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Modern Guam Rises

Art, Art, Architecture, Body Adornment, Music and Food, Civic Society, Contemporary Art, Contemporary Guam: Education, Creative Expression, Education, Language, Modern Guam Rises

CHamoru Comic Strip: Juan Malimanga

 

“Juan Malimanga” is the first comic strip in local print news that is written completely in the CHamoru language. The comic strip, originally written by Clotilde Castro Gould and illustrated by Roger Faustino, centers around humorous observations and adventures of the character Juan Malimanga. Despite its continued publication in the Pacific Daily News (PDN), the origins of this iconic comic strip signaled a landmark victory in efforts to overturn the controversial language policies of print media on the island of Guam. 

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Civic Society, Contemporary Guam: Education, Education, Guamanian Era: Education, Modern Guam Rises

Guam’s Bilingual/Bicultural Program

 

The Chamorro Bilingual/Bicultural Program began on Guam in 1970 as a five-year test program run by the Guam Department of Education to promote the use of the CHamoru language in public schools on Guam. It served as the precursor to the CHamoru Studies Department, which continues to operate in the Guam Department of Education. This program marked the first time the CHamoru language was officially used in classrooms in the Mariana Islands. 

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Civic Society, Guamanian Era: Politics, Modern Guam Rises, Politics and Government

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in Guam

 

For Guåhan’s neighboring Micronesia islands, their designation as the United Nations’ Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) under US administration was their pathway to self-determination and decolonization. Though the process was fraught with controversy, each of these islands self-determined its current political status. In contrast, Guåhan, also a US territory, played several key roles in administering the TTPI, including hosting its headquarters for nearly a decade and serving as a model in some ways for TTPI administrators. Yet, Guåhan has not had a clear path to self-determination and decolonization and remains a US colonial possession.

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Contemporary Guam: Politics, Guam's Villages, Guamanian Era: Politics, Heritage Sites, Modern Guam Rises, People and Places, Politics and Government, Post WWII Era: Politics, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

The Fight to Keep Tumon Public

 

Tumon Bay has a lengthy history and special significance for the CHamoru people whose ancestors lived and thrived in Tomhom (Tumon) area for millennia, establishing sizable villages, such as Ipao, Tomhom, Naton, Gokña, and Fafå’i. The richness of their lives there are attested by the imprints of pole and thatch structures and numerous other artifacts from the Pre-Latte era (3,500-4,000 years ago to AD 800-900) as well as abundant archeological evidence from the later Latte era (AD 800-900 to 1700s), including numerous sets of latte pillars, pottery shards, fish hooks, lusong mortars, and slingstones.

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Modern Guam Rises, Sports and Recreation

History of Guam’s Parks and Public Spaces

 

Public beaches, parks and other open spaces are such a major part of people’s lives on Guåhan, it may feel as if access to them has always existed. On these community lands, people celebrate birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and family get-togethers; people walk their dogs; search for shells, fish, swim, and snorkel; we spend hours hanging out with friends or admiring seascapes.

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Justice, Modern Guam Rises

History of the Guam Courts

 

Current Court system of Guam set up in 1950. All nations operate under a system of laws that generally direct how people live, work, do business, recreate, worship or engage in any other kinds of social interactions. Laws necessarily help societies and governments maintain order. Laws, however, need courts in order to help interpret and apply laws, particularly when individual parties, government units, or businesses are in conflict or dispute. Courts help resolve these disputes. They also uphold limitations to government and protect citizens from abuse. They protect rights, including those of individuals who cannot protect themselves.

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Modern Guam Rises

VISTA Program in Guam

 

Focused on community development. Fifteen VISTA volunteers came to Guam 12 November 1967 on Pan American Airlines with the general goal of assisting with community development. The volunteers were recruited from across the United States to serve a one year contract. They were sponsored by the Guam Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).  Twelve of them had prior VISTA experience. In all, there were five men and 10 women, including three married couples, with ages ranging from 19 to 61.

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Civic Society, Governors, Governors of Guam, Historic Eras of Guam, Modern Guam Rises, People, People and Places, Politics and Government, Post WWII Era, Post WWII Era: Politics

Governor Charles Alan Pownall

 

Last appointed military governor of Guam. Governor Charles A. Pownall (1887-1975) served as naval Governor of Guam from 30 May 1946 to 27 September 1949. In the aftermath of World War II and the Japanese Occupation, he was the first postwar US governor and also the island’s last appointed naval governor.

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