MPLA seeks complete listing of NMI descents

The Marianas Public Lands Authority launched yesterday the long overdue Northern Marianas Descent Registry, which aims to be the sole comprehensive list of all indigenous people.

During a brief ceremony held on the sprawling greens of Coral Ocean Point, Gov. Juan N. Babauta proclaimed September as Northern Marianas Descent Registry Month and urged concerned individuals to register with MPLA.

Article XII of the CNMI Constitution defines a person of NMI descent as one who is a citizen of the United States and who is at least one quarter Northern Marianas Chamorro and/or Carolinian blood. An adopted child of such an individual also qualifies as a person of NMI descent, if he or she was adopted while under the age of 18 years.

A person is considered to be full-blooded Northern Marianas Chamorro or Carolinian if that person was born or domiciled in the Northern Mariana Islands by 1950 and was a citizen of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands before the termination of the trusteeship with respect to the Commonwealth.

“This historic project of MPLA principally aims to reinforce the strength of the indigenous by encouraging our people to register and be counted to protect our resources, to preserve our cultures and traditions, and to defend our heritage,” said MPLA commissioner Edward Deleon Guerrero.

Patterned after the Native Hawaiian Registry, the Northern Marianas Descent Registry can be used to determine whether a person is eligible to receive a homestead, whether a person can own land in the Commonwealth, and whether a person can vote on any proposed amendment to Article XII of the Constitution.

Deleon Guerrero added that the registry could also be used to determine whether a person is eligible to receive educational, medical, housing, or other indigenous assistance or programs created by the Legislature.

“In the near future, if you are registered, you may take advantage of discounts and other benefits from various businesses who choose to be our partners—similar to the ‘Kama’aina Rates’ offered to eligible Hawaiians in Hawaii,” said Deleon Guerrero.

Individuals interested in registering must bring a copy of their birth certificate and passport and visit the MPLA office on Saipan, Tinian, or Rota. Registrants will be asked to fill a registration form and an MPLA staff member will then issue a Northern Marianas Descent ID card.

However, current homesteaders, who have already had their NMI descent status verified, need only to bring a photo ID to register.

Those living abroad may also register at the MPLA website: www.mpla.gov.mp.

Northern Marianas Descent ID cards will only be issued to those 16 years or older.