Some guidance from the Legislature, please
CNMI Cultural Day sailed through the Northern Marianas without leaving a wake.
There was not a single message in either of today’s local papers from any member of the CNMI Legislature regarding the meaning or intrinsic value of this CNMI annual government holiday.
In the very near future, the governor’s Historic Preservation Review Board will be called upon to advise him on the status of and need to properly curate and store the remains of 600-some ancient Chamorros that have been recovered from the prehistoric Saipan village of Anaguan over the last 20-some years.
It would be helpful if the board could receive some guidance from the Legislature, in particular a commitment to fund the construction and management of a facility to properly curate, store, and display these priceless artifacts. There are Community Development Block Grants that can be used for this purpose.
Don Farrell
Tinian Representative
CNMI Historic Preservation Review Board
Dismissiveness is a new culture piled atop permissiveness where we display the grand attitude of saying one thing while, yes, doing nothing! So much for the heritage of these islands. Flush it baby!
Don, this is the most ludicrous public statement coming from an official of the CNMI HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE. In the first place you should have not vote to approve the continued DESECRATION of our Ancient Chamorro Ancestors Burial ground! What you guys should have done since 2004 and on March 10, 2015 during your board meeting is TO FINISH THE RECOMMENDATION PROCESS OF ANAGUAN to be included in the NATIONAL REGISTRY OF HISTORIC PLACES under the National Parks Service as mandated under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. This should have been done; and MUST BE DONE LIKE YESTERDAY!
And you are asking “some guidance from the Legislature…” What, are you folks suffering from mental amnesia? The Speaker of the House, Jose Deleo Guerrero was the DIRECTOR OF HPO when you folks approved the first DESECRATION in the 1990s. The funding should come from Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC., Best Sunshine International CNMI, Scientific Consulting Services, Inc. (Dr. Michael Dega), Swift, Harper & Fleming Archaeological group; personal & professional capacity of DPL Secretary Pedro Agulto Tenorio, DCCA Secretary Laura Ogumoro, State HISTORIC Preservation Officer Mertie Towai Kani;AND the notorious HPO ADVISORY BOARD members, starting with you as the former Chairman, Jose Limes, Pedro Duenas, Elizabeth Diaz- Rechebei, Dr. Kurushina, and other board members who participated to approve to desecrate this SACRED site.
So, now you guys are coming out after 20 years of elusive activities at HPO! You folks kept our over 300 Ancient Chamorro Ancestors in locked rooms for 20 LONG YEARS?! I am not sure which word to use to describe this gross event in our history. This act against our people is unacceptable at all levels- Local, National and in the International community. TAYA RESPETU ESTA Para i Man Amko ta yan i Man Mo’fo’na na man Guelu yan Guelata.
About your funding recommendation, the block grant should be used by the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE to prosecute this case. This is a CRIME against our Ancestors… their SILENCE will be deafening in the end because JUSTICE will be served.
And don’t even come up with another pathetic recommendation to reinter them elsewhere. If anyone needs to move out from ANAGUAN, it should be Best Sunshine’s “Grand Mariana Hotel & Casino.” BURY BACK ALL 600 of our ANCESTORS to their place of rest at their village. They are the rightful owners of these lands that we have had the privilege to enjoy, and benefit from.
“OUR HERITAGE US NOT FOR SALE!”
Peace!