should not be considered in whatever the issue at hand.
I would like to point out that in many cases, those “not of Northern Marianas descent” have lived in the CNMI for 20, 25, 30 years or more (some came over as Peace Corps volunteers) — longer than maybe half of the current indigenous population. Over the years, they have become active participants in the development of the CNMI, as teachers, coaches, judges, attorneys, staff of government agencies, members of the private sector, contributing their fair share to the shape of what constitutes the present CNMI.
These people, not of Northern Marianas descent, have nevertheless made the Marianas their home, have developed a stake in its welfare, have acquired much useful knowledge and experience and in addition, any number happen to have spouses who are of Northern Marianas descent. They are all, it seems to me, also entitled to voice their opinion, to be heard, even if they themselves lack that magic qualification.
RUTH L. TIGHE
Tanapag, Saipan
