How the Mariana Islands were Separated
A 1752 map of the Mariana Islands by P. Alonso Lopez / Photo courtesy of Donald Rubinstein
When the US was a young country without much knowledge of colonialism, its Navy overwhelmed the Spanish and won the SpanishAmerican War in 1898. Soon after, America decided it wanted the Mariana Islands, as well as the Philippines and Puerto Rico. Yet, knowing that Germany was interested in acquiring more tropical islands for their copra industry, and recognizing the German Kaiser’s need for prestige, President McKinley allowed Germany to make a deal with Spain over the Caroline Islands. When Germany discovered the US was willing to give up the Northern Marianas, they paid Spain some $4.2 million for both island
groups. On February 6,1899, the Senate voted to ratify the Treaty of Peace, approving the transaction between the three nations. Now, 120 years later, the islands remain two political entities, though both are US territories. It is time to create a joint commission on political status to study the impacts of having two different governments for the same people, who have more commonalities within their historical heritage than differences. Then, with some solid numbers in hand, perhaps it is time to once again address the question: Shall the Mariana Islands be reunified? Click to read more about reunification.
Orders in a Time Before Civilian Rule Before Guam had a civilian government, the Naval Governor ruled by issuing Executive Orders. These mandates were read out to the people at the Plaza de España in Hagåtña. The Naval Executive Orders of Guam were issued from 1898 until 1950, except for the World War II years, when the Japanese issued their own orders. Naval governors were appointed for two-year terms. They often ruled the island similar to
running a ship. Throughout naval rule, many of the orders made unreasonable demands upon the people, while others were intended with a voice of benevolence. Fortunately, for the CHamorus there were sympathetic governors, such as Willis Bradley who believed in the CHamoru people and their right to self government Click to read more about the Naval Executive Orders.
Gov. Willis Bradley proclaims a Bill of Rights for Guam (1930) / Photo courtesy of MARC
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Guampedia Newsletter, October 2019
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The Guam Department of Education Officially Endorses Guampedia 3 5
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(1), (2), (5): Pictures from the Guampedia Teacher Workshop at the Guam Museum (3): Guampedia’s Educators Portal (4): Guampedia Team with Dr. Anita Enriquez (Guampedia Board President) and Rufina Mendiola (GDOE CHamoru Studies Dept. Administrator) outside the Education Board Meeting.
This past September, Guampedia became officially endorsed as an educational resource by the Guam Department of Education during their monthly Guam Education Board Meeting. As an officially endorsed resource, Guampedia will be working dilligently with the Guam Department of Education by providing teachers and administrators with professional development training, a continued
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development of content and lesson plans for the classroom, and to support culturally sustaining pedagogies within our region. This endorsement serves as the culminiation of over 11 years of continuous dedication to the education of teachers, children, visitors to our island, and those curious about Guam about the unique CHamoru heritage and history of the people of Guam and the Mariana Islands. Check out our Educators Portal: home to lesson plans, workbooks, fact sheets, and more, here.
Guinahan Guampedia October in the CHamoru Lunar Calendar is Fanggualo’, which means the season of planting. Click to know more about the Ancient CHamoru Calendar! Illustrated by J.A. Pellion for Freycinet’s 1824 collection Photo courtesy of the Guam Public Library System
VILLAGE FILES
Umatac
Humåtak
Derives from uma, meaning to carry something on the back or shoulders
Fiesta Date:
Celebrated on Oct. 5 Village Saint: San Dionisio
Yona
Iyo-ña
To possess something material, personal or spiritual
Fiesta Date:
Celebrated on Oct. 5
Village Saint:
St. Francis of Assisi
Sinajana
Chinahån-ña
His or her cooking ground Fiesta Date: Oct. 26
Village Saint:
St. Jude Thaddeus
Click h to learenre more!!
