December 7, 2024 2 – 4 pm (EDT)
Did you know that you speak Taíno? From the hammocks we relax in and the foods we enjoy, to everyday words and even blockbuster films like Avatar, the Taíno Indigenous people’s influence is all around us—yet many Americans have never heard of Taíno! As the first Indigenous Americans of contact in 1492, the Taíno have a profound, yet often overlooked, linguistic legacy that continues to shape our world today.
Join us as we explore the inspiring efforts of Taíno descendants who are revitalizing their linguistic and cultural heritage through language-learning apps, 3D printed robots, virtual classrooms and conferences, and other innovative technologies that help new generations reconnect to their cultural roots and remove educational barriers, making the Taíno language accessible worldwide.
Priscilla Colón, Founder of Casa Areyto and Co-chair of Ad-hoc Group 1 for UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages, will lead this interactive presentation on the Taíno origins of many words, foods, and traditions that continue to shape our culture today. She will also highlight the remarkable projects driving the resurgence of the Taíno language and expanding awareness across cultures and continents. A Q&A session will follow, offering a deeper dive into this vibrant movement.
Priscilla Colón is a Taíno writer, artist, teacher, and self-proclaimed language nerd with over 20 years of experience training diverse language learners and instructors, from government personnel to public school teachers and students.
Driven by her search for her own Indigenous roots, Priscilla founded Casa Areyto with the mission to create a world where every Taíno descendant knows who they are and where they come from. As a proud UNESCO partner, Casa Areyto actively contributes to the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032), supporting global efforts to revive the Taíno language through public events and free online resources, including the first Taíno digital course (currently in development).
In June 2024, Priscilla was appointed Co-chair of UNESCO’s Ad-hoc Group 1: Provision of Education and Domains for Indigenous Languages for IDIL 2022-2032. She is thrilled to honor the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of her Taíno ancestors by using her voice, experience, and passion to help shape global policies for Indigenous languages.
Register here to attend on Eventbrite