NMI presentation one the highlights of National Humanities Conference

The Northern Marianas Humanities Council represented the CNMI at this year’s National Humanities Conference held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from Oct. 25 to 29.

The conference gathered humanities leaders from state and federal levels and leading scholars and historians from throughout the United States and its territories. The delegation was led by the council’s chair Dr. Bobby Cruz, executive director Leo Pangelinan, and board members Marjorie Daria and Leni Leon, with NMHC staff Naomi Tudela and Leeani Villagomez. They were supported by the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Humanities recipient Siñot Donald Mendiola and Joeten-Kiyu Public Library executive director Erlinda Naputi and librarian Beth Demapan.

The NMHC brought greater visibility as the sole Pacific Island featured session at the national event, presenting “Indigenous Values Driving DEI: The Powerful Lesson of Inafa’ Maolek and Tipiyeew.”

The presentation explored the intersection of indigenous identity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), calling for the promotion of indigenous values to sustain authentic DEI efforts and overcome unconscious and implicit bias.

Facilitated by Cruz and Daria, the session was among the most well attended session of the conference, with many attendees boasting that it was a conference highlight. Among the attendees was Shelly C. Lowe, chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities, appointed by President Biden.

Cruz shared, “It was powerful to hear that our work inspired so many scholars, historians, and leaders and gave them insights about the powerful lessons our Marianas culture has to offer the world. It was an important project for us because it allowed us to reflect on our own values and present a framework for DEI from a Pacific Island lens. Often, we look to the West for these examples. This time, we looked inward and brought our beliefs to our brothers and sisters across the nation. It was a proud moment of voice and visibility for our indigenous people of the Marianas.”

Cruz also shared that this is just the start of more representation. “Our people of the Marianas have more lessons to share with the world. These lessons are powerful truths that the world needs to hear. So, our participation again is the continuation of our effort to elevate CNMI representation in spaces at that level.”

Another historic moment during the National Humanities Conference was the launch of the first convening of the Pacific Islander Humanities Network (PIHN). In September 2023, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded supplemental grant funds to Amerika Samoa Humanities Council, Hawai’i Council for the Humanities, Humanities Guåhan, and Northern Marianas Humanities Council to establish and support a regional network for Pacific Island councils to engage in collaborative activities focused on knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, elevating Pacific Island voices in the nation, and work on shared humanities interests and issues. The PIHN is scheduled to meet biannually over the next three years at annual National Humanities Conference sites and within each of the four Pacific Island council jurisdictions. The first convening agenda focused on building community among participants, exploring shared heritage, and introducing concepts for establishing a permanent governance structure for the network. The next convening is scheduled during the 2024 Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture in Honolulu, HI.

“I am truly grateful for NEH Chair Shelly Lowe’s commitment to elevating our Pacific Island voices, interests, and needs. The NEH Pacific Islands Cultural Initiative requires regional engagement and I’m excited for the opportunities to leverage the work and best practices of cultural leaders and practitioners from across the U.S. Pacific jurisdictions and Pacific Islander diasporas within the nation,” said Pangelinan. (PR)