To serve in advisory capacity to the Governor on matters affecting people of Carolinian descent. Review applications of government policies and the availability and quality of government services. Investigate complaints and conduct public hearings regarding matters affecting Carolinian descent and may report findings and recommendations on these matters to the governor. Recommend items for inclusi
on in the proposed annual budget, review the budget before the its submission by the governor to the legislature and recommend amendments to the budget relating to matters affecting persons of Carolinian descent. It is our mission to develop programs and provide services to protect, promote and preserve the welfare, culture and traditions of the indigenous Carolinian's, CAO envisions and empowered Carolinian community who recognize their indigenous rights as set forth by their culture, the constitution and laws and who proudly exhibit their culture by speaking the language and practice their customs and traditions. Furthermore, CAO aims to increase the number of self-sufficient members of the Carolinian Community. The Carolinian's are on of only two indigenous people in the CNMI. Census there about 4,230 Carolinian's in the CNMI which makes up 9% of the total population of 47,329. The census was not able to capture those Carolinian's who intermarried with other ethnicity but are of CNMI Carolinian descent. Our office has reached out to the Carolinian Community to inform them of issues affecting them and also inform on the availability of programs that they may avail. CAO has been actively assisting not only the Carolinian community but also those who are in need of or would like to avail of the services and programs provided by our office. Since 2015, the CNMI has been scourged with natural disasters, from Typhoon Soudelor to Super Typhoon Yutu and the ongoing affects and adversities of the current COVID19 Pandemic and its continued mutation. Our community in general has faced drastic challenges caused by all these natural disasters and pandemic causing many of our services to our people and community to be re-evaluated in their process as protocols develop and change every so often. However, having said that, our community service at CAO has but come to a halt, by approaching matters on a proactive attempt and utilizing technology to bridge the gap and reach our people. The CAO saw an increase of clients needing assistance on benefits new to our community and programs as delivered through this pandemic and the US Congress and Federal Government. In 2017, CAO was awarded 441,815.00 through a competitive grant from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) for three years. Towards the end of FY 2020, the program was extended as a direct result of COVID19. By the end of 2020, CAO opened up the Matawal Wòòl Display Hall which exhibits products from the activities under the Tepengi Kkosch Refaluwasch/ Caring for our Carolinian Culture Program.
