In recognition of their exceptional impact on the humanities in the CNMI, six remarkable individuals were honored at the annual Governor’s Humanities Awards. The celebration, hosted by the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, brought together Governor Arnold I. Palacios, the Humanities Board of Directors, and Executive Director Leo Pangelinan to acknowledge these inspiring contributions.
This year’s recipients are:
🔹 Dr. Theresa “Isa” Arriola for Research and Publications in the Humanities
🔹 Elsie San Nicholas Johnson for Outstanding Humanities Teacher (in a Classroom Setting)
🔹 Jonas M. Barinas for Outstanding Humanities Teacher (in a Non-Classroom Setting)
🔹 John S. Castro, Jr. for Preservation of CNMI History
🔹 Dina Kaliga for Preservation of Traditional Cultural Practices
🔹 Don Farrell for Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities
In his remarks, Governor Palacios emphasized the importance of honoring the past while shaping the future, noting how the council has provided a platform for artists, writers, and cultural advocates to share and expand the narratives of the Chamorro, Carolinian, and other ethnic communities.
