FamilySearch and NCIP Partner to Preserve Oral Histories of Filipino IPs

On August 9, 2024, FamilySearch International and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to initiate a collaborative effort with local government units and Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) aimed at preserving the rich oral histories and genealogies of the Philippines' indigenous populations.

The signing ceremony was part of the annual celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IDWIP) and National Day of Indigenous Peoples (NDIP), which was themed “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.” The event took place at the Ardenhill Suites in Quezon City.

The MOU's signatories included Michael Colemere, Senior Vice President at FamilySearch, NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, and NCIP Executive Director Mervin Espadero.

The implementation of the Oral Genealogy Project will follow a structured approach with key milestones to ensure thorough engagement and collaboration with the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).

The first phase involves presenting the project to all NCIP Regional Directors for their acceptance. Once accepted, the project will be introduced to participating tribes, who will need to formally approve the initiative through a community resolution. This step is crucial to securing the commitment of the tribes, with FamilySearch International and the NCIP working closely with the Regional NCIP offices to facilitate this process.

Following the adoption of the community resolution and with the concurrence of the Regional NCIP, a tri-partite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be signed by three key parties: the tribe, FamilySearch International, and the Regional NCIP. This agreement formalizes the tribe's participation in the project and outlines the responsibilities of each party.

Once the MOA is in place, the contractors can officially begin their work with the tribe, marking the commencement of the project's on-the-ground activities to document and preserve the community's oral genealogies.

In his address, Colemere expressed FamilySearch International’s enthusiasm for aiding indigenous Filipinos in recording and preserving their oral family histories, ensuring that the names and stories of their ancestors endure for future generations.

“We consider this a landmark and unprecedented project because of its purpose, extent, and magnitude in documenting and preserving oral genealogies in the Philippines. This pioneering effort will address the need to gather and record the largely undocumented stories and genealogical accounts of the more than 110 indigenous cultural communities in this country,” he said.

“FamilySearch International is thrilled to help make your country’s historical records available on appropriate government and archive websites at no cost. We will assist in capturing, digitizing, and providing an online solution for citizens to discover their family records—whether written or recorded audibly,” he added.

NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las emphasized in her interviews with local media the importance of collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders in building a future where “heritage is preserved, voices are heard, and rights are respected, especially for ICCs/IPs.”

Oral genealogies are recognized as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. In many countries where written records are scarce, oral traditions serve as the primary means of preserving history. FamilySearch began recording oral genealogies in the 1960s in the islands of Polynesia and has since extended this effort to more than a hundred countries, including the Philippines.

In the Philippines, many ICC/IPs rely heavily on oral tradition to pass down genealogical information. This reliance makes it challenging to maintain accurate records over generations, often resulting in the potential loss or distortion of information. The scarcity of written records, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, further complicates the accurate tracing of lineage.

Moreover, many ICC/IP communities are situated in remote areas with limited access to digital technology and the internet, hindering their ability to store and preserve genealogical records electronically.