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The future of the indigenous people of the CNMI
Iam a 19 years old Carolinian-Palauan-Chuukese. I’d like to think that I’m funny, witty and somewhat intelligent—I shall be attending nursing school at NMC. For all of my self-assured wide-awakeness, I’m somewhat confused as to my/our future as the indigenous inhabitants of these beautiful islands. Therefore, I’m asking for your help or input in assisting me to clear my confused mind.
The other day while at the post office, I overheard a “white American” speaking with another American guy (I don’t mean to sound rude or racist) and he was saying, “Well, yeah the Chinese companies are gentrifying this island—after the locals sell their land, they’ll be in poverty.” Now I didn’t know what “gentrifying” meant at that time, so I asked my friends and a lot of them didn’t know either so I looked it up on Google. (You should, too).
Anyway, I began thinking about what our local politicians are doing to “us”—the indigenous future of these islands. I began to wonder: how could they allow foreign companies to come here and over-develop, pollute and cement over our once beautiful islands. How could they care more about the ever increasing population of foreign workers yet do nothing to train local workers or to make sure that U.S. citizens are employed first. How could they make a deal with foreign companies that give foreign employees housing, meals and transportation yet forces local families out on the streets due to a lack of affordable housing, inflated food prices, and inflated gas prices. Lastly, how could our politicians worry so much about contract workers families while our indigenous American families are forced into destitution, poverty and subjection by foreign companies? Can anyone of you on Capital Hill tell me what your plan is for the future of “us”—the indigenous people of these beautiful islands?
Jasmine Taman
Gualo Rai, Saipan
