The conference is a special component of the revision project funded in part by the National Science Foundation and supported by government agencies, several organizations, businesses and community volunteers from Saipan, Tinian and Rota as well as the Chamorro Carolinian Language Commission.
According to the project’s co-principal investigators, Drs. Elizabeth D. Rechebei and Sandy Chung, the main objective of the conference is to examine the place of the Chamorro language in general in the Marianas and in the context of emerging political, social, economic, cultural and general global conditions. The entire conference will be in Chamorro with the exception of two presentations.
“Rota or (Luta), as is commonly known, is perhaps, the last remaining island in the Northern Marianas where Chamorro language is still spoken throughout the community. As such, the steering committee selected Rota as the appropriate venue for this important conference,” says Glenn H. Manglona, conference chairman.
Keynote speakers are as follows: Dr. Sandy Cheung from the University of Santa Cruz, Carmen S. Taimanao, Chamorro language and culture expert, Joseph S. Inos, former mayor of Rota and a recognized speaker of the language, and John Del Rosario, former Department of Public Lands secretary, Chamorro writer and columnist.
The other guest speakers are Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Rota Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola, Ignacio Demapan, resident executive director for indigenous affairs, Diego M. Songao, chairman of the Rota gaming commission, Prudencio T. Manglona, former mayor of Rota, Herbert Del Rosario, Northern Marianas College Archives director, Rita Sablan, commissioner of education, William Macaranas from the Chamorro-Carolinian Language Commission, Peter Onedero, University of Guam Chamorro language professor, to name a few.
Students from the CNMI and Guam will also be presenting their views and work in Chamorro each day of the three-day conference.
