Chamorro, Carolinian Language Symposium strengthens cultural and language roots

11/12/2025 - After a few years’ break, the Chamorro Carolinian Language Policy Commission under the Department of Community & Cultural Affairs brought back the CNMI Chamorro & Carolinian Language Symposium on Nov. 5–6 at the Royal Taga Hall, Saipan World Resort.

With the theme “Strengthening Our Language Roots,” the two-day event brought together educators, students, and community members to discuss ways to continue to preserve and strengthen the CNMI’s native languages.

Day 1 opened with cultural displays and an opening ceremony with remarks from DCCA Secretary Francisco M. Rabauliman and Gov. David M. Apatang. Breakout sessions followed, covering topics like curriculum development for bilingual education, using technology for language learning, arts and crafts, song and dance, Carolinian dialects, Chamorro storytelling, and bilingual conversation in the media. There was also cultural entertainment and open discussions throughout the day.

Day 2 started with a recap of the first day, followed by a panel on policy and pathways for language sustainability, where policymakers, educators, and language experts shared ideas on how to keep both languages thriving.

Panelists included Rabauliman, Chamorro Carolinian Language Policy Commission Board Chair Donald Mendiola, PSS Board of Education Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, PSS Commissioner of Education Lawrence Camacho, Carolinian linguist Jesus Elameto, Chamorro Carolinian Language Policy Commission board member Gloria Rasiang, Northern Marianas Humanities Council Leo Pangelinan, Youth Congress Senator Aden Yumul, 500 Sails’ June Coleman, Indigenous Affairs executive assistant Luela Marciano, Rep. Elias Rangamar, special guest Oliver Gonzales, Chamorro Carolinian Language Policy Commission board member Marlene Tenorio, Chamorro Carolinian Language Policy Commission board member Therese Manalang, and PSS parent representative Valerie Reyes.

The afternoon focused on sessions about Chamorro and Carolinian orthography and creating practical materials for language learning. The event closed with presentations and then remarks from Chamorro Carolinian Language Policy Commission executive director Ramona S. Camacho.

Mendiola said in an interview with Marianas Press that the gathering was a very important event. “We had all the different stakeholders, different agencies within the Community & Cultural Affairs Department and other special interest groups nonprofits, like the [Northern Marianas Humanities Council] and Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, to update and talk about the language and the culture of the Chamorro and Carolinian groups here in the Mariana Islands,” he said. “What’s important about this is getting together. When we discuss, we try to give each other updates—what’s going on, what are we doing in the schools—what is the community working on to help preserve, to maintain, and to perpetuate both the language and the culture of the Chamorros and Carolinians.”

In her closing remarks, Camacho said, “for the past two days, we soaked up a lot of information, a lot of concerns… there’s a missing link. Yes there’s a lot that fell through the cracks. Even though there’s obstacles like [Typhoon] Soudelor, Yutu, and the pandemic, like our chairman of the board Donald Mendiola mentioned, we’re coming back. We are coming back to break down those obstacles, to break down the walls and do something about our preservation of our language. Like I said during an interview, we haven’t lost it—yet. But if we don’t do something today, we will lose it tomorrow.”

She added that she understands what teachers are going through and the challenges they face in the classroom. She also talked about ending the mindset that teachers alone are responsible, saying that everyone plays a part—especially parents. “Everybody’s responsible. Parents are most especially responsible to make sure that what the teachers are doing in the classroom regarding CCLHS, and they come back home, carry through. Because if it doesn’t carry through at home, it’s really pointless for them to take that course in the school setting. It dies at home. Learning the language—Carolinian and Chamorro language, you know, it’s free. We talk about the budget. We don’t need money to teach the language at home—it’s free.”

The symposium was made possible with support from the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture, Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Carolinian Affairs Office, CNMI Museum of History and Culture, CNMI Public School System, Office of Indigenous Affairs, CNMI Division of Historic Preservation, and Marianas Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations.

By Leigh Gases