Assessment Team Welcomed With An ʻAva Ceremony

Three representatives of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) arrived Monday night to visit the Territory to work alongside with the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council on ways to expand and to improve Humanities programs in American Samoa. Their visit would complete the process of developing ASHC’s plan for the next five years. Several members of non-profit organizations in the community and individuals will be spending time this week to talk with the team on their experience in working with the local Humanities Council.

Council President HC Fai’ivae I. A. Godinet and Board Members welcomed our guests with an official Ava Ceremony that was held on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, at the Fale Samoa, Malae o Suigaula in Utulei. The Honorable Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and some Department Directors also joined the President and Board Members in welcoming Mrs. Kathleen Mitchell, Mrs. Pam Snow, and HC Fepulea’i John Mayer. The team will be returning on Friday, July 25.

The Vailoa CCCAS Youth conducted the Ava Ceremony and gracefully performed traditional songs and dances. The event concluded with the presentation of sua and souvenirs to our off-island guests and local dignitaries. President Fai’ivae and Board Members are very humbled with the continued support and patronage from our government leaders and our community for the last 20 years.

Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Mrs. Mauga will host a dinner on Thursday night at their government residence on behalf of our off-island dignitaries and members of the Humanities Council.
As we were celebrating this memorable occasion in American Samoa, we were also remembering the confirmation of Mr. William “Bro” Adams in the U.S. Senate for the post of the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Congratulations to Chairman “Bro”.

We also had the privilege and the honor to celebrate the birthday of a very dear friend through the Humanities – Mr. Dennis Mitchell on the same day. Happy Birthday Dennis!!
The Amerika Samoa Humanities Council is the proud local affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

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