Bryan becomes first honorary Taino tribe member

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has been inducted as the first honorary member of the Guainia Taino Tribe of the Virgin Islands, a recognition tied to his backing of indigenous peoples in the territory.

Maekiaphan "Anakaona" Phillips, the tribe's kasike or chief, presented Bryan with a certificate and patterned cultural fabric during a ceremony at Government House on St. Thomas on September 28. The event coincided with the territory's observance of the 12th anniversary of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

The induction stems from Bryan's 2021 executive proclamation formally recognising the Taino people, issued on June 28 of that year. Phillips described the significance beyond the paperwork itself: "It represented an important moment in our history, the official acknowledgement of the Taino people as a living Indigenous community of the Virgin Islands and the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship with the Government of the Virgin Islands."

Since the initial proclamation, the Virgin Islands government has issued multiple declarations honouring indigenous history and culture. These include recognition of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Women and Girls on September 5, Indigenous and Native American Heritage Month in November, and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages spanning 2022 to 2032.

On September 17, Bryan and Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach signed an additional proclamation acknowledging "the pre-existing Indigenous cultures that have survived a violent colonization process and continue to exist and thrive in the present day."

Phillips had spent years urging the Legislature and the public to grant official status to indigenous communities in the Virgin Islands. She explained that while government recognition cannot reverse historical damage, it can create a pathway for future generations to maintain their cultural identity.

"Our people are not extinct, nor are we simply a people of the past," Phillips said. "We are here today, our heritage continues, and our responsibility to preserve it for future generations continues with us."