Contributing to the Chamorro Renaissance

On an island where modernization has nearly obliterated the indigenous people’s native tongue, a few notable individuals are moving to stop this diminishment of Chamorro cultural identity. One of those whose work is contributing to this rebirth of the Chamorro culture is Ann Marie Arceo, founder of Camp Hurao and Inadahen Lina'la Kotturan Chamoru (Chamorro Cultural Center). Our conversation took place on the future site of the cultural center at Ypao Point. Upon completion, the area will serve as both a testament to the struggles of the culture’s fight for survival, and as a paradox in the heart of the island’s most westernized area.

Inadahen Lina'la Kotturan Chamoru is a work in progress. The land currently houses eight concrete structures built on an overlook of Tumon Bay. Two of the houses being renovated are near completion. The cultural center is being built and maintained entirely by generous helping hands from across the community, including those of Arceo’s husband, Raymond. It is hard to imagine that one woman’s work has generated this much progress. I asked her about her motivation for contributing to the preservation of the Chamorro language.

The Arceo family, left to right: Angelana Santos, Ma'ina, AnnMarie, Mariana and Ray.“I have a gift, to give back to my people and especially to my children; this is the driving force in what I do,” Arceo said. “And so every day that I go out and venture, and try to make a difference, I think about what’s left behind after I leave this world. What am I going to leave behind for my children, and God’s gift to me is what I can give back. And that’s the driving force in what I do.”

Arceo’s drive to make a difference began at an early age. When she was nineteen, she took a job as a Chamorro teacher in the then-Department of Education’s Chamorro Studies Program. It was not until her mid-twenties that she realized this particular area was her calling. After her teaching stint, she began work at the Chamorro Language Commission. Her time spent in these two government agencies soon exposed her to the “game of politics” and its roadblocks against the learning of the Chamorro language and culture.

“Then I knew the work couldn’t be done inside the government, it had to be done outside no matter what governor took over, or what senatorial candidates… or what administration took over, that it would have stability out here, that’s where the drive came,” said Arceo.

With that realization, so too came her resignation from the government of Guam, and then the roots were planted for the idea of a cultural camp, now known among members of the community as “Hurao.” Initially Arceo says she was not quite sure if this camp idea would work, and considered it to be a gamble. But Camp Hurao has been in existence for four years now, because her drive to find a way to make a difference and preserve a dying identity became her motivation. For her, the components that make up this identity must be present and recognized for more than just fiestas and huts. These commonplace examples of the Chamorro identity are only surface images, and in order to truly preserve the culture, she believes the means of preservation must be deeper. “It’s got to be where our children are truly speaking the language because that’s one thing nobody can take from them, whether they steal their clothing or whatever material items they (own),” she said.

Behind this strong woman stands a family that supports her endeavors, transforming this journey into a family affair.

“Without them, especially my husband, I wouldn’t be able to carry on with a lot these programs and activities because it takes a lot of sacrifice, (both) time and financial sacrifice, because when the money’s not there, or there’s no sponsors, and if I really want to make it happen, we’d take out of pocket to make it happen,”Arceo said.

For Angelana Santos, her mother’s work has importance within the community that she serves.

“I think it has areally high priority because of the experience I had. In the beginning, I was like, ‘Oh, why do I have to do this,’ and ‘It’s just taking time out of my life,’” said Santos. “But now that it’s far, and I look back on it, it’s really good because I want other children and teenagers my age to have the experience that I do.”

As my conversation with the family continued, they echoed the idea that everything starts at home.

“Families need to start using the language at home. If they know it and they have it, they need to start speaking to their children, because they can’t be dependent upon the school system nor Hurao to be the core of teaching them,” said Arceo.

Her husband Raymond agrees.

“The work is important now because if we don’t start now, quite honestly, we are going to look at the language to be extinct here shortly, if not (in) years to come,” he said. “For the most part, we started at home, and that’s kind of where it begins. Hurao provides that vehicle for other families as well as the community to actually promote the language and culture.”

But Arceo is not all work and no play. She loves to spend time with her family. Her Sundays with them are very precious, although few and far between, due to their current projects. In addition, Arceo is a very spiritual person. She also likes to read, and surprisingly, to decorate. “I’m an interior decorator, and I decorate for parties,” she adds.

A mother, wife, and an advocate for Chamorro language preservation, Ann Marie Arceo has indeed proved to be a renaissance woman. Her work stems from a desire and a passion to preserve an identity that she sees as being threatened with extinction. But underneath her public persona, Arceo remains a simple Chamorrita who strives tobe the best for her family and for her island. 

Q&A

1.    What do you suggest to those who want to contribute to Chamorro language preservation?

First of all, you’re going to have to brush up on Chamorro yourself. You can’t be an advocate if you don’t know your own language, and it’s never too late. If you have a passion for it, and you really have a want for it, you just make a commitment. First you have to learn the language, and there’s so many people you can learnit from, it doesn’t have to be at a school level.

Secondly, be open-minded. Study about who we are as a people, and join organizations like us, contribute to the non-profits, and volunteer time to contribute to this effort to make a difference. And in that experience, they will find that, in that journey, they will become if not like me, but better.

2.  Who supports your efforts?

Well, first of all, I have to say that if it weren’t for my family - my husband first of all, and my children…it’s been a family commitment. It gets difficult for them sometimes, because I get really busy, and they’ve made it their interest. It’s not always what they’d like to do, but they’ve made it their interest because they learn why I do what I do. Then there are those who are my advocates before me who have taught me and got me to where I’m at right now, like Dr. Bernadita Camacho Duñgca, Dr. Marilyn Salas, Dr. Rosa Palomo, Professor Peter Onedera. Those are some significant people in my life. (Also) Mr. Bill Paulino, who trained me and taught me… (and) Ann Rivera (formerly of Chamorro Studies). These are people in my life who have taught me very well. So I have a little bit of all of them in who I am today, and I think that’s a very important note to make, to include Tan Ana Garcia (of previous Chamorro Studies programs), Faye Barret and Rose Castro. All these people I believe contributed (and) supported me to making me who I am today. So, I have a little bit of all of them in me to carry on what their teachings are.

3.  What are your current plans or goals for the future?

For Hurao and the Cultural Center, my goals (are) for Hurao to get the daycare going and the K-12 immersion school up and running, and to get our Chamorro teachers into the schools so they’re really making a difference in the immersion school. Also for the Cultural Center to get up all the eight homes, so that all the artists are actually  in here and doing apprenticeship for our children, as well as getting this place into operations for our visitors too.

Those are my professional goals. My personal goals are to have at least one more child, and I hope it's a boy; and to make some home improvements in our lives for my family, and perhaps to pursue another degree.