Marianas History Conference 2025

The 7th Marianas History Conference
One Archipelago, Many Stories: Weaving Stories of Land & Lineage

Presented by the University of Guam and Humanities Guåhan in partnership with Guampedia, Guam Preservation Trust, and the Northern Marianas Humanities Council

Dates: August 29–31, 2025

Location: Unibetsedåt Guåhan (University of Guam), Mangilao Guam

The Seventh Marianas History Conference (MHC) returns to the goals of telling the history and cultivating the connections between the peoples of the Mariana Islands. This conference takes as its point of departure weaving. Generations of Mariana weavers have bound together separate fibers to make useful and beautiful objects: from baskets to ocean-faring vessels. The processes and objects contain and express values central to the peoples of the Marianas. In this spirit, the 7th MHC will provide a space to weave stories, tell our histories, bind ourselves together, and connect to our pasts to remake “One Archipelago.”

This conference is also supported through grant funding made available by the Guam Economic Development Authority’s Series 7 Qualifying Certificate Community Contribution Program and the Guam Medical Regional Center.

Quick Actions

  • Buy Full Conference Tickets for $40 → GuamTime

    • Students → Email mhc@triton.uog.edu for your access code, then redeem on GuamTime

  • Shortened Conference Schedule (PDF) → Schedule Here

  • Full Conference Program (PDF) → Program Here

  • Register: Pre-Conference Workshops (Attendees Only) → Register Here

  • RSVP: Free Public Events (Open to All) → RSVP Here

About the Marianas History Conference

In 2011 a group of like-minded people from the Mariana Islands decided it was high time to have a Marianas History Conference, one that focused on the history and experiences of the people of all the Mariana Islands. The initial group of organizers, led by Scott Russell of the Northern Marianas and Rosanna Barcinas of Guam, came up with the theme, “One Archipelago, Many Stories,” which highlighted the deep and rich history of the Mariana Islands as well as bridged the political division of the archipelago –– a division that exists today.

At-a-Glance Schedule

Friday, Aug 29 — Opening Ceremony 6:00–8:30 PM (Guam Museum)
Saturday, Aug 30 — Sessions 8:30 AM–8:30 PM (University of Guam)
Sunday, Aug 31 — Sessions 8:30 AM–5:30 PM (University of Guam)

Pre-Conference Workshops (Conference Attendees Only) — Register Here

These sessions are free with conference registration and require RSVP. Space is limited.

Morning Tour — Fri, Aug 29 • 10:00-12:00PM

Guåhan Sustainable Culture Food Resiliency Hub Tour — with Kristin Oberiano
Location: Guåhan Sustainable Culture at Hamamoto Gardens, Yoña

Tour the island’s first Food Resiliency Hub: aquaponic systems, learning center, nursery, community pavilion, and a 45-minute nature path through 17 acres of fruit forest. Explore land stewardship, cultural revitalization, and sustainable agriculture on Guåhan.

Afternoon Workshop — Fri, Aug 29 • 1:00–3:00 PM

åmot walk + discussion: a workshop on healing + community wellness
— with Yo’åmte Lourdes “Mama Lou” Manglona & Yo’åmte Susan Aguon
Location: G3 Makerspace Green Store, CHamoru Village, STE 120

Center and ground our collective work through åmot (medicinal plants). Within the conference theme, consider what healing means today, challenges to healing, and futures of traditional medicine in the Marianas. Begins with a blessing by Gi Matan Guma’; concludes with light refreshments.

Partners: Humanities Guåhan × Micronesian Climate Change Alliance × Gi Matan Guma’ × Para i Hinemlo i Taotao.

Plenary & Featured Speakers

Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero

Jillette T. Leon-Guerrero

Manuel Flores Borja

Free Public Programs (Open to All) — RSVP Required Here

Free; RSVP required for planning and accessibility. Seating is first-come, first-served and subject to venue capacity. Public events are recommended PG-13; attendees under 18 should be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Afternoon Film Screening — Sat, Aug 30 • 4:40–6:00 PM

Kuentusi I Tano’ (Speaking to Land) — Hosted by Humanities Guåhan
Venue: UOG HSS Room 302
Kuentusi i Tano’ centers Indigenous Pacific Islander voices and deep cultural ties to land. This screening features “One Day Our Bodies Will Truly Be Free” (Arielle Taitano Lowe) and “In the Company of Butterflies” (Tina Taitano DeLisle).

Evening Theatrical Performance — Sat, Aug 30 • 7:00–8:15 PM

We Will Not Go Silent — Presented by Breaking Wave Theatre Company
Venue: UOG Fine Arts Theatre
An award-winning devised theatre piece interweaving ancestral knowledge, contemporary voices, and climate justice through Guåhan’s history—an invitation to remembrance, connection, and resistance.

Afternoon Theatrical Staged Reading — Sun, Aug 31 • 4:00–4:45 PM

Murder at To’to — Presented by the UOG Theatre Program
Venue: UOG Fine Arts Theatre
Adapted for the stage by Troy McVey from Carlos Madrid’s (2023) article, “A Murder in To’to: Local Responses Against Convict Violence in Guam,” bringing archival research and community memory to life.

Accessibility, Code of Conduct & Media

  • Accessibility: We strive to make MHC welcoming and accessible. For accommodations, please email mhc@triton.uog.edu.

  • Code of Conduct: MHC fosters a respectful, inclusive environment; harassment, hate speech, and disruptions are not permitted.

  • Media & Photography: You may opt out of close-up photo/video at check-in. We’ll provide an opt-out sticker and make reasonable efforts to honor it; incidental appearance in wide crowd shots may occur.

About the Marianas History Conference

In 2011 a group of like-minded people from the Mariana Islands decided it was high time to have a Marianas History Conference, one that focused on the history and experiences of the people of all the Mariana Islands. The initial group of organizers, led by Scott Russell of the Northern Marianas and Rosanna Barcinas of Guam, came up with the theme, “One Archipelago, Many Stories,” which highlighted the deep and rich history of the Mariana Islands as well as bridged the political division of the archipelago – a division that exists today.

Support the Humanities in the Marianas

Both Humanities Guåhan and the Northern Marianas Humanities Council have recently lost their core funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). As you complete your registration, you will have the option to make an additional donation. Your contribution will be evenly split between the two councils and will directly support this important conference and our shared mission to promote the humanities in the Marianas.

All donations made to Humanities Guåhan and the Northern Marianas Humanities Council will be generously matched 1:1 by the Federation of State Humanities Councils, with support from the Mellon Foundation, up to $50,000—doubling the impact of your gift. Thank you for supporting history, culture, and the humanities in our islands

Contact

Email: mhc@triton.uog.edu