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The Right to Vote on Guam
From the beginning of the Congress, a similar advisory board an appointed civilian governor and American governance of Guam to the governor, but one that would an elected unicameral legislature in 1898, CHamorus expressed be elected by the citizens of the that could now make laws. a strong desire to participate in island. On March 7, 1931, the first The people continued to the government of their island. In general election in the history of the press on to expand these rights. December 1901, a petition was sent island took place in order to fill these After numerous more petitions, to the US Congress expressing seats. However, it soon became the US Congress passed the happiness that Guam was now clear that the recommendations of Elective Governor Act in 1969, under the United States. However, this Congress were to be ignored allowing island residents to elect this expression was coupled with just as those of the previous their governor, and the Guam feelings of extreme dissatisfaction Congress. The denial of this most Congressional Representation Act with being under military rule as basic civil right lit a fire underneath in 1972, allowing one non-voting well. The first form of participation the CHamorus who longed to take delegate to serve in the House of in local government came in the part in their own civil governance. Representatives. Since then, the form of the Guam voting rights for Congress in 1917, the island have nearly two decades remained the after the US began same. Today, while administering we still maintain the island. Ths the right to elect Congress was an our local political advisory board with leaders, the people no legislative powers of Guam are not and members were counted in the vote appointed by the for the President of governor to give the United States recommendations to and the island’s the naval governor, only representation who ultimately had in the federal the power to ignore government Elected members of the 9th Guam Congress/ Courtesy of MARC them. continues to be a On December 4, 1930, US Naval Discontent grew to its boiling single non-voting delegate in the Gov. Willis Bradley and the Guam point when US Naval Gov. Charles House of Representatives. Congress created a Bill of Rights Pownall intervened in the actions As we enter into another for Guam modeled after the first Ten of the Guam Congress regarding a general election, it is imperative Amendments of the US Constitution. warrant for the arrest of a business that we remember the history This bill, however, was ultimately owner. This sobering reminder that brought us to where we are denied by the US Department of the of their lack of power prompted today. The act of voting in the Navy. The complications associated members of the 9th Guam Congress local election not only ensures with the simple passing of this to walk out of session in protest. the election of local leaders Bill of Rights made apparent the This walkout gained national media who advocate for our island’s numerous privileges that were not attention and served as the catalyst communities, but also serves afforded to the CHamoru people. for the passing of the Organic Act as a way for us to honor and Among these was the right to vote of Guam in 1950, an act that finally acknowledge both the tragedies for the individuals who would create, addressed this severe lack of local endured and triumphs achieved in interpret, and execute the laws that representation. With this act, the this continuous desire for greater governed them. In response, Gov. people of Guam were finally given self-governance. Bradley created the second Guam three branches of government with
Page 2 | Guampedia Newsletter, November 2020
Adapting Holiday Traditions As the year comes to an end, we enter into a season filled with key holidays and traditions that serve to recenter ourselves around the relationships we have cultivated within our families and amongst our friends. While the restrictions caused by this global pandemic aren’t ideal, advancements in technology can allow us to make the most of our situation by helping us adapt to the new orders to limit our social interactions. We at Guampedia are here to give some ideas on ways you can celebrate some of our most beloved holidays and traditions, even as we isolate with our families at home.
All Soul’s Day
lives of the family. In many ways, this practice is no different than the keeping of photographs or items that remind us of our own loved ones who have gone before us. This All Soul’s Day, break out these cherished mementos and share fond memories and lessons learned with those in our household who may not have met them when they were alive.
Nobenan Niñu
The nobena, or novena, is a series of devotional prayers said over the course of nine days that are associated with the various feasts of the Catholic Church year. The Nobenan Niñu is one specific type of nobena held during the Christmas season with the last day ending on either Christmas Eve, Rendition of Ancient CHamoru Burial/ Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, Courtesy of Raph Unpingco New Year’s Day, or on Three King’s This coming November 2nd, the Day in early January. It is most often island’s Catholics continue in the celebrated within individual family annual celebration of All Soul’s Day. If we know one thing about the homes. Like other promesas, this While normally celebrated through people of Guam, it’s that we love nobena is generational and often the attendance of Catholic Mass fiestas. On this day, family members passed through the female line from at the various cemeteries around come together with some of their mother to daughter. As we prepare this island, this year things will be best dishes to give thanks for for this time valued tradition in the different. On November 2nd, all another year and share one huge coming month, we are reminded of cemeteries will be closed to the meal. While we may find it difficult social distancing and limitations on public, but that shouldn’t stop us to gather with our loved ones to gatherings. This year, share a link from celebrating the lives of our have our fiesta tables overflowed, on any of the various online meeting loved ones who have since passed Guampedia offers a solution through sites and hold a virtual nobena that on. In ancient CHamoru burial our fiesta table project. This section can be attended by friends and customs dating back thousands on our site compiles the recipes of family in the village over or even of years, when a member of the various fiesta table favorites, both across the seas. household passed away, the body as written entries and step-by-step of the deceased would be buried videos. This year, task different near their latte hut. Their skull and household members with a different long bones would then be exhumed recipe and find your Thanksgiving from the grave to be kept in the cravings satisfied. Click here to view house to serve as reminders of the the recipes compiled and videos profound impact they had on the produced on Guampedia!
Thanksgiving
From Friends of Guampedia
The Guam Preservation Trust offers Ekungok i Estoriå-ta (Listen to Our Stories), an online resource for teaching about Guam’s historic sites. These 10 treasured stories of significant historic sites on Guam are told in CHamoru, both in narrative and song, with the goal to provide opportunities for teachers to use a variety of teaching methods for place-based learning. In this
project, a group of CHamoru language teachers learned about several sites on Guam and collaborated with local musicians to write these narratives and compose these songs. Click here to read more about this project on Guampedia and here to view the narratives and song on the Guam Preservation Trust’s special project site: Pacific Preservation.
