This week on the podcast we begin our conversation with Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua by discussing Guåhan’s incredibly layered history, as well as the Chamoru history that predates any colonial narrative by thousands of years. With an understanding of how Guåhan (Guam) ended up as a “territory” of the United States, Michael shares the current efforts to decolonize Guåhan and instill strong self-governance. Within this conversation, we turn our attention towards the importance of self-governance and sovereignty amidst climate change, considering that so many U.S. territories are often left to navigate the aftermath of climate emergencies with zero support from the same government that seeks to endlessly exploit their resources. 

Not only do we learn about Guåhan’s history and impetus to pursue independence from violent government structures, but we also explore the connections between global wars, patriotism, illegal seizure of Indigenous land, the strengthening of the military, and environmental degradation. Listening to Guåhan’s collective memory, we are guided to think about what justice for so-called U.S. territories looks like and how communities are building momentum around creating a dignified and livable world.

Michael Lujan Bevacqua, Ph.D. taught Guam History and Chamoru language at the University of Guam for 10 years and helped found its Chamorro Studies Program, the only one of its kind in the world. With his brother Jack, they run a creative collective called The Guam Bus which publishes Chamoru language books, comics, and learning materials. He is the co-chair for the community group Independent Guåhan, which is dedicated to educating the island of Guam on the possibilities should it decolonize and become a sovereign, independent country. He is a member of the Kabesa and Bittot clans on Guam.

♫ The music featured in this episode is “Songs of the Forgotten” by Fabian Almazan Trio, “I Will Not Obey (U.Utah Phillips)” by Dumpster Full of Dragons, and “Crazy Flame” by I Goodfriend.

Episode References

“Militarization and Resistance from Guåhan: Protecting and Defending Pågat” by Tiara Na‘puti and Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua

“Guam can learn from U.S. Virgin Island’s constitution attempts” by Dr. Michael Lujan Bevacqua

The Guam Bus

Independent Guåhan

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