The Tribal Council and Its Authority Over Its Tribal Bands

Elder Pedro Guanikeyu Torres <jttn@TAINO-TRIBE.ORG>,
27 January 2001

Tau Ah Taiguey Natiao(s),
Hello And Good Day Brothers,

I was request by a tribal member to explain the function of the Tribal Council and its authority over its Taino Tribal Bands in New Jersey, Florida and Puerto Rico. Today I would like to expand upon four major issues effecting our tribe. It should be made very clear that, when we use the terms Taino tribal band and/or tribal nation, we are speaking about the Jatibonicu tribe as a whole, as we are only one tribe not two or three tribes. I am hopeful that this short article clears up some minor confusion within our general tribal membership.

POWERS OF THE CACIKE:

As it was originally the Tribal Council of Jatibonicu via my authority as the Cacike/ Principal Chief, who has the authority to appoint the Nitaynos/ Chiefs to their tribal positions and as such the Nitaynos are granted the authority to represent and speak for the Cacike as his legally appointed tribal representatives of the Taino tribal bands. The Cacike and the Tribal Council have the authority to dismiss a Nitayno and reappoint another Nitayno in his or her replace. The Nitaynos/ Chiefs are held accountable to the Cacike and the Tribal Council of the Jatibonicu Taino People for their actions. The Cacike is held accountable for his or her action by the Council of Nitaynos and Elders of the Jatibonicu Taino People.

POWERS OF THE NITAYNOS:

It is made very clear that no Nitayno/ Chief under the authority and sovereignty of the Jatibonicu Taino Tribal Nation, can act upon his or her own authority without consulting and obtaining the Elder Cacike's approval and or permission via a collective consent of the Jatibonicu Taino Tribal Council of Nitaynos and Tribal Elders.

It should be made clear that there is but one Cacike and one Tribal Council made up of the Chiefs and Elders of our Jatibonicu Taino Tribal Nation. A Nitayno is looked upon as a Sub-chief or a Captain within the rank and file system of our tribal society. A ranking Nitayno Sub-Chief will acts as the Head Nitayno/ Chief of the tribal Band under the authority bestowed upon him or her by the Cacike or Principal Chief of the Tribal Council.

Furthermore at no time is an appointed Nitayno of the council given the right or the authority to approve or disapprove of a person seeking membership within any of the tribal bands. The Nitaynos do not have the right nor the authority to kick a member out of any tribal band AKA the Tribe without the granted authority and permission or consent of the Cacike/ Principal Chief of the Jatibonicu Taino Tribal Council of Chiefs and Elders. They. the Nitaynos/ Chiefs, will conduct themselves in a respectful manor at official public function as they are representing the Cacike and the Tribal Council of Elders at an official tribal Governmental capacity.

RACISM:

On the issue of racism, it should be made clear that racism of any kind will not be tolerated within our tribe and its tribal nation by our Tribal Council. of Chiefs and Elders. Any tribal representative and/or member who knowingly discriminates against another tribal member or person, based upon race, color or creed will be grounds for dismissed from the tribe of the Jatibonicu Taino Tribal Nation.

TRIBAL TERMINATION:

One who should quits or who is dismissed and/or terminated from a tribal band quits or is dismissed and/or terminated from the whole tribe and/or tribal nation. One does not quit a tribal band to then seek membership in another tribal band. A member has a right to go before the Cacike and the Tribal Council to hear their concerns and objections and to have their case reviewed by the Tribal Council of Chiefs and Elders. When a tribal member voluntarily quits or is dismissed and/or terminated from the tribe, the member is asked to return his or her tribal Enrollment membership ID card.

Sincerely,
Pedro Guanikeyu Torres, Principal Chief & Tribal Elder
Office of Taino Tribal Affairs (Tribal Representative)
The Government of The Jatibonicu Taino Tribal Nation