The Northern Marianas Descent Corp. has come up with the idea to create an indigenous cultural center\u2014at the current site of the American Memorial Park<\/p>\n
House Bill 20-109, as proposed by Rep. Alice Igitol (R-Saipan) to establish an Indigenous Cultural Center and Indigenous Hall of Fame, was brought up at the NMDC meeting last Tuesday.<\/p>\n
After much discussion, meeting participants voted to explore the idea of establishing the cultural center on the American Memorial Park site.<\/p>\n
Saipan Tribune archives quote Indigenous Affairs Office resident director Roman Tudela as saying that the establishment of a cultural center is essential in regaining the identity of the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinians for future generations. <\/p>\n
NMDC board member John Gonzalez said the idea is still subject to further discussion in future meetings. \u201cWe will be discussing this further to get more feedback,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Gonzalez said that many of the NMDs present at the meeting raised a proposal to reclaim public lands that originally belonged to the NMDs like the American Memorial Park. <\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the proposals they want on the table is to reclaim the public lands that are rightfully owned by us [NMDs],\u201d said Gonzalez. <\/p>\n
The plan is to discuss the proposal with the federal government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose of Northern Marianas descent [want] to negotiate reasonably and rationally with the federal government, who is currently renting and leasing that property, and take it back and build the cultural center,\u201d Gonzalez said. <\/p>\n
According to him, the goal is to build the best possible cultural center for the indigenous Chamorros and Carolinians. <\/p>\n
The center should embody, promote, and preserve the indigenous culture and the American Memorial Park is the perfect area to establish a cultural center that meets the criteria because the area is centralized and right by the ocean.<\/p>\n
\u201cGone are the days where we remain quiet and are very accepting of decisions. We want to be proactive,\u201d said Gonzalez. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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