Håfa Adei!
For the upcoming 12th Festival of the Pacific Arts in 2016, we have assembled a Chamorro Diaspora Project team to conduct a Chamorro Diaspora Seminar during that event as part of potentially a long-term pilot program to collect, present, and preserve the stories of diasporic Chamorro people and their families residing outside of the Mariana Islands. We are excited to reach out and invite each and every one who may be interested in submitting biographical summaries of people and families of Chamorro descent.
Within a biographical summary, we suggest some of the following information be included if possible/known:
- The person’s name and family name (clan name if known too)
- Which village and island the person/family originates
- Accomplishments while at home
- When did the person/family emigrate?
- What was the impetus for leaving?
- Accomplishments while away from home?
- How many generations/descendants since the person/family’s arrival?
- Name, phone number and email of person submitting the biographical information
The list above is not all inclusive of what may be included. Again, part of the intent is to convey and record stories of the Chamorro diaspora for future generations to come and we would like for you to tell the story in your own words. If you need help, we will be more than happy to assist you in writing the story.
We would also appreciate it if the biographical summaries are accompanied by historical and present day photographs to help depict the story. We anticipate the biographical stories and media received will be publicly published, so please be aware of this prior to submitting any information to this Chamorro Diaspora Project team. Currently, we envision submitting and filing copies of this project with the Micronesian Area Research Center, Guam Department of Chamorro Affairs, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Humanities Council, and the Chamorro Roots Genealogy Project.
Please submit all biographical summaries and photos via email to:
Si Yu’os Ma’åse ginen i Chamorro Diaspora Project Team:
Bernard Punzalan
Mario Borja
Patricia “Trish” Shook
Vicente “Vince” Diaz, Ph.D.
Keith Camacho, Ph.D.
Jaynina Smith Prince
