Micronesian Islanders in Oregon

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Micronesian Islanders in Oregon Islanders of Micronesia Understanding the History and Context of Micronesian Islander Health in Oregon Joe Enlet Consul General Consulate General of the Federated States of Micronesia Oceania and Sub-groups Colonial History • A history of colonialism ▫ Spain – 1885 ▫ Germany - 1899 ▫ Japan - 1914 ▫ U.S. - 1945 U.S. Relations in Micronesia • Guam – Territory of the U.S. • Trust Territory of Pacific Islands ▫ Palau ▫ Chuuk ▫ Pohnpei ▫ Yap ▫ Kosrae ▫ Marshall Islands ▫ Northern Marianas 1950’s – Bomb Testings • Marshall Islands - 67 Nuclear bomb tests. • Equivalent to 7000 times the force of the Hiroshima Bomb. Immediate & Long-term Effects of Nuclear Fallout ❖Death toll ❖Approximately 5,000 people displaced ❖Fallout consisted of coral rock, soil, and other debris sucked up in the fireball and made intensively radioactive by the nuclear reaction. ❖Birth defects, cancer, mental retardation, and suicides, in addition to the thyroid disorders, among the local population, high numbers of miscarriages and stillbirths. ❖Jelly-fish babies U.S. Relations (Today) • Guam – Territory of the U.S. (U.S. Citizens) • Common Wealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (US Nationals) • Federated States of Micronesia ▫ Chuuk • COMPACT OF ▫ Pohnpei FREE ▫ Yap ASSOCIATION ▫ Kosrae (COFA) • Republic of Palau • Republic of The Marshall Islands Micronesia region & COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION NATIONS COMPACT Provisions ❖Government Relations ✓Constitutional Democracy ❖Economic Relations ✓Free trade ✓Grant assistance ✓Health and medical programs ❖Security and Defense Relations ✓Military Protection ❖General Provisions ✓Both parties agree on Compact agreements ✓Outlines process of amending or terminating Compact Changes in Micronesia • Cultural • Economic • Health • Social • Religious • Migration • Life-style & Diet Immigration – Popular destinations • Guam • Hawaii • Oregon – largest concentration of COFA islanders on the U.S. mainland. It is estimated that there are more than 10,000 COFA islanders in Oregon. • Kansas Missouri • Springdale, Arkansas 1996 - Personal Work Opportunity and Responsibility Act • A.K.A “Welfare Reform Act” – The Act made COFA islanders categorically ineligible for Medicaid and almost all federal safety net programs such as: ▫ Medicaid – (OHP) except for CAWEM ▫ Food stamps ▫ TANF ▫ SSI benefits ▫ Federal student loans Climate Change • Effects of Climate Change ▫ Rising sea-levels causing floods and erosion ▫ Rising salinity and temperature causing decrease in fish and healthy reefs ▫ Dying crops Micronesians in Oregon • Reasons for outmigration ▫ Education ▫ Job opportunities ▫ Healthcare ▫ Seeking a “better” life ▫ Climate Change Community Organizing/Advocacy • COFA Premium Assistance Program – passed in 2016 by Oregon legislature. • Similar program passed in 2018 by Washington State legislature Community Organizing/Advocacy • Ongoing outreach enrollment events Current PI specific work at Multnomah County • Pacific Islander Coalition Current PI specific work at Multnomah County • Pacific Islander Coalition Thank you! .
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