In 2008, Juan Carlos Martinez Cruzado, Professor of Genetics at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, confirmed that her Amerindian Mitochondrial DNA not only identified her as Taino from Boriken (Haplogroup A-1) but further identified that her family's Boriken origins were of the ancient peoples that predated the Tainos -- the Arcaicos (The Ancient Ones). The DNA results were of no great surprise to her Mom, who wondered what was the question (see photo of her Taino grandmother below).
In 2004, Tekina-eirú met Cacike Cacibaopil Veguilla of Concilio Taino Guatu Ma-Cu in Boriken and began learning about her Taino heritage, a heritage that was hers by blood. In 2006, Tekina-eirú began a project with Cacike Cacibaopil for her Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRFDance) that would forever change her life. It would include intensive research to build a foundation for a "Taino Project" that PRFDance would execute in 2008. For her, this project was a lifetime dream to learn more about her own family ancestry she thought was forever lost.
In February 2007, she began regular journeys to Puerto Rico to deepen her education with the Cacike and his people. She thought this would be a study of Taino petroglyphs and ancient artifacts. But when they begin to sing in Taino, she experienced an "awakening," the opening of a door that could never be closed again. She finally had the words to express what her heart already knew.
In March 2007, she danced in her first Areyto in Boriken where she received her Taino name Tekina-eirú (maestra dulce/sweet teacher), an "efecto de Dios" (from God) Cacibaopil explained. She officially joined El Concilio, and her name was later consecrated in a beautiful Naming Ceremony in March 2008 in the mountains of San Lorenzo where her Taino grandmother was born.
Of the many gifts Tekina-eirú has inherited from her Taino Ancestors -- their deep spirituality that is felt in every aspect of life -- is the most meaningful to her. The visibly-active presence in her life since childhood -- manifested through nature and dreams -- took on new understanding as she journeyed deeper into Taino spirituality.
Tekina-eiru was very blessed to have been trained for nearly 20 years in ancestral Taino traditions through oral teachings and everday life experiences with Cacike Cacibaopil. In 2007, Tekina-eiru began returning to Boriken -- multiple trips each year -- that grew her understanding of true Taino history, cultural traditions, and spirituality.
In March 2009, Dr. Maynard received an AREITO AWARD FOR DANCE AND THEATRE from the Taino community at the 1st annual Taino Awards ceremony at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City. The award for outstanding achievement recognized her accomplishments as a Tekina -- a Teacher of Taino traditions and writer of ceremonial music and dance.
In 2011, Tekina-eirú was consecrated an Elder (Naguety) and continued growing the Taino mission in Texas that she had begun at her cultural center with Cacibaopil in 2008. Through Tekina-eirú's advocacy and leadership, Taino consciousness has been growing and many are embracing their Taino calling beyond cultural education.
On Sunday, February 5, 2023, Tekina-eiru's great mentor - Cacike Cacibaopil - joined the Ancestors in Soraya. She will be forever grateful to this lion of Taino Cause who changed the course of her life.
Today, Kacike Tekina-eiru is the traditional Taino and Spiritual Leader of Yukayeke Yara Cu, a community of Taíno blood descendants and Guaytiao (friends). She was chosen in ceremony by her community to serve as Kacike in 2023.
Enjoy these photos of her ongoing lifetime journey, including a visit to the forest preserve, El Bosque del Charco Azul, in the mountains of Cayey!
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