Malia Angelica Ramirez (1951-2024)
The first time I met Malia in person was at the 2016 Festival of Pacific Arts on Guåhan. Prior to that I only knew of her writings on the CHamoru family clan names/nicknames and her published series of articles in the Guam Tribune Panorama specials.
Opening day of 2016 FestPac on Guåhan at the Canoe Ceremonies
Malia was a very hard person to contact via email. It took me a while to contact to her when I first asked her to be a guest speaker at one of my genealogy workshops for FestPac in 2016. I was so elated when she agreed. After all, she really did not know me so I’m pretty certain about me she had her reservations. But when it comes to CHamoru genealogy she would never refuse!
So again, I reached out to her to speak at the 2022 CHamoru Genealogy Workshop on Guam and then again for the recent 2024 CHamoru Genealogy Symposium . She asked me if there was anything in specific she would like me to talk about. I told her about the themes.
I really don’t like being specific about what my fellow CHamoru genealogist speak about. Malia had tons of experience and knowledge, so I knew whatever she chose to speak about, it would be well received, and people would listen and learn from her. I personally have been documenting some of her work and lessons learned from her. I know I still have a lot more to do in learning more of what she has contributed to CHamoru genealogy.
2016 Festival of Pacific Arts: CHamoru Diaspora Project (Seminar)
2022 CHamoru Genealogy Workshop & Exhibit
2024 CHamoru Genealogy Symposium
When I last spoke with her last month at the Symposium, she honored me. She told me that she liked what I was doing. What some people don’t know, was that she was hospitalized for a few weeks and just got released a few days before the Symposium. I called her and told her to just rest and forgo the Symposium. But no, she was determined to speak and share her genealogy journey with the participants. We are definitely of kindred spirits!
Our people and CHamoru genealogy are blessed with her legacy, what she had shared with us, and so shall it be for many generations to come!
La Sangri Yama (The Blood Calls) Articles
Later, published as one of her books.
CHamoru Family Clan Names/Nicknames
