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.
