Indigenous Affairs Office conducts money management workshop for children

THE Indigenous Affairs Office, in partnership with Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services, is conducting a workshop that teaches children how to manage their money and how to be financially independent.

IAO Resident Executive Roman Tudela Jr. said a two-hour workshop was held on July 30 with about 20 children, 9 to 13 years old, participating.

Tudela noted that some indigenous youth have started earning money through cultural presentations. “This is the best time for them to save money and we are here to teach them,” he added.

Rep. Luis John Castro, who is also the creative director of Simiyan Manaina-ta, said he has asked the group’s members to attend the next money management workshop.

“Learning how to manage money or being financially independent is very important,” he added.

IAO project manager Cris Ogo said the money management workshop has been going on for years now, but it was only recently that they partnered with NMC-CREES.

The schedule and venue for the next workshop will be announced soon.

Ogo said each workshop can accommodate 20 children and each participant will receive a piggy bank so they can start saving money.

For more information, call the Indigenous Affairs Office at 664-2664.