One of the greatest treasures of our Nation is the Smithsonian Institution which was founded over 150 years ago for the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” It was in that spirit that on January 9, 2012, the anthropologist and Smithsonian’s Curator of Oceanic Ethnology, Dr. Adrienne Kaeppler, invited Micronesian culture specialist and artist, Bestina Benjamin Hagberg and her husband, Erik Hagberg who also shares her passion for the preservation of Pacific Island cultures, skills and customs, to visit the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum archives of the Polynesian cultures of Micronesia.
During the visit of the archives in Washington, DC, Dr. Kaeppler shared the collection of Micronesian artifacts, some of which were donated to the Smithsonian during the 19th century. It was an opportunity to share with Bestina Benjamin some of the ancient designs and techniques used by her people in the creating of traditional artifacts, which are at risk of disappearing. Bestina is one of the leading progenitors of her culture and is committed to passing Polynesian traditions onto the next generation.
Erik Hagberg, the PaPa’s Director of Pacific Island Programs, also donated to the Smithsonian, a traditional Nukuoran canoe carving to be included in the vast collection of Polynesian arts and crafts. During their visit to the Smithsonian, they were joined by the Panamerican-Panafrican Association’s Executive Director Henri Polgar and Associate Director, Lisa McFarren-Polgar, who are supporting the Hagbergs in the establishment of a Polynesian Cultural Center in Micronesia.
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