From left, first row, Humanities Council Executive Director Leo Pangelinan, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang.
THE Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang proclaimed October as Humanities Month at the San Vicente roundhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
According to Humanities Council Board Chair Gin Smith, this year’s theme is “Weaving Cultural Narratives.”
In her remarks, Smith reflected on how a diverse island community could “weave” its experiences.
Lenny Leon, board member of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, blows a kulu at the start of the proclamation signing program on Wednesday.
“Let us listen to the narratives that shape our worlds — both those from indigenous Pacific Island cultures and from non-indigenous traditions,” Smith said. “In doing so, we can create a more interconnected and empathetic world.”
She called for creating “inclusive spaces” that “blend the collective wisdom of Pacific Island traditions with non-indigenous identities.”
For his part, Humanities Council Executive Director Leo Pangelinan explained the role that the council plays in the community.
“We use the humanities to design projects that encourage critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and reflective practices to help each of us navigate complex issues in our lives,” Pangelinan said.
Community members join the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang in proclaiming October as Humanities Month.
He said the humanities involve a wide range of subjects that include, but are not limited to, the study of human culture, literature, history, languages, arts, and much more.
“The Humanities Council uses the lens of one or more of these academic disciplines to explore the experiences, values, and the many ways in which groups within our community express themselves,” he said. “This work allows us to preserve and promote our island cultures, languages and traditions, fostering cohesion and a sense of identity and belonging in our community.”
To that end, the Humanities Council has supported cultural scholarly research and has conducted research projects of their own, Pangelinan said. The council has also facilitated civic and “sometimes difficult conversations” to “enhance our understanding of cultural heritage and ideas that are relevant and accessible to everyone.”
In celebration of Humanities Month, the council will host the following community events:
• Oct. 11 — Sengebau Poetry Competition at the American Memorial Park Visitor Center.
• Oct. 19 — Digital Preservation Lab at the Humanities Council office. This an opportunity to learn how to preserve archival records. Space is limited. Email roberto@nmhcouncil.org for more information.
• Oct. 24 — The launching of Edward Pangelinan’s book, “Legacy of a Political Union,” which records his “thoughts and journey toward negotiating a Covenant to Establish the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America.”
