An Obituary for Cinta Kaipat
Obituaries on Saipan tend to focus on listing the recently deceased's parents, siblings, and other close relations, without providing much more information about a person's life. Maybe some day I'll write something about the deeper meaning in that, but today I'm mourning for my friend Cinta. I want the world to know what she meant to me, and what she meant to our community. Although these things don't typically get written for our people, I'm breaking with convention and writing an obituary for my friend Cinta. Cinta was born on Agrigan and grew up with a strong connection to her culture and heritage. She was a passionate and courageous advocate for Indigenous Refaluwasch and Chamorro rights and environmental protection in the Northern Mariana Islands. She dedicated her life to fighting for justice, dignity, and sovereignty for her people and her land. Cinta overcame social and economic obstacles and obtained her BA from DePaul University and her JD from the...