Marciano receives overwhelming support at confirmation hearing

Retired teacher Luella Ichihara Marciano received overwhelming support from many people in the community during a confirmation hearing yesterday for her appointment as resident executive of the Indigenous Affairs Office.

Among those who testified before the Senate Executive Appointments and Government Investigations Committee to support Marciano’s nomination are former lawmaker Christina M. Sablan, Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan), John Oliver Gonzales, Department of Labor Secretary Leila Staffler, Gary Sword, Pete Perez, Emma Perez, and Gordon Marciano.

Those who opposed Marciano’s appointment are couple Richard and Liana Hofschneider.

Marciano thanked Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang for trusting her to lead the Indigenous Affairs Office.

Marciano said when she received a call from Palacios 62 days ago to be exact, she did ask governor if he was really sure that he wanted her to lead the Indigenous Affairs Office.

“I was enjoying retirement. And I do miss having that coffee time with my husband. But when you receive a call, especially from the governor, you ask yourself, how can we help our governor? How can we help our people?” she said.

Marciano said she told herself to get in there.

“So, I am here. I am reporting to assist one of our offices under the Palacios-Apatang administration,” Marciano said.

Marciano said it is worth reflecting on the work of the 2nd Constitutional Convention delegates and their hopes to ensure that the history, language, cultures, and practices of those Northern Marianas descent, the Chamorros and the Carolinians, would be uplifted and preserved for the generations to come.

“That at its core is a function of the Office of Indigenous Affairs,” she said.

Marciano said the resident executive and his/her staff must work to preserve the Chamorro and the Carolinian cultures.

She said, on the other hand, they must work to advance the aspiration of the Chamorro and Carolinian peoples.

Marciano said though the history of the islands is a history of Chamorro and Carolinian, they cannot forget those from other lands who have settled on the islands, who have made the islands their home, who work here, who contribute to the communities in valuable ways.

“We now have indigenous people who are a mix of parentage and I honor their stories as well,” she said.

Marciano said though the Office of Indigenous Affairs will always prioritize the indigenous people of these islands, the Office will also be open to working with all the people of the Marianas, partnering with other ethnic groups to ensure that “we are lifting as we climb.”

Marciano holds an Associate of Arts degree in education from the Northern Marianas College, a Bachelors of Arts in education from the University of Guam, and masters of education from Farmington State College.

Former lawmaker Sablan said she has always known Marciano to be a natural leader, problem solver, a very organized administrator, a dedicated longtime educator and truly passionate about public service, taking care of community and preserving and promoting the cultural heritage.

“I see her as really the perfect person who can bring both cultures together and bring unity and healing and their community and collaboration,” said Sablan, who is the special assistant for the Climate Policy and Planning Program.

Sablan said she has no doubt in her mind that Marciano will continue to serve the community well.

Richard Hofschneider said Marciano was a candidate in the House of Representatives under the Democratic Party, and that with his political history is not in the best interest of the Chamorro people to lead this office if she is confirmed.

Hofschneider said the nominee is not qualified with the tasks and the huge constitutional duties and obligation to effectively carry out the best interests of the indigenous population.

He urged Palacios to withdraw the nominee from this appointment, but with her educational and experience appoint her to work in another capacity.

“We need someone that can appease and balance the interests of the Chamorro people and the community of the CNMI,” Hofschneider said.