Sen. Corina Magofna, right, speaks during a meeting with Indigenous Affairs Office Resident Executive Luella Marciano and indigenous advocate, former Rep. Crispin Ogo, at the IAO office in Koblerville on Tuesday.
Contributed photo
SENATOR Corina L. Magofna met with the head of the Indigenous Affairs Office and an indigenous advocate on Tuesday to “strengthen the partnership to advance initiatives that will empower the indigenous population of the CNMI.”
In her meeting with IAO Resident Executive Luella Marciano and former Rota Rep. Crispin M. Ogo, the Saipan senator said they discussed a series of initiatives aimed at preserving and empowering the indigenous people of the Marianas through legislative action and community-driven projects.
These include:
1) A legislative initiative to rename the Indigenous Affairs Office to Chamorro Affairs Office to better reflect its mission to advocate for and serve the Chamorro people.
2) Plans to establish a monument at the ancient Chamorro burial site at the Anuguan village in Garapan to honor and preserve the historical and cultural significance of the sacred site.
3) A project to celebrate Chamorro heritage and leadership by installing a statue of a revered Chamorro chief.
4) Programs to provide direct assistance to the indigenous community. In particular, to develop initiatives that offer tangible benefits, including economic aid, cultural preservation programs, and educational opportunities for indigenous individuals and families.
5) Exploring funding sources, such as grants, to support programs that benefit the indigenous people, ensure sustainability and long-term impact.
In a statement to Variety on Tuesday, Magofna emphasized the importance of these initiatives.
“Our indigenous people deserve recognition, support, and meaningful policies that uplift their rights, history, and well-being. This collaboration is a significant step toward ensuring that their voices are heard and that progress is made in preserving our heritage,” she said.
For her part, Marciano said that “renaming our office to the Chamorro Affairs Office is more than a symbolic change — it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to advocating for our people’s identity, history, and future. We are grateful for the support and partnership in moving these initiatives forward.”
Ogo also stressed the need for urgency in addressing these matters, saying, “by working together, we can ensure that these initiatives are not only introduced but successfully implemented for the benefit of future generations.”
Magofna said their meeting “reinforced a shared commitment to advancing indigenous rights and cultural preservation in the Marianas.”
They plan to conduct townhall meetings in the near future and are looking forward to receiving the community’s thoughts and inputs on their proposed initiatives.
