Our mission is to support community projects which foster the individual’s understanding and appreciation of the humanities. The Amerika Samoa Humanities Council has served the American Samoa community for almost two decades. On our website, we hope to give you a bit of history, and some understanding of the different programs that we offer. Please feel free to contact us if you’re interested in more information. After all, the Humanities will always bring us closer to the world of ideas. The Individual of Yesterday and Today will Enrich the Individual of Tomorrow O le Tagata o Ananafi ma le Asō e Fa’atamāoaigā le Tagata o a Taeao

Programs  History Day  Teachers’ Summer Institute  Children’s Reading  National Month Recognition  Radio and TV Program  The 100 Women of American Samoa  We the People Project – A History of American Samoa  We the People Project – Pictorial Atlas

Regrant Projects  Futiga Methodist Youth – “Utilizing 21 st Century Technology” -making simple and inexpensive floral arrangements for church and house decorations -elei, uluuluina (mending) le toga -re-upholstering old furnitures -learning how to read “notes” and teaching church music -kolosē  Vailoatai CCCAS Youth – “Siva Samoa Moni” -teaching proper Samoan dances -learning the words/lyrics of songs that should go together with the movements of the whole body.  ‘Au Uso Fealofani Fagatogo Methodist Church  ASCC – Book Writing based on Historical Sites in Fagatogo

Grants  Development and Planning Grant  Guidelines and Forms  Major Grant  Mini Grant  Resource Center Grant

About Us  Chairperson, HC Faiivae Iuli Alexander Godinent  Vice-Chair, Dr. Fa’auma Se’ui  Secretary, Dr. Oreta Togafau  Treasurer, Dr. To’afa Vaiaga’e  Delegate At Large, Mr. Leo’o Va’a Ma’o  Rev. Dr. Si’ulagi Solomona, Member  HTC Fau’a’a Kataferu Pita Elisara, Member  Mrs. Christine Groshe, Member  Mrs. Va’asa Simanu, Member STAFF: HTC Tauaisafune Niualama Taifane, CEO Ekitoa M. Sopoaga, Program Officer Alfred Tinitali, Information Technician and Development Officer Leutuva Pala Lokeni, Fiscal Officer / Secretary

ASHC Supports All Humanities Issues What are the humanities? The humanities can be described as the study of the myriad ways in which people, from every period of history and from every corner of the globe, process and document the human experience. Since humans have been able, we have used philosophy, literature, religion, art, music, history and language to understand and record our world. These modes of expression have become some of the subjects that traditionally fall under the humanities umbrella. Knowledge of these records of human experience gives us the opportunity to feel a sense of connection to those who have come before us, as well as to our contemporaries.

Cont’d Why are the humanities important? Insights Into Everything  Through exploration of the humanities we learn how to think creatively and critically, to reason, and to ask questions. Because these skills allow us to gain new insights into everything from poetry and paintings to business models and politics, humanistic subjects have been at the heart of a liberal arts education since the ancient Greeks first used them to educate their citizens. Understanding Our World  Research into the human experience adds to our knowledge about our world. Through the work of humanities scholars, we learn about the values of different cultures, about what goes into making a work of art, about how history is made. Their efforts preserve the great accomplishments of the past, help us understand the world we live in, and give us tools to imagine the future. Bringing Clarity to the Future  Today, humanistic knowledge continues to provide the ideal foundation for exploring and understanding the human experience. Investigating a branch of philosophy might get you thinking about ethical questions. Learning another language might help you gain an appreciation for the similarities in different cultures. Contemplating a sculpture might make you think about how an artist's life affected her creative decisions. Reading a book from another region of the world, might help you think about the meaning of democracy. Listening to history course might help you to have a better understanding of the past, while at the same time giving you a clearer picture of what the future holds.

Cont’d Who’s involved in the humanities? Not Just for Professors Many people who study the humanities are not only professors at colleges or universities, they are also students, independent scholars, authors and artists. Humanities Research - Raising Questions  Professors in the humanities are often associated with their teaching, which is an important part of their work; but they also conduct research and publish their findings in academic journals and books.  Whether written for a small academic community or for a broad public audience, humanities research maintains the common purpose of contributing to an on-going dialogue in an area of study. Unlike scientists, humanists are interested in raising questions, rather then providing absolute answers.

Why do we have to learn history?  Why is it important for us to re-learn what our forebears have used and practiced many years ago to lead their lives the way they did?  Why were rules and regulations established in the first place within in our and/or in any other cultural setting? -e.g., in Samoa you are not supposed to eat or drink and walk around in your village, in your own home, and anywhere else like your in your church… -’Aisea e sa ai ona so’ona ‘e’e se tagata i totonu o se nu’u, aiga, ma so’o se isi lava nofoaga? -’Aisea e tatau ai ona iloa e le tama po’o le teine ona ava ma fa’aaloalo i so’o se tagata i totonu o le aiga, nu’u, ma le ekalesia, ma so’o se isi lava nofoaga?

What do you think would happen to us if we fail to properly learn our own history? …What is your take on this important question? Happy landings with your studies throughout this school year? Alofa’aga o le Amerika Samoa Humanities Office

Contact Us, Let’s Connect  Our office hours are from Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4pm  P.O. Box 5800, Pago Pago, AS Phone: (684) / 4871   