The Naga in the US: Naga American Foundation meets for 2016

A community of Naga persons in the United States, the Naga American Foundation (NAF), held their ‘2016 conference’ in Syracuse, in New York on July 8 and the 9^th .

The Syracuse conference, the 15^th of gatherings organized by the NAF, was hosted by Chris and Khati Prosonic of Solvay, New York, a press release from the group issued to the media on Wednesday stated.

Over 100 individuals from across the United States attended this year’s event, marking the largest NAF conference attendance since the organization’s founding over 25 years ago.

Dr. Kilangla Yanger, research scientist at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, and Wungram Shishak, a policy analyst, at the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in the US Department of State in Washington, were keynote speakers at the conference.

Dr. Yanger spoke of how her work as a stem cell scientist mirrors the experience of Nagas in America. “Studying organ regeneration I see certain analogies with my work and NAF’s cultural goals,” she said. “Whether the Nagas in the US were born here or in Nagaland, we’re all somewhat cut away from our native homes and hence trying to regrow (sic) as a community in this new environment.”

Members of the NAF seen here in this handout issued to the local media on July 13, Wednesday.

Also, Shishak talked about his path to working for the US government, and emphasized the “necessity of not giving up in the face of obstacles.”Both speakers recounted their upbringings in Nagaland, and stated the value of being rooted and connected in community, particularly for the Naga population in the US.

Other events during the conference, the press release stated, included a ‘bazaar featuring Naga items,’ exhibitions of photographs and artwork by Kaikho Paphro and Sano Ramos; musical performances by Naga groups from the states of Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Illinois, as well as ‘several meals with a wide variety of Naga cuisine.’

The NAF board also conducted its business meeting at the conference and announced that its next conference will be held in Felton, California in 2018.The board noted the appointment of Ms. HoniliSema,Director of Women’s Ministry atCityteam in San Jose, California,as the new president of the NAF, a position held byMr. Meyi Aier of Plainfield, Illinois, for four years. “I am very happy to see so many Nagas here [in the conference],” Mr. Aier said. “I am hopeful that we will continue to see growth in these gatherings.”

“Thanking everyone for attending the conference, Ms. Sema acknowledged the hosts, Chris and Khati Prosonic. Hosting an event like this takes tremendous effort,” the press release stated.

The group stated: “Chris and Khati have gone above and beyond to make this gathering a huge success. Ms. Sema also described how Sid and Asangla Abrol and their children, who live in Rochester, New York, drove 90 miles to attend the final conference dinner after learning about it through WhatsApp just two hours before it began.”

“This just shows how connected we are as Nagas. Even in a country like the United States, we can so easily, and without any hesitation, come together as one community.”

The press release was appended by Justin Aier, secretary of the Naga American Foundation.

(Al Ngullie, July 13, 2016; Eastern Mirror)

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