Mass. House to honor Higuayagua Taino Luku Kairi Tribal Nation

BOSTON — The Massachusetts House of Representatives will honor the Higuayagua Taino Luku Kairi Tribal Nation with a formal resolution on Wednesday.

The Taino people are the indigenous forebears of people from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands.

Members of the tribe will be present at the State House to receive the resolution.

The effort was initiated by state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-10th Hampden, whose district includes large groups of people from the Caribbean.

"Massachusetts is home to the fifth largest Puerto Rican population in the U.S., and the Springfield area has a large Puerto Rican and Dominican community," said Gonzalez in a statement. "Hampden County is the largest county with Taino descendants in Massachusetts, and we are proud to have representatives of this rich heritage serving in the State House."

This resolution also encourages the celebration and education of Taino history and contributions.

The recognition will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the State House.

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