Culture: ‘Our anchor and sail’

09/01/2025 – Renewing their commitment to both honor, preserve, and celebrate the heritage of the indigenous people of the Northern Mariana Islands, the NMI Public School System has joined the observation of September as Chamorro and Carolinian Cultural Heritage Month, with a proclamation signing at Marianas High School last Friday.

In the proclamation, PSS and the 19th CNMI Board of Education recognized the Chamorro and Carolinian peoples as “the indigenous stewards of the CNMI” whose resilience, knowledge, and cultural practices remain crucial to regional island life.

“This month is dedicated to the celebration and promotion of Chamorro and Carolinian cultural heritage, recognizing the languages, values, customs, and knowledge systems passed down through generations,” the proclamation reads.

For PSS schools, the designation means promoting cultural performances, storytelling, traditional crafts, and foodways in classrooms, cafeterias, and campuses throughout September. Teachers are being encouraged to weave heritage themes into lessons, while students are expected to take the lead in showcasing dances, chants, and other expressions of identity.

The proclamation was signed by student representative to the Board of Education, Vinnie Juan Quitugua Sablan, a symbolic gesture underscoring the role of youth in carrying indigenous cultures forward. During the signing ceremony, Sablan shared, “When I think about culture, what immediately comes to mind is our language, our stories, our music, and our practices. That’s what reminds us of who we are as people. And whether you’re Chamorro or Carolinian or any other ethnicity, that kind of shapes our identity as people and that’s why today is super, super important. The fact of the matter is that our Chamorro and Carolinian heritage is on a slow decline. Right? I don't think that that's an opinion, I think it's more of a fact. It's something that I'm pretty sure everybody in this room, no matter your age, has observed here living on our islands. And us being here today shows that we're willing to fight, right, to preserve who we are as Chamorro and Carolinians here in the Marianas. And for me it's more than just that, right, it's about our future, our future generations. It's about my kids and them being able to, even if it's just a little bit, speak a little of our language, understand it, sing our songs, share our stories, and keep our traditions alive. So that's why today really matters, right, because it's a reminder that if we really share it and we live our culture and who we are, and we pass it on, that we can preserve the Chamorro and Carolinian heritage, right, we are able to safe-keep it. And so thank you again for all being here today, and let's continue to celebrate our culture.”

PSS Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Camacho, who was also in attendance for the signing, shared, “When we come to celebrations or we come to an event that gets proclamations, if you will, whatever, we ask ourselves what's the real bottom line, right, what is the reason, so the why. And for me, the why is we come to celebrate together as a community, as a people, we come to celebrate this rich history, the rich traditions, the culture, the heritage, and the beautiful languages that we have for both the Chamorro and Carolinian.”

“Today we are here to really kind of reflect back and also thank our ancestors who persevered through the times and really made sure that they passed on a rich and wonderful way of life for us to now truly enjoy and appreciate and benefit from.” He shared that while English is the medium of instruction, the Constitution mandates the preservation of heritage through public education. The goal is to shape graduates who not only succeed in life but also identify with their cultural roots, respect diversity, and take responsibility for sustaining the CNMI’s community and environment. 

He said that ultimately, PSS aims to develop future leaders who, like their ancestors, will preserve and pass down knowledge for generations to come. “So I want to thank our teachers who are in the classroom day in and day out making sure that the standards are there for providing our students a quality educational opportunity to learn the language of Chamorro and Carolinian. And no matter what kind of student they are, they will hopefully one day be able to appreciate who we are and identify as that type of person, right, who comes from this beautiful place. Now, thanking our teachers and all those that are involved in making sure that not only do we have this type of event, but each and every day, each and every hour when we are in the classroom space, our students are thriving because they're learning to be the Chamorro and the Carolinian and all the other types of folks that they are, together working as a community and celebrating a beautiful place that we live in.”

He also gave a shoutout to the Youth Congress: “They're very serious when it comes to really getting down to business and making sure that we preserve the Chamorro and Carolinian heritage. And so we appreciate that. We want you to continue to be charged with fighting for that. But at the same time, just know that we are here to support you as well in your endeavor as you progress through that process. So thank you.”

The ceremony’s keynote speaker was floor leader for the 20th CNMI Youth Congress, Senator Ayden Sean Camacho Yumul. In his remarks, he shared that although there has been a gradual loss of culture and traditions, he still holds hope in the resilience of the Marianas. “Many proclaim that with modernization all around us, we will continue to lose our customs and cultures each and every day. But, there's a but. Here in the CNMI, and the way I see it, and for our Chamolinian culture, that is simply not the case, and it will not be the case. Unlike what is predicted, our resilience and Mariana's pride has proven these statements wrong by the countless efforts of the individuals in our commonwealth and in this very room today. Starting with my colleagues in the Youth Congress, we have continued to support and push legislation that enhances our cultural enrichment and promotes our Chamolinian cultures in our schools and our homes. My colleagues and I look forward to attending numerous events and workshops in the future that will help us provide the necessities in order to help protect our culture for the youth. To the CNMI Public School System for putting this issue at the very forefront of their matters. For the real heroes who reside inside the classroom, our CCLHS teachers... You help ignite the fire for my fellow students to pursue the knowledge of our Chamolinian culture and traditions.”

With the dozens of high school and middle school students in attendance, many involved in cultural dance groups, Yumul said, “...to my fellow youth in this room, thank you so much for tending to your fire and keeping your fire alive.” He shared, “This is why we celebrate. This is why today is a celebration. This is why September is a month for Chamorro and Carolinian Heritage Month. This is what makes our month so meaningful. Not only to celebrate our heritage, but to celebrate our efforts in the fight to keep our cultures and values alive. These values live on in our dances, our music, our arts, and our storytelling. They are not museum pieces. They are living expressions that adapt, grow, and still guide us today in our daily lives. Our culture is both our anchor and our sail.”

Report by Chrystal Marino