Among the issues discussed yesterday were team registration, identification for people who will be involved in organizing and coordinating the events and others that needs to be finalized as the canoe fest is quickly approaching.
The committee has agreed that registration forms be made available at certain places accessible to the public so people can start registering their teams as early as possible.
On the identification part, the committee has scheduled a meeting for all those who will take part in the event to take place on July 14, at which time these volunteers and appointed traditional experts will be briefed to clearly understand their role and function during that time of competitions.
The committee decided to hold a special meeting with available members and the chairman of the Council of Tamol so they could discuss some possibilities of brining in canoes along with teams from all the neighboring islands to take part in the historical event.
To date, the committee has not been able to determine the number of canoes that will participate in the race because of other cultural barriers that makes it difficult to make direct arrangements with those neighboring islands to send their canoes in.
Direct contact with the neighboring islands to bring their canoes in without proper protocol would have been in violation of either one of the customary, cultural and traditional laws of the state.
A brochure, which has been planned for the Canoe Festival, was also being discussed during the meeting.
All members have agreed to get it complete early so that the Yap Visitors Bureau could include that in its promotion during a trade fair slated to take place in Majuro in July and to be followed by another one in Australia.
Aside from showcasing Yap’s unique culture and tradition the brochure will also serve as the Canoe Festival’s event schedules and information guide for off-island guests and other visitors who will be traveling to Yap during that time.
