Guam's language commission launches new cultural program

Laura Torres Souder: “Our sense of identity as a colonized indigenous people has been called into question, often eroding our confidence in our sense of authenticity as a people."

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Kumisión i Fino’ CHamoru yan Fina’nå’guen i Historia yan Lina’la’ i Taotao Tåno’ (Commission on CHamoru Language and the Teaching of the History & Culture of the Indigenous People of Guam) has premiered "I Historia put i Hinanao i Taotao Tåno’," a new program inspired by a presentation delivered by Laura M. Torres Souder at the International Indigenous Youth Forum in 2023.

The program, available on the Kumision's YouTube channel, is also set to air on the Guam Legislative Channel beginning the week of Sept. 1.

The program premieres as part of the “Lumåla i Estoriå-ta: History Comes Alive” celebration.

Drawing from Souder’s presentation, the program explores CHamoru history and culture through the lens of indigenous historiography and CHamoru

revisionism, placing the lived experiences, wisdom, and language of the Taotao Tåno’ at the center of the narrative. By challenging conventional portrayals of Guam’s past, I Historia put i Hinanao i Taotao Tåno’ presents history from the inside out.

“Our sense of identity as a colonized indigenous people has been called into question, often eroding our confidence in our sense of authenticity as a people," Souder said.

"Who are we? The truth is, we know who we are. We are Taotao Tåno’,  descendants of a wise and ancient people, the first people of this land. When we tap into our måta, the font of wisdom of our ancestors, we regain a sense of our true identity. Interpreting and writing about our history from a CHamoru revisionist perspective constitutes an act of cultural sovereignty,” she added.

Her message serves as both a reminder and a call to action: that reconnecting with ancestral wisdom is not only an academic exercise but also a living practice that strengthens identity, builds cultural pride, and empowers future generations.