THE National Endowment for Humanities last week rescinded its letter that terminated three grants for the CNMI.
On April 2, 2025, the Northern Marianas Humanities Council received a notice from the NEH terminating three critical grants.
This prompted U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds to ask acting NEH Chairman Michael McDonald to reconsider the decision, which placed the continuation of the programs and services for CNMI at risk.
In a letter to McDonald, she emphasized the importance of the grants in preserving and promoting the Northern Marianas’ cultural heritage through oral histories, educational programs, and cultural preservation initiatives.
She said the cuts “would harm efforts aimed at promoting and preserving our cultural heritage in the Marianas.”
NEH’s notice of grant termination also prompted NM Humanities Council Executive Director Leo Pangelinan to write an open letter, urging the “Friends of the Humanities” to contact elected officials and/or make cash donations to protect the humanities in the Marianas.
In her e-newsletter last week, King-Hinds said “the CNMI received great news that the NEH rescinded one of [its] letters [of grant termination] — allowing the continuation of approved activities, through the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, without disruption.”
She said the NEH further indicated it will issue a partial award to the NMI Humanities Council to fulfill the congressionally mandated minimum 20% allocation for the general operating support grant in fiscal year 2025.
“I remain dedicated to advocating on behalf of our unique culture in the Marianas and will keep pushing to keep our critical funding,” King-Hinds said.
