“I have been very fortunate to have received tremendous support from my family,” she said. “Archeology is, as many have argued, not among the revered career choices, but I have found it to be otherwise.”
Archaeology is the study of ancient cultures through the examination of their material remains – buildings, tools, graves, and other artifacts – to develop an understanding of a people.Ngirmang said her interest in archaeology stems from her love of the Palauan culture and the history of its people.“I am now part of an effort concerned about cultural resource management and historic preservation of heritage sites,” she said.“I hope, through my studies, to be able to contribute to the management, protection, and preservation of known and yet to be discovered historical and heritage sites in Palau.”Ngirmang applauds the efforts of Bureau of Cultural Affairs and hopes that Palau would stand firm in the protection and preservation of cultural and archaeological sites and that it would somehow find its seat within the Micronesia Challenge.Ngirmang said that, as a voting member of the Society of Hawaiian Archaeology and as a graduate student of the University of Hawaii, he participation at the conference was eminent. In addition, it provided her with an opportunity to make a presentation in front of 130 conference participants – ranging from undergraduate students of UH Hilo, graduate students, archaeologists from varying private organizations, state governments, and national agencies, and other distinguished professionals.She said the theme for this year’s conference was “230 Year Post-Contact!” The conference offered constructive insight regarding cultural resource management battles in the Hawaiian Islands as well as the Pacific region – including Palau. Further, through the various presentations, updated information about programs, projects, and other opportunities currently available was accorded everyone.“Cultural resource management offers an awareness of our traditional cultural heritage-in an archaeological sense-that stand for sustainability and sensitivity towards cultural and archaeological antiquity,” Ms. Ngirmang said.Ngirmang gave a brief presentation of the history of archaeological studies in Palau since the 1950’s.“Palau is experiencing the same issues as Hawaii,” Ngirmang said.“We may not realize the impact today; however, the adverse effects of development are inevitable. I believe that our human antiquities are as equally valuable as our environmental ecosystem and must be protected. Archaeology is, I firmly believe, is the key.”Ngirmang is currently working with the House of Delegates’ Committee on Resources and Development. She works as an intern with Vice Speaker Noah Idechong. She plans to continue her studies in Australia in the fall of 2009.She has taken time out of school to work in Palau as part of her Palau National Scholarship award arrangement.“I am, technically, not totally out of school,” she said. “I have been learning so much from my current job and hope to teach an introductory course of archeology at Palau Community College in the Spring 2009.”Ngirmang credits her mentor, Dr. Peter Mills, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, UH Hilo, for his continued support – including accommodating her at the conference.“Next year July 2009, Palau is hosting the Pacific Island Archaeology in the 21st Century: Relevance & Engagement Conference, I will be a part of; and I hope to see some familiar faces that I acquainted with in Hawaii,” she added. “The conference next year has potential to bring the awareness of archaeological studies to the frontline of Palau’s agenda and hopefully spark interest amongst people, particularly the youth, to see archaeology and other fields of studies as relevant as law and medical fields.”Sunny Ngirmang is the granddaughter of the late Mirair Gabriela Ngirmang of Koror State. Her trip to Hawaii was made possible by the support of her family and by the Society for Hawaiian Archaeology.
