American Samoa - Government

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States. On April 17, 1900, the Chiefs of Tutuila and Manu'a ceded our islands and gained alliance with the United States of America.

The American Samoa Government mirrors the administrative structure of the Federal Government. The government is divided into three branches: Executive, legislative, and judicial. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor head the executive branch and are elected to four year terms. The legislature, or Fono, consists of two houses: the Senate, selected by each matai (village chief) and the House of Representatives, elected by the general population. The judicial branch is part of the U.S. judicial system. American Samoa has a non-voting representative to the U.S. Congress.

The territorial Seal of American Samoa was designed to incorporate those aspects of traditional Samoan culture that are most dear to our people.
The motto "SAMOA IA MUAMUA LE ATUA" is translated, SAMOA, LET GOD BE FIRST." This illustrates the importance by which Samoans continue to integrate the church into so many aspects of their every day lives. The fue or the fly switch, represents wisdom, while the To'oto'o or staff represents authority. Both symbols are used by talking chiefs indicating their tank. The Tanoa (ava bowl) represents service to the chief, and is used during the Ava Ceremony, one of the highest and most formal aspects of the Samoan Culture. The Tapa cloth background represents the art and clothing of traditional Samoa.