[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/dev2.idealguam.com\/kumision\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Utugrafihan-CHamoru-Guahan_Header-BG_w1980.jpg” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”50px||50px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”100px||100px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”align-self: center;” border_style_all=”none” border_width_right=”1px” border_color_right=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Bebas Neue||||||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”50px” text_line_height=”50px” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
N\u00e5\u2019an Lug\u01fbt<\/p>\n
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Guam Place Names<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Helvetica Bold|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#333333″ text_font_size=”26px” text_line_height=”26px” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Atorid\u01fbt[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”–et_global_body_font||on||||||” text_text_color=”#333333″ text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”20px” custom_margin=”10px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Scope of Authority<\/p>\n
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Indigenous CHamoru place names contain cultural\u202d, \u202chistorical\u202d, \u202cand environmental information that reveal much about our people\u2019s relationship to place over time\u202d.\u202c As place names are forgotten or replaced\u202d, \u202cimportant historical knowledge that can support our efforts to reclaim and reinforce the CHamoru heritage are lost forever\u202d. \u202cIn order to advance the cause of CHamoru revitalization and cultural self-determination\u202d,\u202c the Kumisi\u00f3n has for many years made a concerted effort to advocate for the per\u202dpetuation of indigenous place names\u202d. \u202cWhen the Gu\u00e5han Legislature enacted Public\u202d \u202cLaw 33-236\u202d, \u202cthe Kumisi\u00f3n i Fino\u2019 CHamoru was also charged with serving as the Kumisi\u00f3n i Na\u2019an Lug\u01fbt\u202d (\u202cGuam Place Name Commission\u202d).\u202c
\u202c
The duties and responsibilities outlined in the Guam Code Annotated Section 88105\u202d (\u202cl\u202d)\u202c and\u202d (\u202cm\u202d) \u202cprovide legal support to the efforts of the Kumisi\u00f3n to revive\u202d, \u202creinforce\u202d, \u202cand perpetuate the CHamoru language and culture through place naming\u202d. \u202cThe Kumisi\u00f3n oversees and approves all of the proposed changes, alterations\u202d, \u202cor renaming of place names in Gu\u00e5han through it\u2019s
Kumit\u00e9han\u202d Na\u2019an Lug\u01fbt\u202d. \u202c<\/p>\n
While the Kumisi\u00f3n has been charged with the restoration of indigenous place names\u202d,\u202c there are limits to our jurisdiction. \u202cWe have no formal role in deciding the names of roads\u202d, \u202cschools\u202d, \u202cvillages\u202d, \u202cor the boundaries between municipalities\u202d. \u202cPublic facilities or named areas like parks are usually designated by the Guam Legislature\u202d. The Kumisi\u00f3n does, however, have jurisdiction over the naming of rivers and streams\u202d, \u202csummits\u202d, \u202carea\u202d\/\u202clocale\u202d, \u202csprings\/water basins\u202d, \u202cbeaches\u202d, \u202cbays\u202d, \u202cvalleys\u202d, \u202ccapes\/points\u202d, \u202cplanned unit\u202d \u202cdevelopments\u202d, \u202cand commonly-used names\u202d. \u202cThis is consistent with the use of the term \u201c\u202cgeographical features\u201d as used by the Board of Geographic Names\u202d (\u202cBGN\u202d) \u202cof the\u202d \u202cUS\u202d \u202cGeological\u202d \u202cSurvey\u202d. \u202c<\/p>\n
Political jurisdictions like the municipalities\u202d (\u202cor villages\u202d) \u202cor the island itself\u202d (\u202cGuam\u202d, \u202cnot Gu\u00e5han\u202d) \u202cwill only change if accompanied by legal action from the Government of Guam\u202d. \u202cThe recent changes to five village names have been submitted in accordance with Guam Public Law\u202d. \u202cThe name change to Hag\u00e5t\u00f1a will automatically change to Hag\u00e5t\u00f1a River\u202d, \u202cbut will not affect Agana Heights\u202d. \u202cThe river is a geograph\u202dical feature whereas the latter is a political jurisdiction\u202d.<\/p>\n
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US Geological Survey<\/p>\n
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Guam Hydrologic Survey<\/p>\n
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The US Board of Geographic Names\u202d (\u202cBGN\u202d) \u202cwas first established in 1890\u202d \u202cand formed by Public Law\u202d (\u202c80-242\u202d) \u202cin 1947\u202d. \u202cThe main purpose is to maintain uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal Government\u202d. \u202cThe BGN is under the United States Geological Survey\u202d, \u202cDepartment of Interior\u202d. \u202cIn carrying out its functions\u202d, \u202cthe Geographic Names Information System\u202d (\u202cGNIS\u202d) \u202cmaintains the list of geographic names\u202d. \u202cGeographic names generally apply to rivers\u202d, \u202ccoastlines\u202d, \u202ctraditional places\u202d,\u202c mountains\u202d, \u202cand other geographic features\u202d. \u202cThey do not apply to political jurisdictions unless there is specific political action via legislation\u202d. \u202cGeographic names do not apply to official designations for buildings\u202d, \u202cparks\u202d, \u202cor facilities\u202d.<\/p>\n
\u202cAs agreed in a meeting on July 27\u202d, \u202c2022\u202d, \u202cthe Kumisi\u00f3n i Fino\u2019 CHamoru is now officially recognized as the body from which the BGN will receive information regarding geographic names for Guam\u202d. \u202cHistorically\u202d, \u202cthey received input from a\u202d \u202cvariety of sources including the Department of Defense and the Department of Interior\u202d. \u202cAny information regarding official changes and future geographic changes will be accepted by the BGN Census Bureau\u202d \/ \u202cCivil Division if they come from the Kumisi\u00f3n\u202d.\u202c<\/p>\n
Future federal government maps and information as listed in the GNIS will follow the decisions of the Kumisi\u00f3n if the Kumisi\u00f3n proceeds in accordance with its own processes as required by Guam Public Law\u202d. \u202cInternet mapping will likely follow the\u202d \u202clead of the Kumisi\u00f3n as\u202d \u202creflected in the GNIS\u202d.<\/p>\n
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N\u00e5\u2019an Lug\u01fbtGuam Place NamesAtorid\u01fbtScope of AuthorityIndigenous CHamoru place names contain cultural\u202d, \u202chistorical\u202d, \u202cand environmental information that reveal much about our people\u2019s relationship to place over time\u202d.\u202c As place names are forgotten or replaced\u202d, \u202cimportant historical knowledge that can support our efforts to reclaim and reinforce the CHamoru heritage are lost forever\u202d. \u202cIn order to advance […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"
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Pinila\u2019<\/p>
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Translation<\/p>
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CHamoru is one of Gu\u00e5han\u2019s two official languages. \u202cAs such\u202d, \u202cit needs to be\u202d \u202crecognized and utilized as an equal medium of communication in the public sector\u202d. \u202cThe tedious but important work of translating written English into CHamoru text in alignment with our orthography is a key component of\u202d \u202cbuilding CHamoru literacy\u202d. \u202cThe Kumisi\u00f3n provides translations to the Governor\u2019s Office and the Guam Legislature when needed. \u202cNumerous other requests for\u202d \u202cassistance from both public and private entities and individuals are received daily\u202d. \u202cWhile we are not able to provide translations for all requests\u202d, \u202cthe Kumisi\u00f3n\u2019s Fino\u2019 Committee does engage regularly in providing assistance or referring interested parties to a list of Board vetted CHamoru translators\u202d. The Kumisi\u00f3n offers a Seal of Affirmation to written translations that are in alignment with the Gu\u00e5han\u2019s Official CHamoru Orthography.<\/p>
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