Mabrika! (Welcome) The Arawak Taino Still Live! (1492 - Present) "The Tribe of First Contact"
Tribal Leadership
Kacike Yukibo
(Principal Chief)
Dr. Richard Morrow Porrata Ph.D. is the original cofounder of our Yucayeke along with Kacike Rosa Morales in 1992. He is a Retired Associate Professor from The University of Puerto Rico, a Multi-lingual & Cultural Division Language Instructor, and a Retired US Army Colonel. His Highest Degree obtained: Ph.D. Plus, an additional 120 hours of Native American linguistics from the University of Oregon.
He has authored several books on our ancestral language and has led the charge in reviatalizing out language for decades. He also served as the former President of the Native American and Alaskan Native Association and has a vision of seeing our people formally recognized so that we can legally protect our sacred sites and burials from desecration or destruction.
Matunheri Kacike AmaHura
(War Chief/Ambassador)
Chief Joseph Rivera Israel RiverWind was born in Rio Piedras, Boriken. His family is from Barrio Nuevo, Manati, and Hayuya, known as the Indigenous Capital of Puerto Rico. He has served in Tribal Government for 10 years, is a U.S. Army Veteran, and has spent over three decades educating others about Taino and Native American history and culture.
He serves as the appointed Ambassador, representing the tribe in various capacities locally and internationally. He is also as one of the Arawak Taino Language Preservation and Revitalization Instructors of the Boricua dialect of the Island Arawak language.
Bohike Guatu Waribo
(Spiritual Leader)
Pastor Ray Garcia's family comes from Yaoco, Boriken. He grew up in the streets of Brooklyn, New York and after graduating high school, he enlisted in the Army and ended up in Oklahoma where he met his wife, Richelle Darby of the Kiowa Nation.
Bohike Ray has also served in the ministry for over thirty years in several different areas to include senior pastor, evangelist, youth pastor and associate pastor and is currently the head pastor at the Impact Center Church in Lawton, Ok.
Atrata Carmen Nieves
(Clan Mother)
Carmen Nieves has been an integral part of the Yucayeque as it has developed over the decades. She has always been a source of comfort and strength, as well as a keeper of the knowledge of Taino traditions and customs. Her wisdom and servant's heart for the people shine in everything that she does for the tribal community.
Tribal Historian
TBA