IG GA October 2018

Independent Guåhan will honor the late Ron Teehan and Discuss Managing Natural Resources in their October General Assembly

For Immediate Release, October 15, 2018 
Independent Guåhan (IG) invites the public to attend its October General Assembly (GA) on Thursday, October 25th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Main Pavilion of the Chamorro Village in Hagåtña. These assemblies are part of IG’s efforts to educate the community on the need for Guåhan’s decolonization and the potential benefits through achieving independence. This month’s GA will focus on how Guam might better manage its natural resources as an independent country.   

At eachGA, Independent Guåhan honors a maga’taotao: a notable figure that has helped guide the island and the Chamoru people on their quest for self-determination. For October, IG will be honoring the late Ron Franquez Teehan, a long-time advocate for the rights of the Chamoru people who passed away earlier this year.   

1982 Ron joined Robert Underwood and the late Ron Rivera to become the first Chamorus to formally testify before the Fourth Committee of the United Nations on the political status of Guam. As a member of the group OPR-R (Organization of the Rights for Indigenous People) he worked to give Chamorus greater ability to define themselves locally and internationally and helped developed solidarity with other countries and decolonization movements. Ron also spent decades working on the issues of land rights and war reparations for the Chamoru people, working closely with the Guam Landowners Association and the Chamorro Land Trust. Independent Guåhan is proud to honor the legacy of Ron Teehan for its October GA. 

As an island, sustainability and the protection of Guam’s resources must always be of paramount importance. As a gateway to the United States and the tip of America’s military spear, in what ways does being a colony of the United States prevent the island from being able to effectively maintain its resource base? How could Guam learn from other countries, in particular in the Pacific, that are working to sustain and develop their own natural resources and environment? Those hoping to learn more about these questions and more importantly their answers, are encouraged to attend this month’s GA and join the discussion. 

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