Saipan Farewell
July 25, 2023
Saipan Farewell
From the Māori,
First we thank the canoe
Who brought us
Second, we thank the sky, earth, air,
For life
Third, we thank our ancestors,
Our memory
Fourth, we thank the people present
Fifth, we thank the future generations.
“If you want people to build a canoe, first take them to the sea.” Tim Tingle, Choctaw
What a gift to journey back to Saipan, to be surrounded again by the sea, to explore the hidden histories in its caves. And what an experience to listen to the many different voices, hear the stories, and see through different eyes, together, with a learning community of teachers who care.