Refaluwasch Pápáál200 Maram7 About This Calendar

This Refaluwasch Lunar Calendar features the winning entries for the Mariana Archipelago Ecosystem Poster Contest from students of the Commonwealth of the Northern (CNMI).

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council conducted the contest in October 2005 to raise public awareness about archipelagic ecosystems and ecosystem-based management. The Council is amending its current species-based fishery management plans into place-based fishery ecosystem plans (FEPs). The insular fisheries in federal waters surrounding CNMI and will be managed under the Mariana Archipelago FEP. Traditional knowledge and wide community involvement are integral parts of the ecosystem-based approach to fishery management.

This calendar is based on the contributions and advice of several experts in Refaluwasch traditional knowledge. A special olomwaay to Lino Olopai for his assistance with this project. We also thank Lawrence J. Cunningham and Manny Sikau at the University of Guam, Dave Omar at the Chamorro and Commission, and the Council’s CNMI On-Site Coordinator Jack Ogumoro for their advice and support.

The Refaluwasch, along with the Chamorro (or CHamoru), are the indigenous people of the Mariana Archipelago. The first Refaluwasch to settle in the Marianas came from and Elato around 1815 or 1816. There have been subsequent migrations from all the islands of the Central Carolines. Refaluwasch is an official language of the CNMI along with English and Chamorro.

The moon rise and set times are in Chamorro time for the island of , from data from the US Naval Observatory as provided online at http://aa.usno.navy.mil/ CNMI winners of the Mariana Archipelago Ecosystem Poster Contest Grades K-2 1st Benikina Ann Aqulto Lizama (Eskelan San Francisco De Borja) 2nd Angela Cruz (Grace Christian Academy) 3rd Julian Pellegrino (Whispering Palms School) Grades 3-5 1st Mark Caacbay (Oleai Elementary School) 2nd Rita Grace Maya Duenas Delavellano (Oleai Elementary School) 3rd Yoneil P. Maniacop (Oleai Elementary School) Grades 6-8 1st SoJung Song (Saipan Community School) 2nd Joseph Martin (Saipan Community School) 3rd Love Dela Rosa (Grace Christian Academy) Grades 9-12 1st Arwin Piamonte (Marianas High School) 2nd Samylyn Atali ( High School) 3rd Cheyenne Songsong (Rota High School)

Special thanks to those who contributed to the CNMI contest JUDGES: Qamar Schuyler, Pete Itibus, Richard Seman, Lino Olopai, and Mike Tenorio. SPONSORS: Chamolinian Cultural Center, Continental Airlines, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, Pacific Islands Club, Pelley Boat Charters, Saipan Ice & Water Company, Saipan Sea Venture, Xtreme Marine Sports. Benikina Ann Aqulto Lizama • Grades K-2 • Eskelan San Francisco De Borja

Angela Cruz • Grades K-2 • Grace Christian Academy

Julian Pellegrino • Grades K-2 • Whispering Palms School

Mark Caacbay • Grades 3-5 • Oleai Elementary School

Rita Grace Maya Duenas Delavellano • Grades 3-5 • Oleai Elementary School

Yoneil P. Maniacop • Grades 3-5 • Oleai Elementary School

SoJung Song • Grades 6-8 • Saipan Community School

Joseph Martin • Grades 6-8 • Saipan Community School

Love Dela Rosa • Grades 6-8 • Grace Christian Academy

Arwin Piamonte • Grades 9-12 • Marianas High School

Samylyn Atali • Grades 9-12 • Rota High School

Cheyenne Songsong • Grades 9-12 • Rota High School

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Phone • (808) 522-8220 Fax • (808) 522-8226 Email • [email protected] http://www.wpcouncil.org

Northern Mariana Islands contacts: Council Member and Vice Chair Ignacio Dela Cruz Secretary, CNMI Department of Land & Natural Resources Phone • (670) 322-2438

Council Member Benigno Sablan Email • [email protected]

Council On-Site Coordinator Jack Ogumoro Phone • (670) 322-9830 or (670) 287-9482 Email • [email protected]