ABOUT THE PROJECT

Humanities Guåhan is pleased to present Unincorporated: Voting, Voices and Visions para Guåhan, a webinar series and digital magazine exploring CHamoru stories, experiences and perspectives on civic engagement in relation to voting rights, democracy, decolonization, self-determination and Guåhan’s political status.

Humanities Guåhan received a grant of more than $40,000 from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to produce this program as part of a $1.96 million nationwide initiative, “Why It Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation,” which was presented by the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Why It Matters will provide non-partisan, free programming in 43 states and territories exploring the roles that civic and electoral engagement play in establishing and sustaining democracy.

Humanities Guåhan launched the Unincorporated: Voting, Voices and Visions para Guåhan webinar series with Ti Måmakpo', featuring the celebrated historian and scholar, Dr. Robert Underwood in conversation with community advocate and legislative policy analyst, Selina Onedera-Salas on the origins on CHamoru self-determination.

The series continued with the second webinar, Words & Reflections From the Commission on Decolonization with Melvin Won-Pat Borja, highlighting the history of the Commission's establishment and its current work with the community. The Chairwoman of the Commission, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, gave a special address. This conversation was facilitated by Selina Onedera-Salas, and included a powerful spoken-word piece by Nichole Quintanilla.

Art and Sovereignty, the third webinar in the Unincorporated: Voting, Voices and Visions para Guåhan series, explored the role of and link between art and politics through conversations with three CHamoru artists.  Ric Castro, a professor of art at the University of Guam; Cara Flores, a filmmaker and the director of Nihi!, a non-profit that produces culture-based media; and Kerri Ann "Ifit" Na'puti Borja, an educator, community organizer, photographer, and creator of body ornamentation, presented examples from their own artworks while reflecting on responses and thoughts about democracy and CHamoru self-determination that have inspired them as artists and are inspired by art. This conversation was facilitated by Dr. Melissa Taitano, Assistant Professor of  Library Science/Library Technical Services at the University of Guam, apprentice carver under the tutelage of Palu Master Traditional Navigator Larry Raigetal and Humanities Guåhan Board Member. 

The fourth webinar, Navigating the Law: Voting and Political Status Rights in Guåhan, featured Attorney General Leevin Taitano Camacho in conversation with attorney Vanessa Williams. AG Camacho discussed the history of voting in Guam and political status and Attorney Williams presented on court cases related to Guam's quest for self-determination. Leevin T. Camacho is Guam's fifth elected attorney general (AG). Before being elected, AG Camacho was a solo practitioner who handled civil and criminal matters. Vanessa Lee Williams is a CHamoru litigator and advocate for civil rights in Guam.

The final webinar in the series, Voices From the Unincorporated Magazine, celebrated the magazine’s launch and brought together three contributors to reflect on their individual pieces, as well as on the larger topic of Guam’s political status - author and poet Teresita Perez, artist and community advocate Angela Santos, and scholar Dr. Therese “Isa” Arriola.  Project consultant Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua facilitated this engaging and insightful discussion with Chamoru educator and musician Joe Garrido closing the webinar with a performance of two original compositions, Na’lå’la and Ginen Marianas.

All webinars are available for viewing on the Humanities Guåhan Facebook page. Click each flyer to access the recording.

To view the Unincorporated magazine online, click here. To view the printed version of the Unincorporated magazine, click here.

A limited number of printed copies of the Unincorporated magazine are available to distribute to Guåhan’s and CNMI public schools and libraries, project partners and participants, funders, and various other local as well as national organizations and agencies.

For more information on how your organization or educational institution can receive a printed copy of this publication, contact us at info@humanitiesguahan.org or call 472-4461.  

Humanities Guåhan is a nonprofit organization that provides foundational support and educational programs for the people of Guåhan. The mission of Humanities Guåhan is to foster community engagement and dialogue, inspire critical thinking, celebrate diversity and enrich the quality of life of island residents through the power of the humanities.

Further Resources:
“Mellon Foundation Awards $1.96 Million Grant to Federation of State Humanities Councils to Engage the Public on the Importance of Civic and Electoral Engagement”
by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

“Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Awards $1.96 Million to Federation of State Humanities Councils to Support Nationwide Public Humanities Programs on Civic and Electoral Participation”
by The Federation of State Humanities Councils

"Humanities Guåhan PresentsUnincorporated: Voting, Voices and Visions para Guåhan"
by Humanities Guåhan

“Unincorporated: Voting, Voices and Visions para Guåhan” is made possible with funding support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in partnership with the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Any views expressed in this webinar series and magazine project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Federation of State Humanities Councils, or Humanities Guåhan.