Exploring the Role of North Sulawesi's Local Culture in Shaping National Identity and Character Education Among Students

Using the literature review method, this study investigated how the culture of North Sulawesi functioned as a source of national identity and a foundation for character education in students. According to research conducted on a number of indexed scholarly journals and articles, local values such as mapalus, karai, gratitude, and multiculturalism shaped students' character to be national-minded, tolerant, and moral. Emphasis was placed on efforts to integrate local culture into the secondary school curriculum as a way to enhance the identity and morals of the younger generation. In this regard, previous research results showed that local culture not only represented symbolism; when used as a pedagogical tool, it also helped to cultivate character. The findings indicated that local culture was not just a symbol of identity but also an effective pedagogical instrument in shaping national character.