HUMANITIES IN ACTION

Listening to the Marianas as we reflect on our past, present, and future.

7 conversations | 3 islands | 61 participants

From January through April 2026, the Northern Marianas Humanities Council convened seven small-group conversations across Saipan, Tinian, and Luta, bringing together students, cultural practitioners, artists, elders, educators, knowledge holders, and other community members to reflect on the Northern Mariana Islands’ relationship with the United States.

The conversations took place during a significant commemorative year. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the Northern Mariana Islands also marks fifty years since the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States became U.S. Public Law in 1976. Rather than approaching that history only through documents, dates, or formal political narratives, A250 Community Talks asked people across the islands to consider what that relationship has meant in their own lives and communities.

The conversations were deliberately reflective rather than deliberative. Participants were not asked to reach consensus, solve a problem, or debate opposing positions. Instead, facilitators created space for listening, questioning, exchanging experiences, and considering different perspectives on cultural resilience and adaptability, identity, self-government, cultural heritage, and the histories and futures shared across the Marianas.

Luta ・January 21

11 students from Dr. Rita Hocog-Inos Sr. High School

Facilitators: Queayla Sablan and Lynn Tenorio

Tinian ・February 3

6 students from Tinian Jr./Sr. High School

Facilitators: Dolores Cabrera and Lynn Tenorio

Saipan ・February 20

7 community cultural practitioners

Facilitators: Bryan Manabat and Catherine Perry

Luta ・February 23

4 community members

Facilitators: Queayla Sablan and Lynn Tenorio

Tinian ・March 9

6 community members

Facilitators: Bryan Manabat and Catherine Perry

Saipan ・March 19

9 community members

Facilitators: Bryan Manabat and Catherine Perry

Saipan ・April 9

18 students from Marianas High School

Facilitators: Bryan Manabat and Catherine Perry

In Their Words

At the conclusion of each conversation, participants were invited to reflect on the experience and share what stayed with them. Their responses offer a glimpse into the questions, memories, and perspectives that emerged when community members were given space simply to listen and talk with one another.

Creating Space for Conversation

Si Yu’us ma’åsi’ and ghilisow to Catherine Perry, Dolores Cabrera, Bryan Manabat, Queayla Sablan, and Lynn Tenorio for facilitating these conversations. Their work helped create welcoming spaces in which participants could share experiences, encounter different perspectives, and reflect together.