This is the web page of the Tekesta Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Florida, which is the incorporated educational and cultural agency associated with the Taino peoples of Bimini. It welcomes people of Taino heritage living in Florida to join in order to acquire greater understanding and appreciation of their heritage.

1. The Tekesta Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Florida, Membership Application

(A) The prospective member should send a typewritten introduction letter that states an interest in membership and indicates why the applicant seeks to join the corporation.

Mail this introduction letter to:

Tekesta Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Florida
1555 W. 44th Place, Apt. #253, Hialeah, FL 33012

(B) Upon receipt of the introduction letter, a membership form is mailed back to the prospective member. This membership form will tell you what you can expect as a new member of the corporation.

(C) The Membership Application should be filled out, signed, and then mailed back to the Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Inc. The application should be accompanied with a $25.00 check made out to the The Tekesta Taino Band of Bimini, Inc. to cover the annual membership due for the current year, and by four 1" x 1" color photos.

(D) This completed application is then submiteed to the Taino Organizational Membership Review Committee.

2. The Taino Organizational Membership Review Committee

(A) Application is reviewed by Membership Review Committee, and, based solely on the answers provided by the prospective member, it decides whether the applicant

1. is of Taino Native American blood.
2. is willing to abide by the organizational rules.

(B). If the applicant is not of Native American indigenous heritage,

1. is the applicate willing to promote the issues of the indigenous people through an international educational and cultural exchange, and is the applicant willing to abide by the rules of the organization?
2. If so, the applicant is accepted as a Guaitiao (adopted member).

(C) If the applicant is accepted as a Natiao (Blood Brother) or Guaitiao by the board of the Membership Review Committee, a full Membership Package is sent to the new member.

(D) If the prospective applicant is not accepted by the organization,

1. A letter of explanation is mailed back to the applicant.

Please note: Becoming a member is a Tribe-granted privilege, not a right! All new members are placed in a three-year probationary period before they acquire the offical membership card issued by The Tekesta Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Inc. Membership in the corporation does not imply that you are a member of the Taino Tekesta Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Florida, itself. The Taino Tekesta tribe is not governed by the Board of Directors of the Taino Tekesta non-profit corporation.

3. The New Membership Application Package

The application package mailed to the new member will contain:

1. the Tekesta Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Inc. Bye-Laws;
2. the Tekesta Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Inc. Charter;
3. a membership picture ID card (for tribal members only)
              (Signed by the President and Secretary of the Council);
4. and a Letter of membership signed by The President of the Tekesta Taino Tribal Band of Bimini, Inc.