THE Carolinian Affairs Office believes it is the right of Department of Public Safety-Boating Safety Lt. Henry Emery Kaipat to speak in Carolinian or Refaluwasch language during a recent House hearing.
In a letter to Rep. Celina R. Babauta, chair of the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations or JGO, CAO Executive Assistant John Henry I. Tagabuel said after watching the hearing on YouTube and “receiving countless calls regarding concerned Carolinians in the community, I feel that it is my duty, as executive assistant of Carolinian Affairs, to raise our concerns.”
Tagabuel said the drafters of the CNMI Constitution “recognized the significance of protecting the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian languages in order to preserve our cultures and traditions.”
Tagabuel added, “During the hearing, although Lt. Kaipat was allowed to utilize the services of Mrs. Florence Kirby, who was recognized as a ‘check translator,’ it was noticed that she was never [advised] by the committee or given the opportunity to translate or interpret anything.”
“Most of the hearing…was focused on whether or not the statements should be translated for Lt. Kaipat, which [caused] it to veer away from your actual agenda, for which he was summoned,” Tagabuel said in his letter to Babauta.
“His character as a police officer and as a non-English speaker was questioned. The questions that were asked seemed to be degrading and insulting to the Carolinians listening in and watching the hearing,” he added.
The hearing itself seemed like it was about establishing Kaipat’s ability to speak and understand English, even though he requested to testify in Carolinian, Tagabuel added.
“Knowing in advance that he had requested to testify in Carolinian, the committee was not prepared and did not afford him his request, as they did with Mrs. Mathilda Rosario. Madam Chairwoman, please understand that Lt. Kaipat is adhering to the committee’s request. We should be mindful and respectful of his contributions and services to the community for almost 30 years as a law enforcement officer and not try to ruin his reputation just to gain information for the committee’s satisfaction,” the CAO chief said.
He noted that at the conclusion of the hearing, the members of the committee shared their concerns and opinions on what had transpired.
“It sounded as if Lt. Kaipat and his attorney were at fault for prolonging the hearing or wasting time and turning the hearing into a circus, when all he wanted to do was practice his constitutional right, to speak his native language, Carolinian, during the hearing. This is a very serious and sensitive matter,” he said.
“Madam Chairwoman, September is our annual Chamorro and Carolinian Heritage Month Celebration. We respectfully request that you set an example for our youth and community, and provide Lt. Kaipat the ability to speak his native language and have this entire hearing be translated or interpreted. As indigenous people, we are slowly losing our language, culture and heritage to satisfy others, but it will be great if this committee sets precedence for our entire community and hopefully, moving forward, pass laws that will support and encourage our people to speak their native tongues.”
Variety was unable to obtain a comment from the committee which is looking into the public expenditures of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
