My name is Jean Dimaano. I was born in the Philippines and migrated to Guam when I just turned 12 years old. While growing in the Philippines, I would be called and teased names related to my fair colored skin (unlike a “typical brown colored skin” of Filipinos). My parents told me that our ancestors were not only Filipino but we have Spanish and Chinese bloodline…

Let’s back track… Let me give a brief summary of my homeland Philippines. Philippines was conquered by the Spanish, Japanese, and United States. Later United States liberated Philippines and a Mutual Defense Treaty was signed in August 30, 1951 and were agreed upon both countries that if in the event that one country was to be attacked, they will support each other. One reason why there are US military bases around Philippines.

In the Philippines, I remember I used to go outside the house everyday and play with my cousins. We always have family gathering (with extended relatives) when it comes to holiday and celebrate it as a family. This is the time, we talk to our elders such as grandparents and uncles and aunties. I remember using telephone (with cord) but not allowed to use it for long. I watch television but not for long also. Majority of my memories was playing with my cousins using our imaginations. It was fun childhood I have to admit.

I have relatives all around the world, but one thing that my relatives had instill in me that was America was the land of opportunity. When my mom told me that we were being petitioned and will be living in US (Guam), I felt very sad as I had to say goodbye to my classmates and scared because I do not know what to expect in this new country with new people and new surroundings.

Eventually, we migrated to live with my father in Guam… a “US soil” and life goes on for me… this girl who just turned 12 years old was about to enter 6th grade (middle school life). My first year in middle school was tough…. I was teased and bullied and was called “FOB” (I’m sure majority knows what this stands for “Fresh of the Boat”). I understand English but was not versed and comfortable in speaking. I made friends as well as enemies in school. It was one of the great and worse experience. During this period, I experienced being a victim of racism. People does not like me just because I am FOB and from Philippines. I eventually learned to fight back and stand up for myself and friends so they would leave me alone. I fought not with different ethnic background who bullied me but ironically Filipino who was born and raised on Guam who looks at me as if I was nobody because I barely speak English. This was confusing for me at that age. My new friends were the same as me, “FOB’s” and they are still my friends up to this day.

Years passed by, I became westernized. I inherited westernized culture and ways. I picked it up easily I would say. I was exposed with westernized education system. I speak English, learned to dressed up “cool”, listen to westernized type of music, colored my hair…

After high school, I pursued my college education because my mother told me that education is wealth and cannot be taken away from me. I was also consumed with my personal achievements as we live in a money-based economy… “if you want something, you must work and earn money”… this is another westernized mentality I must admit I continuously have acquired.

When I was an undergrad student, I remember having Tagalog 101 class and I would argue with my “Ginang”- my professor (“Mrs”) regarding my grades. I know I speak fluent Tagalog, however, when test score comes in I sometimes won’t get A’s but B’s… I would argue this and say I can literally speak in Tagalog so why am I getting B’s… My Ginang would jokingly say ” You are a fake Filipina” because I pretty much grew up in US and have not been taught how to properly use the native language. She explains certain phrases and even how to say dates and I was surprised that I did not really know lots of details. I did not know of this not until I had Tagalog class.

Being a single mother, a social work student (classes I have taken that educated me to include this class), and a social worker, I have learned about the concept of decolonization and how colonization affects not just the person but the entire community. I have learned that I am a product of colonization as a non-indigenous person who call Guam my home. I highly respect Chamorro people and love the diversity in Guam.

As an adult, who continuously is learning about the concept of decolonization, I know how to look back and respect my elder and their history. My grandmother who I miss dearly. I am not who I am and where I am without her. I wish to learn more from her.

No matter what the past is… it is who we are…. we look and appreciate and learn from past mistake…

Family. I have been raised and taught that family is very important.

What is our rights in a colonized country? A lot is a privilege… it can always be taken away… education and advocating for the oppressed ones are important to decolonized ones mindset.

This class made me think deep into my roots. I have not really thought about the different issues around the world and also realized that I AM a product of colonization. Everything and everyone is affected by colonization whether this is through education, healthcare, family system, political/justice system, etc. As a social worker, this will help me be better … to respect and be understanding to the indigenous people.

People will ask me who I am and where I am from. I would answer by saying I am Filipino born in the Philippines but raised in Guam. I wish to learn more about the Philippines. I do not know much about the history, politics, healthcare system, and education system. Depending where in the Philippines, if it’s in City, they strive for better opportunities while people living in provinces, some may see it differently where some may still be contented with their way of living.. not so much into money based economy where they live by farming, fishing, and planting. I love my homeland but Guam is home.

• How do you think social workers should or should not participate in this discussion?  Do you think NASW Hawai`i should come out in support of one particular position?

Social workers definitely should participate in activities that promote self determination. Social workers have ethical standards we follow under National Association of Social Workers. Per NASW, as social workers our responsibilities are: strengthen and unify the profession, promote the development of social work practice, and advance sound social policies.

Social workers may continue to provide education through the State of Hawaii regarding their rights and how this will affect them holistically.

Information retrieved from https://socialwork.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NASW-Code-of-Ethics2017.pdf

• What differences in language did you notice in the readings and in the video in regards to sovereignty, de-occupation, federal recognition, etc.?

Wutzke Dependent Independent readings, I felt as it is very objective and provide emphasis on the meaning of sovereignty and federal recognition. Lots of the information provided, I had to google and find out what the meaning was and what was the issues. Guam, where I lived for most of my life, has been going through same issues with Hawaii and I know other islands in the Pacific as well.. whether they can sustain their own islands without relying to US and/or other countries and sustain themselves. This is interesting for me. I never really thought about the decolonization prior to this class.

• How do you think you can and should participate in advocating around this issue?  Have you previously participated in advocacy work around this issue?

I would learn more about the issues and pros and cons. As a social worker, I would educate myself and then education the people regarding the issues involve. I participated in advocating for a certain cause but not regarding political status. Guam who is also going through the same dilemma, I have been educating myself in the pros and cons… I do not have stance on this but more so learning about it. I have a better understanding of why Chamorros have concerns about military build up on Guam because of several readings we in this class.

• Where do you personally stand on the issue?  Did the video and readings help clarify this?

Personally and professionally, I think that Hawaiians should really look at all aspects on the pros and cons. I do understand that with colonization, Hawaiians did not have an option to begin with to be part of US. I never thought that this was such a big deal and made a huge impact not only to the native people, the land, the culture and the overall country but the feeling of being inferior and effects of colonization.

The video and readings basically brought me back when I was a social work student and discussion regarding Guam’s political status. Guam is part of US, being a territory. Guam has delegate to represent the island but does not have a voice… so what the heck is this supposed to mean for Guam…

• Were you previously familiar with the Indian Child Welfare Act?

I have only heard about this during this class and somehow I am thinking how did I missed this news whether through social media or through school social studies history class. This is one historical movement with the Native Indians.

• What did you think of the different interviewee perspectives in the video?

Megan Lindsey’s, perspective strikes me when she mentioned that newborn is not affected in this case due to having no exposure to her linear heritage and culture. This is like saying that as long as a child was removed from day one and has not been exposed to his culture then this should not be such a case under ICWA and be excused. I was a little surprised about this but then again it is sad to say but this is what happens in the justice system. People will make this appalling points and sometimes be manipulative and worse when media is involved because they make news looks exaggerated. It is unfortunate that in this situations, people are not given the opportunity to know and experience who they are, that is why adopted children would seek answer and try to find out who they are when they become adults.

Meanwhile Mary Jo Hunter points out that people should remain and learn their heritage and culture and way of preserving ones culture is by preserving its people.

• What do you think about the Supreme Court’s decision on Baby Veronica?

I was initially appalled by this. First, I felt like as if the justice system failed Baby Veronica and her biological father. I say fail Baby Veronica in a way of learning her roots and being able to experience her own heritage aside from the life of being with her biological father. She already lost her biological mother, then now the justice system failed to give her the chance to be with her biological father who is fighting for her. Whatever happens to the ICWA…

Now, the justice system failed her biological father by not giving him an opportunity to raise her own baby. This is sad for me as I have been used to Guam that when it comes to adoption, Child Protective Services seek to find the “next of kin” rather than giving the child to adoptive parents CPS searches for relatives (blood related) and somehow I see this as giving a child an opportunity to learn his/her own culture and linear heritage and preserving and respecting a child’s culture.

In Westernized way, we look at the best interest of the child. I think that this is a very difficult topic and Mayne I would still need to learn and read more about Baby Veronica’s biological father and his background to include his culture, but just based on what I know on the readings and video I feel that justice system failed Baby Veronica and her biological father in the aspects of learning and experiencing who Baby Veronica really is.

• How does colonization play into this case and eventual decision?

I try to understand what colonization and after this readings, I thought that this was definitely a good example in a justice system perspective. The inconsideration of ones culture and community was disregarded and was only focused on “what is best for the child”. Who can say what is best for a child in this case? There’s different cultures and everyone sees things differently. One maybe contented and happy with playing outside with whatever surrounding elements are available, such as sun, moon, air, water, trees, land, soil, etc, others maybe toys, iPad, skateboards, bicycle, computer games, etc. Who say which is better than another?

It is unfortunate that justice system does not consider looking through the lens of a person and his/her culture.

• How do these research methods differ from other research methods you are familiar with?

The most that I am familiar with is the traditional research quantitative method where goals, participants, results, discussions are identified and explained. I’m familiar with research that is more objective, direct, precise, and concise. Valli Kalei Kanuha, connecting and being “insider-outsider/subjective-objective” was quite interesting for me. I found that this an interesting way to do social work research as researcher connects and engages with topic.

In addition, indigenizing evaluation methods interest me. I would be interested to read a research method related to Philippines and I would think that I would learn more about my ancestry back home. Unlike, the traditional research method were I am most familiar with.

• Do you think all of these methods are fully “decolonized” – why or why not?

I am not sure if they would be considered fully decolonized but I think they are more decolonized than what I have read in the past. It was indigenous based research with a touch of western methodologies.

• Do any of these methods resonate more with you than others?

Majority of them do. I was not familiar with other research methods than the traditional methods until after having this class. I feel like I want to connect more with the indigenous people and learn more from them and be able to compare them with western ways. Before having this class, spiritually and emotionally, I have not really thought so much about decolonization and colonization and all these different types of research methods. Although, I have been exposed with Guam’s political issues with decolonization but have not really thought about it so much and feel guilty that I am so in tuned with my personal life. When I visited Hawaii, I noticed upside down Hawaii flags and became more attentive with native Hawaiians outcry, to hear their voice about decolonization and respecting their lands when I heard the issues about Mauna Kea. This made me realized about other places such as my homeland Philippines and how colonization affects the native Filipinos. Then I reflected on previous protest on different places because of oppression due to colonization.

• How might your identity as native or non-native impact your research with indigenous groups?

Similar to my answer in previous question, I am slowly absorbing what I am learning in this class and now who I identify as a native Filipino raised in Guam. I call Guam as my home as I have been living here most of my life, I highly respect the indigenous people. Although I am not proficient with the culture due to exposure with the western ways through technology and education, I am seen as an outsider.

•Have you always thought of history and research as generally “good”? Has your perspective changed after this week’s reading and video? How?

When I was growing up and exposed to (particularly) elementary, I was interested in learning history. I remember learning history and not really thinking so much about research. I found history good and interesting and somehow mesmerized how they were able to document what has happened in the past and how it changed and impacted today’s society. Interestingly, knowing what I have read now, I never actually thought or reflected on the emotions of the indigenous people and how they feel about the change and changes that occurred. I’ve always just thought that it is mostly a positive change rather than negative, but it is not always the case.

But after the readings, I have thought what could have been if some of the history was different or what if there was no colonialism, could society be better or not. I am sure there’s pros and cons. I still continue to learn decolonization and continuously learning to reflect on emotions that was not emphasized so much on history.  

I feel that I have more connections and appreciate if I were to learn history and research now.           

•What do you think about Tuhiwai Smith problematizing the words: imperialism, history, writing and theory?

I think the words used imperialism, history, writing, and theory pertains to indigenous people and western people. I never thought of how would indigenous reflect when research and history is written in western people.  

•How might you read or think about research now that you have read and listened to Tuhiwai’s discussion of research?

I would like to read and think through the lens of the indigenous people and not just based on what is written. I would be  more critical and possibly question if questionable and not just trust everything I read.

•How might this information apply to social workers interested in doing research?

This is definitely important information to social workers. We need to be transparent and be critical in researcher and information gatherers on any topic and information that we see.   

• Meyer quotes many other kumu and practitioners in her article – were there any quotes that resonated with you and why?

“We had three houses on this one lot and they were all family, and there were all these kids. I thought my brother was my uncle, but that was really my brother (laughter!). It was just because we had all these extended people around, it was a lot to make sense of who was who. There was no way to distinguish. There were no strangers. (Ho’oipo DeCambra, 8 March 1997).

I have heard the word “Ohana” from the movie Lilo and Stitch which I really liked and reminds me of this quote. The quote shared by Meyer reminds me of my childhood growing up in a big family compound. I remember there were few houses in a family owned property. My family and extended relatives such as aunts and uncles and their children lives. In the morning I would be playing with my cousins and the same time be fighting with them (common part of playing). As a young child, I knew who was my cousins and of course siblings but I get confused who’s my uncles, aunts, and grandparents. I like this quote because it definitely is about connection and maintaining family relationships. Also that knowledge is through communication which becomes a gift of learning, learning one’s culture.

• What differences did you notice between how Meyer speaks (in her video last week) and how she writes.  Was one of them more impactful to you and why?

I think that Meyer ways of educating whether through her writing or her video were not different. She uses quote and Hawaiian words to better relate to her audiences which I enjoy. Reading the article, I felt as If I was just watching her video. I admire her way of teaching. She uses quote to capture her audience.

• What do you think about the seven principles of indigenous worldviews?  Do you think anything needs to be added to that list?

The seven principles actually brought me somewhere. I appreciate each one as it is definitely correct and amazing to just think about. The most that I know before reading the article is the fifth which is the land is sacred. I know that for indigenous people, land is something that is very sacred. Although, the seventh makes me wonder which is human beings are least important in the world. I do not think anything needs to be added to the list.

• Is your academic worldview mostly informed by western or native worldviews?  Why is that?  Do you think it can and should change?

I do not have so much knowledge or connection with my native background so I believe that mostly of my academic worldview is mostly informed by western worldview. I have been more influenced academically through the western worldviews. Having to read articles regarding indigenous worldview actually makes me want to connect myself on the indigenous people whether if it’s my heritage or not. It is very interesting how to see their actual perspective on life, spirit, knowledge, land, relationship, culture, etc.

Do I think it can or should change? Well not necessarily change but learn more. I appreciate my western worldview and if not for it then I would not be interested to learn about the native side.. but I wish to continue learning about the native perspective and hopefully be able to spread and educate the academically westernized society as a social worker.

• How will you share the new knowledge that you gain through this course?

These are knowledge that definitely will be retain and embedded in my brain, spirit, and heart. I truly appreciate the readings as it is a reminder that everything that is needed is around us. Human beings are so consumed and busy with achieving goals or other things but to stop and realized that life, land, relationship, culture, and being connected spiritually is such an amazing feeling.

• How have you learned what you have learned?  Where does your knowledge come from?

I have learned through my life experience and values (culturally) that the elders have instill in me while growing up. I have to admit that my culture has made a huge impact on how I perceived and define things. The experiences that I have encountered in my life have made me look at things differently and appreciate those life experiences because I see it in a unique way. For instance, becoming a social worker, I see situations differently and learned to look at it without judgement or biases which I think is the beauty of becoming a social worker.

• How do you think your western education has impacted your knowledge and how you learn?

Western education definitely has a huge impact and influenced me a lot aside from life experiences. With the video from Manu, she has great points and made me realized that I do not know so much from the indigenous people. I questioned myself, should I gained knowledge from indigenous people from the Philippines or Guam. I call Guam as my home but my roots are from Philippines that I do not know so much about history. Migrating to Guam at 12 years of age, being westernized has changed me as a Filipino.

• Have you gained knowledge in non-western ways?  What did you learn and how?

I want to say yes and that would be through the Filipino elders living on Guam (who still practice the Filipino culture) and mostly my mother who I look up to the most. She would do ways and mentioned ways in Filipino culture and how certain things are done differently. She would mentioned that I am fortunate that I have come to live in the US to live in the land of the free and how my life can have so much opportunities.

When I visit Philippines, I still admire how seeing people are contented with their basic knowledge of farming and fishing with their everyday life. I admire that they are not into materialistic, branded, etc things but contented that there’s food on the table for their family and that their family are together and safe. Just like some children who plays outside using whatever natural elements that is available but still have fun playing unlike being consumed with technology and such.

• How important might place-based knowledge be to the practice of social work?

I think that place-base knowledge is very important to the practice of social work. It is knowing the root of the person and/or situation and putting that in perspective will helps understand a person. This is part of being culturally competent on a person which is one of the code of ethics in social worker. Being able to understand where a person is coming from or why a person is behaving or reacting in certain way is one of the most important characteristic in social work field.

• Why do you think Manu doesn’t want people to take written notes while she is speaking?
  How might that contradict with how we have been trained to learn?

I actually found this very interesting which makes a lot of sense, In the beginning of the video, I wanted to take notes as well as I was not familiar with Hawaiian words and wanted to learn what she was saying while she translate it. However, she mentioned that no one is to take notes because she wanted everyone to just stop and focus everything on what she has to say. I truly believe on what she had said. I am a forgetful myself the reason why I would take notes but as I continue to listen to her, I appreciate her discussion much more.

It is interesting that as a student, I have been so used and trained in taking notes during discussion. I appreciate her discussion and I believe that hearing and listening to her rather that hearing her and writing notes are very different. I’d rather listen as I absorb and understand the discussion and points. I appreciate this video.

After so much thought, I finally decided that for this final project, I would do digital storytelling since I enjoy visual learning. I would share my personal story of decolonization ( and colonization) how I migrated to Guam when I turned 12 (in the middle of having friends back in my homeland Philippines) and soon calling Guam my home (as a Filipino migrant). I will share how decolonization and colonization both in my homeland and now what I call my home has impacted me as a person. Without revealing too much, I find this quite interesting as it will also make me think deeper on things that I have not really thought about that for sure has impacted me a lot as a person I am today.

• How do you experience privilege and power as a social worker?

Having the ability to be part of a person’s lives and knowing their struggles and being able to assist them and advocate to help them is a privilege and power as a social worker. As a social worker, I have been touched so many times by clients personal lives, their struggles/suffering, difficult life decisions and so on and just having the privilege to know their life story and being the person they trust to help them is such an amazing privilege. Being the person to speak up to those who are unable to speak for themselves or their family, or those who are confused or afraid because of circumstances they are in is such a privilege and rewarding experience for a social worker. There are times as a social worker, I feel that I have power to advocate for my clients. There are agencies who may act in a positive way when social workers are involved.

• How important is culture in the field/profession of social work?

Culture is one of the most important part of social worker knowledge. This is also one of the main things I have learned as a social worker in undergrad. Being able to understand and respect ones culture is an important aspect as a social worker. For instance, I have encountered in my work as a medical social worker, where decisions need to be made by family regarding patient’s plan of care and family refused to make decision and would like to defer to their oldest male relative. As a social worker, I educate the medical team that family hats be respected because that is their culture to have high regard to their oldest male family member versus next of kin. Culture affects person way of making decision and just overall how they may react to circumstances.

• How important are indigenous voices and practices in social work?

Indigenous voices and practices are very important because basically this is home. It is the root of how things have become. Social worker looks at the holistic approach and not just consider what is obvious but looks at the whole picture including the history and practices to better understand and respect a client.

• What is your overall reaction to the film? Did you previously know about the Stolen Generations?j

I was very much surprised and emotional with this film. I enjoyed watching true to life stories like this and makes me reflect on current life and situation. This made me realized how the government has improved so much and at the same time I cannot believe that the government caused something as such to happen for 100 years. I emphasized for all the victims and everyone that was affected about this. It is a lifelong trauma. I have never heard of Stolen Generations in the past. I am grateful that they have made this film to provide education and awareness to people that this unfortunately happened and is written in Australian history.

• The concept of the Stolen Generations is still controversial in Australia. Some Australians deny the idea, while others recognize it and agree that these children and their families suffered greatly. Why do you think people deny this?

Some Australians recognized because it is written in history and they want to learn from this and provide awareness to everyone that it caused so much damaged to victims and families and their government. It is a lesson learned to their government and to the rest of the world. Some may be in denial because they may be embarrassed that their government and people had allowed this type of laws for several years. It can also be that they refused to be responsible for the damages it caused.

• What do you think has been the impact on the Aboriginal community in Australia? Do you think it is something that should still be discussed today?

Discussing this is providing education and hopefully healing.

• How do you think history of the Stolen Generations might contribute to people’s experiences today in Australia?

I think they are mindful of government laws and how laws affect their people. I cannot imagine not having a right to your own child and maybe appreciating your family (the children).

• How might you compare this story to what has happened in Hawai’i, Guahan, and other colonized places in the Pacific and Asia?

In Pacific and Asia, which were colonized back then, I am honestly not very familiar with actual events that happened in the past. But for what I heard with elderly, during wars, women or men were also taken away and not being able to speak and have any right to do anything but follow what the government wants must have been hard. I cannot imagine this happening now. So this story of Stolen Generations is similar to other places but in different context. Learning about Stolen Generations makes me realized how lucky I am to have lived in this era where we have freedom to do what we choose.