‘I Kinalamten Para I Direchon I Taotao Tåno.’ 

It’s more than just a name of an interactive panel exhibit, it's an invaluable resource that tells a powerful story.

The Kumisión I Fino’ CHamoru Yan Fina’nå’guen I Historia Yan Lina’la’ I Taotao Tåno’ launching this initiative, which delves deep into the CHamoru people’s journey toward self-determination, honoring their resilience, history, and aspirations for the future.

Dr. Laura Souder, Chairperson of the Kumisión, shared insight on the importance of this exhibit.

“A lot of the material that’s available–historical material that’s available, is available about things that were done to the CHamorus–rather than demonstrating the agency and the ability of the CHamorus to stand for what they believe, and so, we wanted to get that across in the exhibit,” said Souder. 

Throughout the panels, QR codes guide visitors straight into primary sources, providing direct access to what is cited. 

 “And hopefully we’ll make these primary sources come alive. For example, Dr. Underwood testified on the floor of Congress–so we have all of those testimonies listed that are in the congressional record–but we’re going to be interviewing him or asking him to record some of his testimony so they can actually hear his voice,” added Souder. 

And while the path to self-determination continues, Souder reflects on her hopes for the future.

“What I hope is that our people will be able to choose the destiny that they seek and desire. What I hope is that we,  in our generation, will do what we need to do to make sure that our language, and therefore our culture, continues to exist in the future—that’s my hope. It’s not so much that I aspire to a specific destination–as I aspire toward the fulfillment of an inalienable right for self determination,” she said. 

The Kumisión also introduced Sagan Inilao Put I Hinayi Yan Rikuetdon CHamoru, a genealogy research lab and resource center dedicated to preserving and revitalizing CHamoru family histories.

The exhibit will be available for public viewing from March 10 to March 31 by appointment, while the lab will be free and open to the public during its hours of operation.