mission
T.A.I.N.O. was established to serve as a national organizing and unifying body for Taíno descendant communities whose existence, survival, and identity were historically denied through colonization, enslavement, forced assimilation, and racial erasure. We view this as a genuine humanitarian effort to continue empowering our ancestors and living descendants.
We recognize that the absence of federal recognition does not negate Indigenous identity—but that recognition remains essential for justice, protection, and permanence under U.S. law.
Councils
Taíno Ancestral & Cultural Councils are known in Taíno history. The Taino American Indigenous National Organization (T.A.I.N.O.) Within the United States legal system, Taíno Ancestral Councils, also known as Cultural or Heritage Councils, are currently recognized as non-sovereign cultural bodies established to preserve, educate, and honor the historical, geographic, and ancestral legacy of the Taíno people throughout the Caribbean and its diaspora, as we collectively work toward hopeful U.S. Federal Tribal Recognition.
From a U.S. legal perspective, these councils do not represent tribes, assert sovereignty, or claim governmental or federally recognized tribal authority. Each council exists solely as a cultural, historical, and educational structure, operating independently of other similar organizations or of T.A.I.N.O.
These Councils are established to: preserve and share Taíno history, traditions, and cultural knowledge | Honor pre-contact Taíno cacicazgos (chiefdoms) and ancestral homelands |
Create spaces for education, cultural continuity, and historical recognition |
Support lineage awareness without exclusion, hierarchy, or political authority.
Each council reflects historical geography and ancestral continuity, not sovereignty. (Some do reflect and claim sovereignty, but only under the laws of a country, not under the U.S.)
Taíno Ancestral and Cultural Councils are non-sovereign cultural bodies established to preserve, educate, and honor the traditions, history, and geographic legacy of pre-contact Taíno cacicazgos. These councils do not exercise political authority, sovereignty, or tribal governance.
Any Active Councils under T.A.I.N.O. :
Hold no independent U.S. legal or political authority.
Do not issue tribal enrollment, citizenship, or legal recognition under U.S. law, and exist for educational, cultural, and historical purposes only.
Membership, Lineage & Identity (Without Gatekeeping)
Participation in T.A.I.N.O. is open to individuals who self-identify as having Taíno or broader Arawak descent, supported by one or more of the following:
Family oral history | Geographic ancestral connection | Cultural continuity or lived cultural practice | Historical records, when available | Explicit Principle
U.S. Virgin Islands (Eastern Taíno Sphere)
The Taíno presence in the U.S. Virgin Islands is well documented archaeologically and historically, particularly on St. Croix and in the surrounding maritime corridors.
Ay-Ay Ancestral Council (St. Croix)
Named after the Ay-Ay archaeological site
Represents ancestral Taíno communities of St. Croix
Focuses on migration, trade, and eastern Taíno cultural exchange
Virgin Passage Cultural Council
Represents the maritime corridor between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Emphasizes canoe travel, inter-island kinship, and trade routes
Recognizes the Virgin Islands as part of the Greater Taíno world.
Legal & Structural Clarification
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to unify Taíno organizations, cultural groups, families, and advocates under a shared framework that advances education, restores truth, and collectively pursues U.S. Federal Tribal Recognition through lawful, historically defensible, and coalition-based strategies.
T.A.I.N.O. does not claim federal or state tribal recognition, does not assert or exercise sovereign authority, and does not operate or represent any government-approved or sanctioned tribal enrollment system. Any voluntary self-identification or community enrollment supported by T.A.I.N.O. is conducted solely for cultural, educational, historical, and community-building purposes, and is intended to support—rather than replace or preempt—any future federally recognized and officially sanctioned tribal registry should such recognition and sovereignty be lawfully attained.
We are an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization actively advocating for Federal Tribal Recognition, not prematurely declaring it. Our approach prioritizes unity over division, truth over titles, and collective advancement over gatekeeping.
Taíno identity is rooted in ancestry, family history, cultural continuity, and lived experience, not blood quantum thresholds or exclusionary enrollment systems. T.A.I.N.O. rejects gatekeeping practices that fragment our people and instead embraces inclusive, historically grounded self-identification.
This inclusive approach strengthens our vision and amplifies the voices of those we represent. In Many cases, some forget the importance and significance of Allyship. Here at T.AI.N.O., we recognize that allyship is not only a necessary ingredient but also significant to our organizational success. We support, promote, and accept Allyship.
We envision a future where the Arawak Taino can thrive and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society by fostering partnerships within our community and among our allies. Together, we are building a legacy of resilience, justice, and unity that transcends boundaries and empowers future generations.
Recognized Taíno Ancestral & Cultural Councils Foundational Councils (Greater Hispaniola Sphere
Guainía Ancestral Council
Represents ancestral Taíno regions associated with eastern Hispaniola
Honors historic population centers and regional continuity
Focuses on lineage, migration, and cultural preservation
Maguaná Cultural Council
Associated with one of the most powerful Taíno cacicazgos of Hispaniola
Honors governance, leadership traditions, and resistance history
Emphasizes historical accuracy and cultural education
Higüey Heritage Council
Represents the eastern coastal region of Hispaniola
Reflects maritime traditions, inter-island trade, and coastal settlement. Focuses on cultural resilience and continuity.
Puerto Rico (Borikén) Ancestral Councils
Puerto Rico (Borikén) was historically organized into multiple Taíno cacicazgos and settlement regions. The following councils reflect documented ancestral geography, not modern political boundaries.
Borikén Central Ancestral Council
Represents the central mountainous region of Puerto Rico
Associated with inland settlements, agriculture, and ceremonial centers
Emphasizes social structure and community life.
Caguana Cultural Council
Connected to the Utuado–Jayuya region
Named after the Caguana Ceremonial Center
Focuses on spiritual practices, petroglyphs, and ceremonial heritage.
Arecibo Coastal Heritage Council
Represents northwestern coastal Borikén
Reflects fishing communities and maritime trade networks
Emphasizes ocean knowledge and survival practices
Bayamón–Toa River Ancestral Council
Associated with the Toa River basin
Highlights agriculture, river-based settlements, and early resistance
Recognizes the importance of waterways in Taíno life
Guaynia–Yauco Southern Heritage Council
Represents southwestern Puerto Rico
Associated with migration, resistance, and survival
Focuses on long-term cultural continuity in southern Borikén
Loíza Ancestral Continuity Council
Represents the northeastern coastal region
Recognizes documented Taíno survival and Afro-Indigenous intersections, emphasizing resilience, blending, and continuity.
This is an abstract recreation of the Great Seal. Founded in 900 BC, The Great Seal of The Taino. It depicts two branches surrounded by 24 leaves of the sacred Cojobana tree. It is the Sacred Badge of Authority according to the Taino and is indicative of tribal blood lineage.
This Seal is the organization's Seal and does not represent any existing official Great Seal of the Taino.
The Taino American Indigenous National Organization seal uses the tribal name "Taino" as an acronym "T.A.I.N.O." The T.A.I.N.O. seal uses design elements to symbolize protection, remembrance, and cultural continuity. These are organizational symbols meant to honor Taíno heritage and the broader Arawak world, and they do not represent governmental authority, enrollment status, or exclusive identity claims. Along the lower section of the seal, each symbol represents other essential elements that the Taino valued and believed in. The far left symbol is "Trigonolito," the God of Fertility. The "Guey" is the Taino symbol for the sun; we believe the Guey is the source of all creation and life. It is typically also known to mean "Good Luck" or "Strength". In the lower center is the "Atabey," believed to be the supreme Goddess with several meanings, all equally important to Taino Life. It means earth, fresh water, and life. She stands at the center of all—Taino existence. The spiral-like symbol, sometimes called the "Triskele," symbolizes balance.
Taino believes that balance must exist and be practiced throughout life. The kissing bird, "Kranes," symbolizes eternal love. , and family. Because of this love and realization of a family structure, everything grown or killed for survival belonged to the entire tribe. At the center of it all is the Great Seal's iteration. (See Official Seal explanation on the About Us page). By incorporating these symbols into our organizational seal, we believe the organization is protected and will flourish, honoring and keeping our people from being forgotten, dismissed, or minimized. We exist, we matter, and we have value.
WE ARE STILL HERE!
