Mo’na: Finding our Way
Indigenous Women’s Resistance and Organization
By Terilyn Francisco and Monaeka Flores
I Hagan Famalao’an Guahan (IHFG)
Abstract: I Hagan Famalao’an Guåhan (IHFG), Incorporated is the indigenous CHamoru Women’s Association of Guåhan and is founded on the collective mission to enhance, promote, protect and foster the social, economic, cultural, spiritual and political well-being of CHamoru women, girls and gender- diverse people within the overall Guåhan community. IHFG honors the CHamoru women of Guåhan as the link of their mangåffa and the predecessors of todu i nananmåmi (our mothers). IHFG is sustained by the kåhna (spirit force) of our ancestors and our sacred connection to our lands and waters. IHFG pushes back against the conventional notion that CHamoru women’s voices do not need amplification and that carving out a sovereign space is problematic. Rather, IHFG centers, honors, and uplifts CHamoru women’s voices while also examining, analyzing and interpreting historical roles of CHamoru women in the Marianas in the webinar series, “Mo'na: Finding Our Way.” This presentation will discuss the history of CHamoru women’s resistance and fight for self- determination, and the many ways CHamoru women have dedicated their lives and resources to this fight.
Zoom Recording
