Why are we doing this survey?
We aim to conduct the largest Guåhan-specific survey focusing on those who identify as Chamorro. Much of the existing survey data on Chamorros tend to focus on community deficits, and fail to capture the diversity and vibrancy of the Chamorro community. This survey examines Chamorro identity, community concerns and self-determination.
Our goals are to build:
Our project has been approved by
Our goals are to build:
- a community engaged and informed survey through partnerships and collaborations.
- community capacity and partnership for data-driven, evidence-based policymaking
- a survey that amplifies the diverse voices of the Chamorro community
Our project has been approved by
- Hawai‘i Pacific University's Institutional Review Board | Reference No.: 56042021031
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology's COUHES | Reference No.: E-3336
- University of Guam's Committee on Human Research Subjects | Reference No.: 21-98
Two promises to the Chamorro communities of Guåhan
1. Through its collected findings, generate practical insights to inform the outreach strategy of public education campaigns around self-determination and the impact of Guåhan's current political status.
2. Through its research process, build the research capacity of the Chamorro community, through three primary strategies:
2. Through its research process, build the research capacity of the Chamorro community, through three primary strategies:
- In the data collection and analysis phase (mid-July to mid-August), we will recruit and train Chamorro research assistants and field coordinators, who will have access to the survey data as well as hands-on, guided experience with survey data collection and academic paper-writing.
- Within three months after data collection is completed (January 2022), we will publish a publicly accessible report of descriptive survey findings
- Within one year, in conjunction with community stakeholders, we will participate in discussions about the terms of survey data-sharing and to inform development of additional educational materials using survey data
Chamorro values grounding this survey
For Indigenous communities in Guåhan and across Oceania, social science research has often been extractive and harmful. Decolonizing social science research requires the re-centering of Indigenous epistemology, and establishing genuine accountability to Indigenous communities. In consultation with community stakeholders, this project is grounded in four central Chamorro values:
(1) Inafa’maolek (to make good) - by incorporating feedback of community stakeholders throughout the research process;
(2) Respetu (respect) - by including the voices of the manåmko’ (elders);
(3) Inagofli’e’ (having each other’s back) - by including the voices of Chamorros across the political spectrum; and
(4) Mana’ayuda (cooperation) - by working with community stakeholders to translate research findings into public education materials.
(1) Inafa’maolek (to make good) - by incorporating feedback of community stakeholders throughout the research process;
(2) Respetu (respect) - by including the voices of the manåmko’ (elders);
(3) Inagofli’e’ (having each other’s back) - by including the voices of Chamorros across the political spectrum; and
(4) Mana’ayuda (cooperation) - by working with community stakeholders to translate research findings into public education materials.