The Past Weaving the Future Project: Passing on Traditional Knowledge throughout the Republic of the Marshall Islands

The Historic Preservation Office (HPO) and WUTMI’s Weaving Project consisted of four components: 1) Locate Master Weavers; 2) Conduct a Workshop on Traditional Weaving; 3) Train participants to become “Skill Docents”; 4) Development of Weaving Portfolios. WUTMI first identified two Master Weavers, Mrs. Kiop Leon of Arno Atoll and Mrs. Belleri Annam of Mejit Island, who then led two weaving workshops at WUTMI’s 2nd Annual Meeting in 2007. One Workshop focused on making a type of Marshallese sitting mat called a Tclao, and the other workshop focused on making baskets, or Iep. The workshops were one week long, and each participant learned how to weave and finish the product taught in the workshop. As the participants of the workshops continue to practice and build their weaving skills, WUTMI hopes that they become “Skills Docents” to their communities. In addition to the workshops, two manuals, or “Toolkits,” were created, listing the materials used to make these products (one Toolkit is for making Tolao, and the other is for making Iep), as well as providing step-by-step instructions on how to weave them. These Toolkits will be duplicated and distributed as the final part of this project. In addition to the workshops and Toolkits produced for the Tolao and Iep, WUTMI staff worked with trainees at Wa in Aelon in Majel (WAM) to create an additional tool kit providing the steps and materials necessary to produce a Marshallese canoe sail are included here

Compilation of agreements between the government of the United States and the freely associated state of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The Federated States of Micronesia appears as signatory on some agreements.Mode of access: Internet

Memorandum of intent concerning : terms on which the agreement regarding military use and operating rights of the Government of the United States in the Marshall Islands concluded pursuant to section 321 and 323 of the Compact of Free Association (Muora) will be extended.

Mode of access: Internet