OUR MISSION
At Casa Areyto, we envision a world in which Taíno descendants know who they are and where they come from. To that end, we work to revitalize the Taíno language and culture (assumed lost for 500+ years). Join our efforts to bring back Taíno because together we can do it!
THE TAÍNO LANGUAGE AND PEOPLE
The Taíno are an Indigenous people of the Americas, and the original inhabitants of the islands of the Caribbean and certain parts of the southern United States. They were the first group of Native Americans encountered by Europeans in 1492.
The Taíno were thought to be extinct by much of society for hundreds of years, as many Taíno people were displaced during European colonization of the Americas.
However, in reality, Taíno people never died out! Many of them lived on and passed down their culture through the generations, and studies have shown that a large portion of Caribbeans have Taíno ancestry. Now, in the 21st century, individuals and organizations, such as Casa Areyto, are working to revitalize the Taíno language and culture.
OUR FOUNDER
Priscilla Colón
Founder & Creative
Tau, dak'toká Priscilla.
Hello, I am Priscilla.
As a Taíno Indigenous descendant, I have embarked on a journey of self-discovery, working to learn and share information about my Indigenous roots. Here's a little bit more about me.
I’m a writer, artist, teacher, and proud language nerd with over 20 years of experience developing language programs. But my true passion—and life’s mission—is revitalizing the Taíno language and culture. Through free online videos, children’s books, and live events, I’m dedicated to helping Taíno descendants reconnect with their heritage and bring healing to our community.
As a language advocate, I’ve had the honor of participating in Language Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill with the Joint National Committee for Languages (JNCL-NCLIS) and as a presenter for the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education (MABE). On the international stage, I serve as Co-chair of Ad-hoc Group 1 for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032), working to protect and promote Indigenous languages worldwide.
Join me on this journey of language and cultural revitalization!
OUR NAME
Casa Areyto
The name Casa Areyto has deep meaning. First, the name represents our Spanish and Taíno language backgrounds. "Casa" means "home" in Spanish, and "aréyto" is a Taíno word for "ceremonial dance and celebration". During an aréyto, our ancestors gathered to sing songs, recite poetry, and perform beautifully choreographed dances as a way to tell our people's stories and pass on our traditions. The aréyto, in essence, is an act of remembrance. Through Casa Areyto, I hope to continue our Taíno ancestors' legacy by helping us remember our Indigenous language and culture.
