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Politics and Government

CHamoru Quest for Self-Determination, Fanohge CHamoru Put I Tano-ta: Charting Our Collective Future, Guampedia Resources, Politics and Government

Section 1: Introduction

 

Few issues in Guåhan’s history garner such diverse reactions as the efforts for CHamoru self-determination and the decolonization of our island. Opinions differ on the most viable political status option, who should participate in a political status plebiscite, and whether Guåhan should even continue to pursue a change in its relationship with the United States. Part of the challenge is visualizing what a change in political status would mean for our island’s people.

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CHamoru Quest for Self-Determination, Contemporary Guam: Politics, Fanohge CHamoru Put I Tano-ta: Charting Our Collective Future, Guampedia Resources, Politics and Government

Fanohge CHamoru Put I Tano-ta: Charting Our Collective Future

 

In 2013 Guampedia launched a new section that included twenty new entries and a slew of historical documents that highlighted the major issues, challenges and accomplishments related to Guam’s political history. Initially given the generic title “Guam Governance,” the section eventually was renamed “CHamoru Quest for Self Determination.”

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Civic Society, Guamanian Era, Guamanian Era: Politics, Historic Eras of Guam, Justice, Modern Guam Rises, People, People and Places, Politics and Government

Speaker Joaquin C. Arriola

 

Postwar leader. Joaquin “Kin” C. Arriola (1925 – 2022) was a prominent figure at the forefront of Guam’s legal history. Arriola was one of Guam’s leaders who took part in making the island what it is today. Guam’s current form of limited self-government took decades of vision, calls for justice, and tenacity by local leaders such as Arriola.

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Civic Society, Contemporary Guam Era, Contemporary Guam: Politics, Guamanian Era, Guamanian Era: Politics, Historic Eras of Guam, Modern Guam Rises, People, People and Places, Politics and Government

Speaker Joe T. San Agustin

 

Public servant for more than six decades. Speaker Joe Taitano San Agustin (1930 – 2021) was the epitome of a public servant and a leader in Guam for more than six decades. He was born to Candido Sanchez and Maria Taitano San Agustin of Hagåtña. San Agustin married Carmen Shimizu San Agustin. They had four children, Ann, Mary, Joe, and John.

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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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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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Civic Society, Historic Eras of Guam, Politics and Government, US Naval Era, US Naval Era: Politics

Bill of Rights for Guam 1930

 

Governor Willis Bradley Issues Proclamation. US Naval Governor Willis Bradley created a Bill of Rights for Guam on 4 December 1930 modeled after the first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution. The bill also included the right of writ of habeas corpus and the privilege of voting in local elections regardless of race or sex.

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CHamoru Quest for Self-Determination, Civic Society, Contemporary Guam Era, Contemporary Guam: Politics, Historic Eras of Guam, Politics and Government

Challenge to CHamoru Self-determination: Davis v. Guam

 

Davis v. Guam is a key court case which addresses the question of who is able to participate in the process to determine Guam’s future political status. The case, which was challenged in US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, has far-reaching implications for the future of Guam’s self-determination efforts. 

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