Did the Natives of Puerto Rico really go extinct?

I spoke to the people who call themselves Indigenous Boricuas and the academics presenting evidence that the Natives of Puerto Rico did not go extinct in the 16th century.

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter: Bianca Graulau

Full interview with historian Juan Manuel Delgado. Credit: Alex Zacarias

Indigenous Dictionary:

[darkwolf]

Me thinking Taino culture was dead: :(


Me realizing they are still out there: :)

[youtubeaccount]

I’m Mexican and I got love for my Puerto Rican brothers and sisters! Aztecas x Tainos! 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷✊🏽

[velmaluciano]

Bianca, my mother was born and raised in Utuado and mentioned to me along time ago that there was a Taino sacred grounds in Utuado. I plan to go to PR for some much needed R and R and I will visit Utuado and visit the Taino grounds my mom mentioned. This was so enlightening and for some reason so emotional when I saw your Tik Tok! I’m from Chicago, born and raised! I want to learn as much as I can especially after viewing this. Be blessed and yes, I’m following you.

[Inushima]

Excelente trabajo y creo que es digno que lo vean más personas, especialmente nuestra gente en Puerto Rico ya que después de ver tan solo 8 minutos de video... me enseñó más que 12 años tomando clases de historia en el sistema de educación en Puerto Rico. 😎👍

[actualfacts]

I’m 35% Taino we still alive and well thanks 🙏🏽 🇵🇷 🇩🇴 🇨🇺 🇯🇲

[robbyrutz]

My feeling is that yes, we still carry Taino and NiTaino blood but with the European and African co-mingling the indigenous has blood has become lessened with time....

[dulceamaya]

While I was growing up, my Grandparents that raised me, always told me stories of the Tainos in PR. I'm so thirsty for this information. They are our people. My people. Tell me more. I feel like a little girl again, listening to my Abuelito tell me the story of his people.

[diegocordero]

My parents moved my family away from Puerto Rico when I less than a year old. Now being 21 years old I visited my abuelo y abuela and only spent a week there on the island. But once I stepped foot on the island. The feeling of not fitting in, the feeling of shallow emptiness completely went away. For the first time in my life I felt like I was truly at home. Now that I'm back in the states I severely miss the culture, the weather and just the overall way of life. I want to thank you for posting your videos, they allow me feel like I'm back for just a moment. I have a two year plan into motion now to get me back to the island and finish my schooling there, and even though I know very little Spanish, Puerto Rico is the place I want to call my home.
Thank you.

[Mumo]

A mi se me salió el pecho de emoción con este trabajo investigativo.
Hay un tukutuku dentro de mi corazón que no puedo controlar por la alegría y felicidad que me causó ver esto💝

[rosieb]

Thank you for this. Both my mother and father were Puerto Rican born on the island. I was not. My mother did not teach us Spanish for fear that we would be ridiculed for speaking Spanish as she was. I speak a little. If I had to give it a percentage it would be about 40 % or 50%. Knowing my history always been a priority for me. This was great. 😊

[aracelisgonzalez-reyes]

All truths come to light, after centuries of oppression people are finally see us for who we are.

[tonynunez]

Your research is outstanding and very informative. You are a great teacher and journalist.

[ismaelmedina]

As someone of both Spanish and indigenous Taino ancestry, I've struggled in the past with the thought of being someone from a dead or dying culture who seemingly adopts the culture of the colonizer. Thank you for your reporting and showing us that the indigenous culture continues to live on among the broader Puerto Rican culture and is not forgotten. I think doing this kind of work helps to build that community which Mr. Báez described. I wonder what else can we do to build that community? How can we make sure that the indigenous culture is treated with respect without having to bear the indignity of being treated as a lower form of the culture (i.e.: indigenous words as "slang")? Also, I'd be interested in receiving your posts in Spanish if possible. Thx ✌️

[Sandyparadise]

MY DNA SAYS I AM 68 % INDIGENOUS OF PUERTORICO❤

[nathanieldiazrua]

I love this! I am of Dominican heritage and I have a fascination with the Tainos because we use Taino words every day. Thanks for this!

[mariarosa-hbpc]

I love this video and the information and studies you've done to spread the knowledge of our people. You are extremely talented, never give up! I would also like for you to do a video on Tainos traditional tattoos. I think it would be an amazing topic!

[yesavil]

Thank you for posting this video a lot of PR don’t know/believe Taíno’s still exist.
Love the history lesson good for our youth because the school system and books say we were extinct.
TAÍNO 🇵🇷

[laurafire]

The elders passing down of knowledge and story’s is more true than history books, keep telling your children the truth we are still here, Native Pride! I’m not Taino but I’m Absoroke tribe from the states, my cousin is half Puerto Rican and she taught me about Tainos when we were kids, because her papa taught her. Our grandma made sure we knew out native roots growing up too. Blessings to the Taino people keep the culture alive bring it back strong rep your ancestors, for what they went through they deserve that.

[lmarcel]

Impresionante, ni idea que todas esas palabras que he usado toda mi vida son indigeneas. Gracias por el reportaje

[TerracottaWhirl]

Thank you for being an Honest reliable person of Puerto Rico 🇵🇷