Why did IÅN/ASF choose to work on publishing a directory of healers and resource book on traditional medicine?
A. Publishing a directory of CNMI traditional healers, and the book serving as a resource material on CNMI traditional medicine, is one formal way that the IÅN/ASF can: 1) Give respect and honor to our indigenous traditional healers for their knowledge and valuable contributions to our island communities, 2) Bring back the awareness of CNMI traditional healing practices to all our indigenous populations, especially to the younger generations, and with this awareness, economic and health benefits will continue to be available to all, and 3) Help with the identification of traditional medicinal plants so that all generations (especially the younger generations who are the future decision makers for our Commonwealth) can continue to make knowledgeable, wise and valuable decisions concerning traditional health benefits for its indigenous citizens, and so that CNMI medicinal plants can be known/identified easily and protected continually for generations to come in the CNMI.
