Governor Benigno R. Fitial and the Northern Mariana Islands Council will recognize significant contributions to the humanities during the 2009 Governor’s Humanities Awards ceremony to be held on 30 October.
The awards program is an annual event, undertaken in conjunction with CNMI Humanities Month in October, to recognize outstanding contributions to the humanities by individuals, organizations, groups and institutions.
According to the Council’s acting executive director, Scott Russell, awards will be presented in five categories: Research and Publication in the Humanities; Preservation of Traditional Cultural Practices; Outstanding Humanities Teacher (both classroom and non-classroom settings); Preservation of CNMI History; and Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities.
Russell said that the most prestigious award – Lifetime Achievement – will go to a nominee who has made significant contributions in the humanities over multiple decades. He stated that this award may be given posthumously.
The Council is currently reviewing nominations and will formally announce their selections during the Governor's Humanities Awards Dinner to be held on the evening of 30 October. The time and venue will be announced.