CNMI Indigenous Affairs Office

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MISSION: Practice, Promote, Preserve, Perpetuate the Indigenous Languanges and Cultures of CNMI

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Community Outreach

The Indigenous Affairs Office is involved in various Community Projects to promote the Chamorro and Carolinian culture.

IAO with Linala Initiative delivering treats from the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor to our children that are here stationed with their parents who are on medical referral to Saipan from Luta yan Tinian.

This is the 27th Nippon Domannaka Festival. CNMI continues to promote our cultural dancers for both Chamorro and Carolinian to participate in this event.

This year marks our 24 years of participation. 2 decades ago Pacific Development Inc., PDI and Nippon Domannaka organizer Mr. Mizuno connected Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc CCVI to create a goodwill cultural exchange with Nippon Domannaka Festival.

Confirmation was made Saipan would be celebrated during the 4th of July and Nippon Domannaka in August..

24 years later we contnue to forge the goodwill friendship through cultural dance and in the same spirit we share our history off 80 years of peace in the Pacific. We the people on behalf of Governor David Apatang also extended an invite to all of Nagoya to come and visit Saipan Tinian Rota Northern Marianas Island home to our CNMI Domatsuri Dancers.

Thank you Mayor, Chairman Nippon Domannaka and organizers for the continues successful exchange.

In the beginning, the Goodwill relation was under the IAO, CAO, PDI and CCVI under the late Vic Igitol leadership, part of the village concept cultural exchange. That’s why it’s called CCVI Domatsuri

Chamorro, Carolinian dancers represent CNMI at major Nagoya festival

27th Domannaka Festival 1st Night Opening Night

IOA CALENDAR

Inspire our Youth. Empower Their future.

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Saipan

Friday, 18 August

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NOTICE

Guma Higai

Experience the Guma Higai, traditional Chamorro huts located at Civic Center Beach. Great way to spend the day by the beach.

Make reservations today.

Hall of Fame

Coming Soon!

Go to HOF Page

About IAO

The CNMI Indigenous Affairs Office (IAO) was established in June 1985 through the 2nd Constitutional Convention.

Find out more

ABOUT US

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About Indigenous Affairs Office

The CNMI Indigenous Affairs Office (IAO) was established in June 1985 through the 2nd Constitutional Convention. Article III Section 23 of the CNMI Constitution tasked the Resident Executive with the responsibility to:

- coordinate the development, distribution, adoption, and translation of a comprehensive history of the Marianas.

- ensure local participation in executive managerial decisionmaking in the government and private sector.

- assist and promote local entrepreneurial development.

- establish a community foundation for the advancement of the indigenous people.

- coordinate the translation and distribution of such official documents as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Covenant and the analyses thereof.

- plan for the establishment of the Indigenous Cultural Center and the Indigenous Hall of Fame.

- coordinate an annual cultural festival.

- develop and implement a longrange plan to assist and promote the entry of the indigenous people into professional and technical institutions of higher education.

- serve as an advocate of positions taken by indigenous people on issues brought before them.

CNMI Indigenous Affairs Office

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Community Outreach

Chamorro, Carolinian dancers represent CNMI at major Nagoya festival