The Guam Preservation Trust offers Ekungok i EstoriÃ¥-ta (Listen to Our Stories), an online resource for teaching about Guam’s historic sites. These 10 treasured stories of significant historic sites on Guam are told in CHamoru, both in narrative and song, as the goal of this project is to provide opportunities for teachers to use a variety of teaching methods for place-based learning.Â
Compassion and Solidarity of the Heart: Journal Reflections. In this lesson, students will begin to explore the concepts of compassion, solidarity, and the value of the interrelatedness of all humanity through their study of historical pieces to include tools, artifacts, sketches, drawings, paintings, photographs, music or films from a variety of Guam’s historical periods available through links in Guampedia. Students maintain a journal of new learnings throughout the year. Length of Journals and evaluations are according to individual teacher’s preference or needs.
This film project encourages students to deeply engage with Guam’s cultural heritage by visiting the island’s historic sites, talking to people, and using various resources to gather information about places with cultural or historic significance in Guam. In addition, students will be able to critically discuss issues surrounding historic sites and the importance of historic preservation.
This film project encourages students to engage more deeply with Guam’s cultural heritage by visiting the island’s historic sites, talking to people, and using various resources to gather information about places with cultural or historic significance in Guam. In addition, students will be able to critically discuss issues surrounding historic sites and the importance of historic preservation.
Research and Reflect on Guam’s Quest for Self-Determination. The United States began its colonial administration of Guam in 1898. Today, more than 120 years later, Guam remains a colony of the US as an unincorporated territory. Because of this colonial status, the island and its people lack full self-government and guaranteed civil rights afforded to other US citizens.
The United States began its colonial administration of Guam in 1898. Today, more than 120 years later, Guam remains a colony of the US as an unincorporated territory. Because of this colonial status, the island and its people lack full self-government and guaranteed civil rights afforded to other US citizens.
The United States began its colonial administration of Guam in 1898. Today, more than 120 years later, Guam remains a colony of the US as an unincorporated territory. Because of this colonial status, the island and its people lack full self-government and guaranteed civil rights afforded to other US citizens.
For many CHamorus, the 1950 passage of the Organic Act seemed a welcome reward after a long drive for self-government and US citizenship. But doubts about the rights and powers afforded by the Organic Act arose very soon after its passage. Although the island received civil government, some Guam leaders argue that the island continues to lack self-government due to the complete oversight powers that the US Congress maintains over Guam. The US citizenship granted by the Organic Act has also been questioned, as residents of Guam cannot vote in US national elections as other citizens do, and the US Constitution that defines and guarantees civil rights does not necessarily apply to Guam.
The passage of the Organic Act of Guam created a civil, or non-military, government for the island, thus ending the Naval and Post War Eras. With the establishment of a civilian government and congressional US citizenship for the people of Guam through the Organic Act, the President of the United States selected the individuals, usually along party lines, who would serve as the territorial governor.
As the island entered into a postwar reconstruction period, the two leading causes of conflict between CHamorus and the Navy were land and employment. Many CHamorus found themselves losing land as the US military seized roughly two-thirds of the island’s landmass for military use. Additionally, CHamoru laborers were subject to discrimination in the workplace as they earned only one-fourth the pay rate of American laborers performing identical jobs. US citizenship and self-government were seen as a way CHamorus could prevent further land alienation, job discrimination, and other inequities.
