Hearing split on island name
By Dionesis Tamondong
Pacific Daily News
March 13, 2010
More than half a dozen people who testified in support of changing Guam's name to Guåhan said it would go far in preserving the island's indigenous culture
Others said Bill 331 was a waste of time, and the changes would unnecessarily cost the government of Guam and local businesses too much effort and money.
Some people suggested nixing the measure and letting voters decide in a referendum, complete with a thorough education campaign.
Educators, business owners, local activists and veterans were among those who spoke during yesterday's public hearing on Gov. Felix Camacho's proposal. The governor last month issued an executive order calling for agencies to refer to the island as Guåhan in order "to reclaim our indigenous name" and "reaffirm our identity as a people."
Camacho also has asked Guam's congressional delegate, Madeleine Bordallo, to initiate the change at the federal level. Until federal law makes the island's name change official, GovGuam will have to stick to Guam when it comes to formal communication.
Those who spoke for Bill 331, most testifying in Chamorro, said the name change would mark an important step in the island's self-determination and highlight the indigenous language and culture.
But some questioned whether Guåhan is truly the island's indigenous name, citing a University of Guam study.
"I would support this bill if, in fact, the name Guåhan is the indigenous name for the island of the Chamorros," Eloy Hara said. "But I also believe that something of this magnitude should be put in a referendum."
Ivan Carbullido said while the intent of the bill is admirable, efforts to change the name -- from government communications to business names -- would be quite expensive.
Sean Larkin said Guam's visitor industry and many companies have spent much time and effort branding the island, and those efforts could be diminished if the change were to take effect.
Larkin said instead of forcing a legal name change, which would be costly and distract from other more important issues, the island can use both Guam and Guåhan references as some local agencies and other countries currently do.
"There's no reason we couldn't use both names together," Larkin said.
For example, while Palau is the official name for the island nation, the traditional name, Belau, is regularly accepted for official and common references, said Hara, citing officials he spoke with during a recent trip to Palau.
Supporters and opponents of the measure received applause from their respective sides, but David Sablan, who called Bill 331 a waste of time, garnered applause from the entire audience after he spoke at the hearing.
The Dededo resident said he felt the bill was just a means for the governor to mark his legacy rather than a sincere step toward self-determination.
"We shouldn't even be discussing this bill right now. We should be discussing our political status," said Sablan, a local artist, Chamorro activist and Vietnam War veteran. "We have the right to change our name, but we don't have the right to govern ourselves."
When significant milestones are made toward the island's political self-determination, Sablan said he would be the first to support changing the island's name to Guåhan.
"Instead of Guam, maybe we should name the island Going ... because our governor, he keeps going and going," Sablan said, prompting applause and laughter from the audience.
Camacho is scheduled to be back on island this weekend.
Showing posts with label Guahan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guahan. Show all posts
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Historian backs ‘Guahan,’ senator bats for self-rule
Historian backs ‘Guahan,’ senator bats for self-rule
Wednesday, 17 February 2010 03:32
by Tiffany Sukola | Variety News Staff
A LOCAL historian stands behind Gov. Felix Camacho’s initiative to adopt “Guahan” as the island’s official name, despite harsh criticism from some local residents.
Camacho signed an executive order on Monday after delivering his final state of the island address that calls for all “Guam” references in official documents to be replaced with “Guahan,” the island’s indigenous name. The governor also asked legislators to enact a similar measure to adopt the name-change as well.
University of Guam Chamorro professor Peter Onedera said critics of the governor’s initiative are missing the point of this unprecedented move. He said he has heard opponents of Camacho’s decision say that the name-change will have no effect on the Chamorro people.
However, Onedera said he fully supports Camacho’s move because he sees this is a chance for the Chamorro people to finally have a say in what happens to their island. “This is a step in the right direction,” said Onedera. “It’s about time the Chamorro people are empowered.”
Onedera said local residents should not let this opportunity to give the island its proper name back. “Other names were given through time, from the Spanish, the Japanese and the Americans,” he said. “But no one ever asked the native people if it was ok or got permission from them to use these new names.”
According to Onedera, “Guahan” and “Guam” have both been used in historical documents referencing the island. However, the natives called their island “Guahan.”
Americans started calling the island, ‘Guam’, when they arrived in 1898, said Onedera. The name stuck after the island was referenced as “Guam” in the Treaty of Paris.
The first naval governor, Richard Leary, requested that the island be officially named, “Isle of Guam.”
Onedera added that residents should feel empowered because they finally have a chance to voice their opinion on the matter.
However, Sen. Judi Guthertz said that while Camacho’s intentions are all well and good, changing the name of our island is not a legacy.
“A legacy is achieving something really remarkable on a significant issue,” said Guthertz in a press release yesterday. “I would suggest that the Governor concentrate…on establishing a new and improved political status as his legacy.”
Guthertz added that Camacho should convene the Commission on Decolonization and the Guam First Commission to address the issue of political status.
Onedera also said that he would like to see the next administration take a more proactive role in preserving the island’s culture and language.
“We are losing things of value to our culture,” said Onedera. “I hope the next administration has more cultural sensitivity.”
Onedera said he believes the Chamorro language is not used nearly enough throughout the island. The Chamorro language, he said, should be used more in official documents and during public speeches.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010 03:32
by Tiffany Sukola | Variety News Staff
A LOCAL historian stands behind Gov. Felix Camacho’s initiative to adopt “Guahan” as the island’s official name, despite harsh criticism from some local residents.
Camacho signed an executive order on Monday after delivering his final state of the island address that calls for all “Guam” references in official documents to be replaced with “Guahan,” the island’s indigenous name. The governor also asked legislators to enact a similar measure to adopt the name-change as well.
University of Guam Chamorro professor Peter Onedera said critics of the governor’s initiative are missing the point of this unprecedented move. He said he has heard opponents of Camacho’s decision say that the name-change will have no effect on the Chamorro people.
However, Onedera said he fully supports Camacho’s move because he sees this is a chance for the Chamorro people to finally have a say in what happens to their island. “This is a step in the right direction,” said Onedera. “It’s about time the Chamorro people are empowered.”
Onedera said local residents should not let this opportunity to give the island its proper name back. “Other names were given through time, from the Spanish, the Japanese and the Americans,” he said. “But no one ever asked the native people if it was ok or got permission from them to use these new names.”
According to Onedera, “Guahan” and “Guam” have both been used in historical documents referencing the island. However, the natives called their island “Guahan.”
Americans started calling the island, ‘Guam’, when they arrived in 1898, said Onedera. The name stuck after the island was referenced as “Guam” in the Treaty of Paris.
The first naval governor, Richard Leary, requested that the island be officially named, “Isle of Guam.”
Onedera added that residents should feel empowered because they finally have a chance to voice their opinion on the matter.
However, Sen. Judi Guthertz said that while Camacho’s intentions are all well and good, changing the name of our island is not a legacy.
“A legacy is achieving something really remarkable on a significant issue,” said Guthertz in a press release yesterday. “I would suggest that the Governor concentrate…on establishing a new and improved political status as his legacy.”
Guthertz added that Camacho should convene the Commission on Decolonization and the Guam First Commission to address the issue of political status.
Onedera also said that he would like to see the next administration take a more proactive role in preserving the island’s culture and language.
“We are losing things of value to our culture,” said Onedera. “I hope the next administration has more cultural sensitivity.”
Onedera said he believes the Chamorro language is not used nearly enough throughout the island. The Chamorro language, he said, should be used more in official documents and during public speeches.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)