CNMI Humanities Council plans to overhaul programs in compliance with Trump's anti-DEI directive

By Bryan Manabat

Saipan —  Following a partial reinstatement of its federal funding, the Northern Marianas Humanities Council is compelled to revise its strategic goals to align with President Donald Trump's directives that stamp out all initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.

In dismantling the DEI regime, Trump also rejected preferential treatment based on race or ethnicity, practically negating the existence of an agency whose mission is "to explore the human experiences of the indigenous and diverse peoples of the Commonwealth by enriching their lives through research, dialogue, programs and publications."

The National Endowment for the Humanities recently restored 20 percent of the council's general operating support grant.

“It’s a relief,” said Leo Pangelinan, the council's executive director. “Our biggest concern was how to continue without funding. This gives us a path forward, though it will require some changes.”

Leo Pangelinan

Pangelinan said the council will stretch the funds it has received throughout the performance period, which ends in October 2027.

“The federal government wants to see changes in how we implement the humanities. The executive orders prevent folks from receiving federal funding support (for programs) that fall in line with, like gender ideology and DEI," Pangelinan said.

"It’s so dramatically different from what I think we've been working on as a community. Here in the CNMI, we appreciate diversity and we are more inclusive to those who call the Marianas home,” he added.

The humanities council was notified in April that its NEH funding, totaling $718,638, had been canceled. Such an action was reversed by NEH Chairman Michael McDonald on June 2, “allowing the continuation of approved activities, through the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, without disruption."

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Following Trump’s series of directives to streamline the federal government, cut spending and eliminate DEI initiatives, the NEH canceled grants nationwide to align with the administration’s funding priorities.

Trump also ordered the scrubbing of digital contents that mention Asian Americans, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.

 “We need to study the executive orders and find ways to comply while still serving our community,” Pangelinan said.

The humanities council's traditional focus is to "navigate and explore the human experiences of the indigenous and diverse peoples of the Commonwealth."

Pangelinan acknowledged that the agency can no longer pursue its original strategic goals as planned.

“It can’t be business as usual. We’re rethinking our priorities to reflect the current climate and the uncertainty ahead," he said.

To ensure long-term sustainability, NMHC will launch a fundraising campaign, seeking support from the local community and national philanthropic organizations.

“We’re aggressively seeking community support and forging partnerships with groups like the Mellon Foundation,” Pangelinan said.

The Mellon Foundation recently awarded NMHC $250,000 in emergency funding.

However, part of that funding is contingent on local matching support.

“They want to see local investment in the humanities, which is fair. We need to reduce our reliance on federal funding and build stronger local backing,” Pangelinan added.

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