Taino Indians Still Thrive in Cuba

Not only Hernandez, but everyone interviewed expressed interest in a conference or

congress of Indian families.


The idea that people with Indian backgrounds and identity could meet and exchange

oral histories and natural knowledge was appealing to everyone I interviewed.


Several people had heard about the Columbus Quincentenary, coming up in 1992, and

expressed interest in some kind of event to observe the occasion.



Since the aboriginal ancestors of this region, the Taino, were the first American Indians

to greet Columbus, the idea seemed pertinent.