CHALI’NARU DONES
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Human Right Commission invites you to an event for all ages. Join the commission for a celebration of Indigenous culture on Thursday, October 10 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the Americal Civic Center on Main St., Wakefield.
Through slides, song and dance take a journey to the past, 1492 pre-colonization before and after Columbus. Discover how the myths and false narratives about the Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean developed over time.
The evening’s special guest Chali’naru Dones will open the space with a Taino blessing song. Her presentation will feature a conch shell, a Maraka (instrument) and Makana (oar) and her son will present the Makana warrior dance. To conclude the program the audience will be invited to join in the snake dance, a friendship dance that expresses goodwill and friendship among all humankind.
Chali’naru Dones, a Boriken Taino woman and a member of the Guainia Taino Tribe, is a devoted mother, grandmother, human rights advocate, artist and creative entrepreneur. Her skills stretch wide across the Indigenous arts from jewelry to regalia to ceremonial paraphernalia and other artistic mediums.
Guainía was the largest of all the Indigenous territories encountered when Columbus arrived in 1493. The Guainia Taino Tribe is far from extinct. Today, tribal affiliation is open to all Taíno Tribal Nation Citizens regardless of home origin. For more information about the Guainia Taino Tribe, visit guainia-taino-tribe.net.
To learn about the mission, purpose and activities of the WHRC, please visit wakefield.ma.us/human-rights-commission and facebook.com/WHRC/.
