Håle’ Para Agupa’ spent the month of Nobiembre watching the movie I am Chamorro and engaging in dialogue around what it means to them to be Chamorro. We also reached outward and asked other Chamorros what it meant to them to be Chamorro and here is what they shared with us.

For me it’s learning what the ancestors did back then how they grew their food how they cooked it what other resources did they use to make a living before the Spanish and Japanese came and before we were a U.S. territory. You learn great respect and how to get that respect being a Chamorro is like any other foreigner we had to strive to where we are at today we didn’t have people helping us back then our ancestors had to do everything on their own from building a canoe, constructing a hut for the families to live in create spears to hunt for fish or animals the latte stone which is the rock that represents Guam cause it means strength being a Chamorro you learn to deal with things on your own with natural resources. The Chamorro now should not be ashamed where they came from only the people who don’t want to know or learn looses that and that makes them ashame of where they came from. The Fanogue Chamorro and Inifresi, says it all tgats we stand by that 100%. The latte stone represents strength, Puti tai nobio represents beauty, our carabao represents hard work, our Guam flag represents us as being a proud Chamorro!!!! Just wanted to include that as you made me think about what being a Chamorro really means so now I got so much running in my head that I want to put it out there.
-Dawn, living in Southern Guam

Being a chamorro to me means you know who you are. You know where you come from, your home, and your family. The way you were raised knowing all the traditions, food and respect for the culture. Growing up being taught that makes you proud of your island and yourself!
-Tina Guevara Cruz, living in Dededo, Guam

Below, is what members of Håle’ Para Agupa’ said it means to be Chamorro:

•Unique People (We are different in a good way)
•Come from a long line of strong women
•Respect (important to me and my family, respect is not something that has to be earned,)
•Adversity (strength to push through)
•Inclusive (we include everyone Chamorro or not, we welcome everyone)
•Language (to speak fluently)
•Giving (Chen’chule)
•Religion
•Fiestas (giving and taking, “buletan”)
•Island Diversity (blended cultures)
•Strong Culture
•We are a part of a very special culture