Facing Diversity: MARSHALLESE STORIES

2017

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 1 2 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories By Suzie Stroud In 2013, I decided to go back to school and inish my college education by earning a bachelor’s degree in social work. Returning to college after a 20 year hiatus was daunting, to say the least, but I felt more invested this time around. This time I was a single-parent juggling classes, work, and a three-year-old.

I had always been a good student—I enjoyed reading and staying up-to-date on current events. I believed I was savvy to issues facing our society, especially in Dubuque. I was born and raised here, and except for the 10-years I lived in Kansas City, I lived in the same house since I was two years old. I thought I knew Dubuque, knew the people living here, knew the culture, and knew how to live as a “Dubuquer.”

Then one day, in a social issues course, my mind was blown. My professor described a demographic living in Dubuque that I had never heard of. She talked about a population that immigrated to the United States out of necessity because their way of life and their land was disappearing. She talked about a place I did not even know existed, half-way around the world, and they live in this community I thought I began talking about the relationship between my knew so well. These people were the Marshallese country and the Marshall Islands, I began to feel that resettled in the U.S. from the Marshall overwhelming sad and disappointed in myself Islands. for not really looking at my community and seeing what was going on around me. I knew I wanted to know more about this culture that I had just learned was an important While searching federal government and na- part of my community. That’s when I came tional press websites, I discovered that between across the Facing Project, a nonproit organi- 1946-1958, 67 nuclear tests were conducted zation with the goal to connect communities by the United States military in the Marshall through storytelling. I thought this would be the Islands. The largest detonation was in 1954 perfect opportunity to educate not only myself, over the Bikini Atoll. This detonation, named but other community members who may know “Castle Bravo,” was 15-megatons. It was much little about the Marshallese culture. This plat- larger than the estimated six to seven megatons, form would offer a safe and empowering avenue and could be seen 2,600 miles away in Okinawa, for the Marshallese people to tell their story. Japan. Castle Bravo’s explosion was 1,000 times That led to a partnership with the Facing Project more powerful than the explosions at Hiroshima and the Inclusive Dubuque Network to produce and Nagasaki, and it was determined that radi- Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories. ation fallout from this explosion was discovered in cattle in Tennessee. A Brief Look at the History of the Marshall Islands The radiation destroyed vegetation, contaminated the water, destroyed ish, and left inhabitants The Marshall Islands are a sprawling chain of of the islands with radiation burns and sickness. volcanic Islands and coral atolls in the central There are stories of children not only playing in Paciic Ocean, between Hawaii and the Philip- the ashes of the fallout, but also ingesting them. pines. In 1944, the U.S. gained control of the is- People were removed from islands and could lands under United Nations auspices as part of no longer go home. According to a Brookings the Trust Territory of the Paciic Islands follow- Institute article, an estimate of 665 inhabitants ing the end of World War II. When my professor were overexposed to radiation. Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 3 In 1985, the Compact of Free Association assimilate to a new culture that is very different (COFA) was created between the United States from their own. and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. In simple terms, this document allows the people I hope as you read these stories, you come to of the Marshall Islands to live and work in the understand not only why these individuals have United States. They are not citizens, they do not been forced to lee their islands, but gain empa- hold Green Cards, but they do have Social Se- thy for the challenges that come with grieving curity cards and numbers. In Iowa, they do not for a lost way of being while also adjusting to a qualify for government beneits such as Medic- foreign culture. aid, Food Stamps, or TANF (cash assistance) Suzie Stroud is coordinator of Facing Diversity: unless they are citizens. Marshallese Stories

Along with the aftereffects of radiation exposure Marshall Islands By the Numbers: from the nuclear testing, there are complications • Population: approximately 70,000 to the Islands as a result of climate change. • They are made up of two archipelagic chains, Most of the Marshall Islands are only six feet with a total of 29 atolls. above sea level so the rising level of our world’s • The average elevation of the islands is only oceans is a great concern to residents. The sea seven feet above sea level. level has risen about one foot in the past 10 years and when high tide occurs, the salt water For more information on the Marshall Islands comes up on land and contaminates their gar- visit these websites: dens and wells for drinking water. http://wapo.st/2pokgwQ As the atolls and islands become more unin- http://bit.ly/2pQKDxY habitable, emigrating to the U.S. under COFA is going to become more of a necessity for the http://bit.ly/2parvfI Marshallese people to survive. When the Mar- shallese relocate to the U.S., not only do http://nyti.ms/2pUkeje they leave their islands behind but they must http://huff.to/1XlKsFa

Marshall Hawaii Islands

The Marshall Islands (circled) . U.S. Government map.

4 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories By Suzie Stroud

Ilo 2013 eo iar pepe n̄an ro̗o̗l im jikuul̗ im kam̗̄j college bwe en w̄r ā bachelor degree. Ke iar bar ro̗o̗l im jino college ̄likin ā kar b̄jrak ium̗win 20 iī, ebwe an kar kak̄m̗k̄m̗ b̄tab ilo t̄re in iar pojak. Ilo t̄re in, ij make lale ajri en nej̄ me jilu an iī, im ilo ejja iien eo w̄t ij poub ilo ao jerbal im jikuul̗.

Aolep iien ij kate ē ilo jikuul̗, em̗m̗an ippa riit im lale nuuj ko rek̄̄l. Iar l̗̄mn̗ak bwe el̗ap ā kar jel̗̄ k̄n w̄ween mour, el̗aptata k̄n w̄ween mour ilo Dubuque. Iar dik im r̄ttol̗o̗k ilo jikin in, b̄tab iar bar jokwe ilo Kansas City ium̗win 10 iī. M̗weo iar jokwe ie ilo Dubuque , iar jokwe ie j̄n ke ekar 2 ā iī. Iar l̗̄mn̗ak el̗ap ā jel̗̄ k̄n Dubuque im armej ro ie kab m̗anit eo ie im bwe ijel̗̄ kilen mour ̄inw̄t juon “armej in Dubuque.”

B̄tab juon raan, ke ear w̄r juon iien k̄mar k̄nono k̄n w̄ween mour an armej, iar lukkuun bwil̄n̄ ke r̄kaki eo ā ej k̄mel̗el̗e k̄n jon̄an l̄n̄in armej in Dubuque, im mel̗el̗e ko ear kwal̗o̗ki ijjan̄in kar ron̄ kaki im ejjel̗o̗k ā jel̗̄ kaki n̄an jidik. Ear kwal̗o̗k k̄n jon̄an armej ro rar em̗m̗ak̄t tok n̄an America k̄nke w̄ween mour ko aer ilo jinoin im ael̄n̄ eo aer ejakol̗o̗k. Ear k̄nono k̄n juon ael̄n̄ iar jab jel̗̄ ke ear lukkuun juon ael̄n̄, im armej rein rej mour ilo ijin t̄l ̄ne kein ikijjeen jipan̄ eo j̄n United Nation me iar l̗̄mn̗ak el̗ap ā jel̗̄ kake. Armej rein ej ̄inw̄t m̗̄ttan Trust Territory of the Paciic RiM̗ajel̗ ro rar itok n̄an America j̄n M̗ajel̗. Islands ̄likin kar Pata eo an Lal̗ Kein Karuo. Ke Kiī iar lukkuun k̄n̗aan kal̗apl̗o̗k ā jel̗̄ k̄n r̄kaki eo ā ear k̄mel̗el̗e k̄n k̄taan ael̄n̄ in armej rein ilo jikin in me ij kab jel̗̄ ke rej m̗̄ttan ā im Marshall Islands, iar lukkuun b̄rom̗̄j im ijo ij itok j̄ne im el̗ap an aor̄k n̄an n̄a. Iien eo inepata ippa make k̄n ā jab lukkuun lale ta ko rej in me ij kab jino p̄d ilo Facing project eo, juon wal̗o̗k ipelaak̄ im ael̄n̄ in ā. doulul me rejjab k̄m̗m̗an j̄̄n b̄tab k̄tt̄par eo Ke iar k̄m̗m̗an etale ko k̄n kien eo im news aer ej n̄an kajjion̄ kal̗apl̗o̗k aer mel̗el̗e k̄n ko rej wal̗o̗k pel̗aakin lal̗ in iar loe bwe jukjukin p̄d ko an armej ikijjeen aer etali bwebwenato ko ikijjeen jukjukin p̄d ko an aolep armej. il̗o̗kwalpenl̗o̗k iī ko 1946-1958, ear w̄r 67 Iar kile bwe ej juon iien ejejjet im epel̗l̗o̗k n̄an nuclear test ko jarin tarin̗ae eo an America ear n̄a kab ro jet me jidik w̄t aer jel̗̄ k̄n m̗antin k̄m̗m̗ani ilo Marshall Islands. Bomb eo el̗aptata M̗ajel̗ n̄an kal̗apl̗o̗k am jel̗̄̄ k̄n men kein. rar k̄m̗m̗ane ilo ael̄n̄in Bikini ilo kar iī eo Men in ear k̄m̗m̗an bwe 1954. Etan kar bomb in ej Castle Bravo k̄n jon̄an kajoor n̗e 15 megaton. El̗apl̗o̗k j̄n kar jon̄an Facing Project eo kab Dubuque Network eo ren eo kar l̗̄mn̗ake bwe enaaj kar jiljino l̗o̗k n̄an maron̄ jerbal ipp̄n doon n̄an aer kwal̗o̗k k̄n jiljilimjuon megaton, jon̄an an kajoor kw̄maron̄ bwebwenato ko an Ri M̗ajel̗ ro me rej kwal̗o̗k loe j̄n 2,600 m̗ail̗ ettol̗o̗k ilo Okinawa Japan. k̄n oktak ko me rar iiooni. Jon̄an an kar kajoor bomb in ear 1,000 alen l̗apl̗o̗k j̄n bomb eo kar jol̗o̗ke ilo Hiroshima Jidikin Mel̗el̗e ko k̄n Bwebwenatoun M̗ajel̗ Nagasaki, jon̄an baijin eo ear wal̗o̗k j̄ne ear jel̄t menninmour ko ilo Tennessee. Ael̄n̄ ko ilo M̗ajel̗ rej jet iaan ̄ne ko me rar wal̗o̗k j̄n volcano ko kab m̗al̗o eo ie ekanooj Baijin in bomb in ear ko̗kkure mennin in l̄n̄ w̄d ie, im ej p̄d ik̄taan Hawaii im Phil- eddek ko, ear kabaijin d̄n ko, ko̗kkure ek ko, ippine. Ilo iī eo 1944, ael̄n̄in America ekar jino im armej ro bareinw̄t rar nan̄inmej im bwil Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 5 kilier. Bwebwenato ko rej kwal̗o̗k bwe ajri ro rar k̄m̗m̗ane men in reban baj em̗m̗ak̄t w̄t j̄n ikkure k̄n melkwarar ko rebaijin im rar bareinw̄t ijoko jikier ak renaaj aikuj katak bar juon manit w̄ran̄il̗o̗k. Armej ro rar aikuj em̗m̗ak̄t j̄n ̄ne me elukkuun oktak j̄n manit ko aer. Ij k̄jatdikdik ko aer. Ekkar mel̗el̗e ko j̄n Brookings Institute bwe ilo am̗ riiti bwebwenato kein kw̄ban baj emaron̄ kar w̄r jon̄an in 665 armej ro me baijin mel̗el̗e w̄t unin an armej rein aikuj em̗m̗ak̄t in bomb eo ear jel̄t er. j̄n ijoko jikier ak kw̄naaj bareinw̄t b̄rom̗̄j k̄n w̄ween ko reppen rej wal̗o̗k j̄n aer aikuj Ilo kar 1985, kar k̄m̗m̗ane kw̄n eo etan katak mour ilo juon ael̄n̄ rejjab jel̗̄ kake. Compact of Free Association (COFA) kw̄n in ik̄taan America im M̗ajel̗. Kw̄n in ej k̄maron̄ Jon̄an armej ro ilo M̗ajel̗: an armej in M̗ajel̗ mour im jerbal ilo ael̄n̄in America. Rejjab citizen in ijin ak ew̄r aer Social • Population: emaron̄ jon̄an in 70,000 Security card im n̄m̗ba. Ilo Iowa rejjab b̄ki • Ej ejaakin ruo chain in atoll k̄n jon̄an n̗e 29 jeraam̗m̗an kein ikijjeen takt̄, Food Stamps, atoll. ak TANF (cash assistance) renaaj maron̄ w̄t el̗an̄n̄e rej citizen. • Jon̄an utiejin ̄ne ko j̄n lo̗jet ej 7 w̄t ne.

El̄n̄ w̄ween ko reppen rej wal̗o̗k j̄n kar baijin N̄an mel̗el̗e ko rel̗l̗apl̗o̗k jouj im lale web- in bomb juon iaaer ej ikijjeen climate change. En- site kein itulal̗: an̄in aolepen M̗ajel̗ ej jiljino ne utiejl̗o̗k j̄n d̄n k̄n men in el̗ap an armej ro inepata kake. D̄n http://wapo.st/2pokgwQ eo em̗̄j an wanl̄n̄l̗o̗k juon ne ilo kar 10 iī ko rem̗ootl̗o̗k innem n̄e ej iien iallap d̄n ej itok http://bit.ly/2pQKDxY n̄an ̄ne im ej ko̗kkure jikin kallib ko im aib̄j lal http://bit.ly/2parvfI ko rej k̄jerbali n̄an idaak. http://nyti.ms/2pUkeje Ilo an jakol̗o̗k ̄ne ko im atoll ko el̄n̄ RiM̗a- jel̗ renaaj aikuj em̗m̗ak̄t tok n̄an America http://huff.to/1XlKsFa ikijjeen COFA eo bwe ren maron̄ mour. N̄e renaaj

Castle Bravo nuclear test on the Marshall Islands, March 1, 1954. © Kibbe Museum. Flickr Creative Commons.

6 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Pastor Stanley Samson As told by Sue Leibold I came from Enid, Oklahoma, in summer of The biggest need in our community is edu- 2002 to Dubuque. I was involved with my cating- education- more about when I say church which is called the Dubuque Paradise education- right now our millennial and our Assembly of God and I came here with a pastor kids, now they’re in the right place. They’re in to establish this church. I am a pastor since better education. But when it comes to the older 2010. community, older generations most important thing is communication because you know I’m My role in the community is a pastor of 80 not going to be there all the time, she is not plus members and my role in the community is going to be there. It is hard for her to get help I would say is a pastor/social worker because I for sickness if she don’t understand the rules help out a lot. or the language. So, I think the biggest thing is education of English and an understanding To understand our culture, I start with basic of the rules and the policies. Other than that, background and culture because the Mar- health problems is the biggest thing. shallese are very shy and don’t want to make any mistakes and our body language is the biggest After World War II when they did the bombing thing in our communication. Sometimes our and our agriculture was gone. We don’t grow body language can offend somebody who do anything like we used to because our island is not know us. illed with radiation, after the testing of the bombs. It is still that way, nothing grows there. I An example of this, one time in school I went mean, just coconut and bananas but not a good to help out this family because this kid was the diet. I mean we used to have a lot of fruits and best student she (teacher) ever had and…be- vegetable. The whole island is contaminated cause he listens, he’s quiet you know… You have with radiation and the biggest disease is chronic a shy kid he just sit there and not do anything. disease- cancer, diabetes, a poor diet. One time it was up to him, it was a small group. She was talking to him and he was facing down I believe that these days they depend on more and she mad and offended that he was not of their children and grandchildren to translate paying attention and it was disrespectful to her now- they take them to their health care centers (teacher). So, he turned around from the best for translating and some teach them to speak kid to a disrespectful kid and I got involved with English. They (the children) are more open and that. I kind of asked her what happened and she have more like- easier to inluence with Ameri- told me about it and I said, well it doesn’t mean can culture. he was disrespecting you. His body language was showing that he was communicating with One important thing I want to let you know- you- when he is not eye to eye to you he is bow- Marshallese community- people are very close, ing down to the one that is directing him and really close, especially here in the U.S.- the sometimes it’s like you don’t pay attention and extended family is considered close family. We you don’t care. He was showing you, you know, share, we share together. This is one thing I his surrender yet it demonstrated he as all knelt don’t want to lose is that- rely on each other. down- he is listening to someone who know better, is directing him, teaching him, talking to Our events are very important, our commu- him, so his body language was taking everything nity events. First birthdays are very big for she was saying but not communicating eye to that child. Family get together, community get eye. I get that, I know that. together, people from out of state come here, even the Marshallese Island will come. I had (Pastor Stan’s visit to the schools to explain my granddaughter’s birthday in Steeple Square Marshallese culture) It changes the whole ball and it was big. I invited a lot of people, a lot of game and not just the teacher but the whole people from the community too, Sister Helen. In school, and especially the principal. It was our birthday celebrations have culture dances, something they wanted me to go out there to we sing, the family that have birthday events talk to the teachers, the current teachers and the gives away stuff to show appreciation for them future teachers that will graduate from school. such as clothing, blankets and other stuff to It’s not a problem now but it is a cultural – how show our appreciation. Christmas, Palm Sun- do we say it- uh…connecting. day, good Friday, Easter, big gatherings. May

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 7 Day – Marshallese Constitution Day- performed too and religion is very big to Marshallese peo- the last weekend in May. First weekend in May ple- always been this way – part of our custom. in Marshall Islands. Celebrate summer activities, invite community leaders. Our islands are sinking on high tide with wind- covering places not covered ive years ago. Our Marshallese are very, very good people. They island is our core. I would not want to see our want to be recognized as part of the community island lost. and they are shy people- but very loving people

Bwebwenato eo an Rikaki Samson’s Komman ibben Sue Leibold. Iar itok jen Enid Oklohoma ilo Summer in 2002 nan Dubuque in.Na ij juon iaan ro im rar (Rikaki Stan’s ear lolok School eo im kemelele boktok kabun eo naetan Dubuque Paradise ik er kin Maint in Majol) Kio ewor oktak ilo Assembly of God iar itok ibben rikaki eo nan wewen ad melele kin manit ko jen joko jet am kajutak kabun eo. Iar jino rikaki jen ioo ne ilikin ejjab nan rikaki ro wot ak nan aolepen 2010. school eo, im elap tata principle eo. Ewor jet ien rekonan bwe in ilok im kenono nan rikaki ro Jerbal eo ao ilo jukjuk in bed in ej Rikaki nan kajojo., ro kio im barainwot ro tokelik im rejan elon lok jen 80 ro iuuan kabuin im eddo eo juon diwojlok, ejjab juon jorren kio ak ej kin wot ao nan jukjuk in bed in imaron ban a ij Rikaki/ manit- wei wewen ad ba – uh.. kobaik dron. ak ij Social worker kinke elap ao jiban armij. Men eo elap an aikujiilo jukjuk in bed ej Nan ad melele kin manit in am , ij ijino kin jelalokjen-jelalokjen- kin wot jelalokjen ilo jidikin kadkadin im manit kinke rimaol elap wot kenono kake, kio ej juon in tere im ajri ro, rej an ejelok aer ennan im rejjab konan komman bed ilo jikin eo ejimwe im jejet nan er, rej bed bwod im wewen am kejerbal enbwinim nan ilo jikin jelalokjen ko remman, ak ne ej itok kenono ej wewen eo elap ilo am kejerbal ilo am nan jukjuk in bed ko reritto, ro reritto men eo kenono. Jet ien kejerbal makitkit in enbwinin eourok kenono kinke kojela na iban bed iejn emaron keinebata bar jet ro im rejjab lukkun jela aolep ien, ak lien eban bed ijen, ebin nan e nan ki kim (Rimajol) . Nan wan jonak kin wewen an bok jiban nan ro rej naninmij ne ejjab maron in, juon ien ilo jikin jukul iar etal nan jiban juon melele kin jonak ko im kajin eo, kio ij tomak bamile kinke ajri eo nejeir ej, juon iaan rijukul ke men eo elap nan kajin belle ej jelalokjen im ro im elap an emman ibben (rikaki ) eo kinke ej melele kin kakien ko im men ko emoj kelajaraki, ronjake, ejjab keroro, kojela..ewor juon rijukul ijelokin men kein Ejmour ej men eo elap tata. Ij ej jijet im jab keroro im jab komman jabedwot. tomak ke rainin elap wot ad kejatdikdik kin ajri Juon ien ej ien nan, ilo juon dolul jidkdik. Ri- ro nejid im ro jibwid nan aer ukok nan kij kio, kaki eo ej kajjeon konnan lok nan ladrik eo ak rej bok er nan jikin takto ko nan aer ukok nan ej jillok im relallok im rikaki ellu im ba naneke e rim jet rej katakin en kajin balle. Er ( ajri ro) ejjab ronjake im ejelok an kautej e( rikaki) eo , elap lok aer bellok im bidodo lok aer katak kin kio eoktak jen ke e ear juon rijukul eo emman manit in belle. nan juon eo im ejelok an kautej rikaki ro, iar bok jidik konao im ij kajitok ibben rikaki ta eo Juon emn ko elap aer aorok im ikonan bwe kon ebwod, im rikaki ear bat ok nan na ke ladrik eo jela- Jukjuk in bed in an rimajol elap aer ebake ejjab ronjake eo (rikaki) im iar jiron lok rikaki dron, elaptata ilo am bed ilo AMEDKA in, ke ejjab melele in ke ladrik eo ejjab kautej im Armij jet numin kiejij likit er lukkun in Nukim, ronjake rikaki ak ej kejerbal ilo juon bar wewen kemij jake jebol eo im jake ibben dron, juon men kenono ilo enbwinin im ej kwalok ke ej kenono ijjab konan kakure ilo kim ej lale dron im jban nan rikaki eo, ne ejjan rewaj nan kwe im ej badi- dron. kdik lal lok im jet ien koj lomnak ejjab ronjake iok ejjab melelein ke ejelok an kea. Ej kwalok Makitkit ko am elp aer aorok, Makitkit ko nan kwe , kwojela ej kwalok ilo an jillok lal lok. an jukjuk in bed eo am einwot Juon an ajri Ej ronjake ro im rejela kin e im kwalok nane im ioo kemem ej juon men eo im elap nan ajri eo, katakin e im konnan nane. ilo an kenono kin bamile ko rej koba ibben dron Jukjuk in bed eo enbwinin , ebok jikin men otemjej ko rikaki eo ej rej koba ibben dron, Armij ro jen joko ilikin rej kenono kaki im jab kononono nan dron ilo ar re koba tok, kar kemem eo an ledrik eo jibu ear nan dron kin mejed. Kio ij melele im ijel kio. komman ilo Steeple Square im ear lukkun in

8 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories lap, iar kir tok elon armij ro elon ro jen jukjuk Armij in Majol ej jet ro im elap im lap aer em- in bed in im borainwot Sister Helen. Ilo ien man- Rej konan bwe armij rein ilo Jukjuk in bed kemem kein am elon Ikkure in majol ko rej in ren kile er ewnwot jet mottaer. Jet armij ro komman , kemij al im bamile ko rej komman ejelok aer ennan ak ealp Iakwe ibberim rej armij kemen rej elelok eon mwik ko nan am kwalok in kabun im ej juon iaan wewen ko elap ibben am monono ilo aer koba tok im mottam ilo ien rimajol im eban jako bwe ej mottan manit eo. in elap, Christmas, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Koba kileplep, May Day ( Jeme Lal eo am ej rumlok lal lok wot kin utej in no E Ran) ej komman ilo week ne elik tata ilo allon im oktak in mejatoto, ijoko im rar jab jako lalem in May. Jinon May makitkit ko rej bok jikier im ioo remotlok emoj aer jako. Ailon ko am ej am kimij kir tok ro ilo jukjuk in bed in ilo Dubuqe lemodren im ijjab konan lo an jako. elap tata rutej ro.

Methelindia Joe As told by Donalda Kehoe When my mother and father came from the My mother (Jimiko) works at St. Clare House as Marshall Islands, they went directly to Phoenix, a Care Giver; she told me about a job opening at Arizona, and that’s where I was born on Octo- Mt. St. Francis Center. I put in my application ber 9, 1996. In November that year we moved to and Theresa Peppmeier interviewed me, and I Dubuque, IA, where we lived with my grandpar- got the job and started working there when I ents near the University of Dubuque. was still in high school. I like it here. It is really nice, a different environment. First I worked in My two brothers were born in Dubuque. After the dining room, with some food preparation the three of us were born, my parents adopted a and cleaning tables. For three weeks now, I have little sister and a little brother from the Marshall been a cook. My favorite thing to make is soup. Islands. I am wearing bracelets on my wrist. One came from here and says: “Love, Hope, and Faith.” I went to preschool at Westminster Presbyterian My cousin gave me the other one. It says: Church. I was scared; I didn’t know English at “Kindness – pass it on in all you do and say. all. My teachers were good to me and helped me Your kindness makes a difference in the world a lot and would write stuff on paper for me to each day.” learn. I had women teachers in preschool. I go shopping with my cousin Vicky Jamore Because we didn’t have a car at irst, transporta- (a Care Giver at Clare House). We usually go tion was hard. We would call my dad’s brother to the mall or to Kohl’s. We go to the movies who lived in Dubuque (he came from the sometimes, and then to a Chinese Restaurant Marshall Islands when my grandfather did). He afterward. My favorite food is rice with some would gives us a ride. type of meat or chicken.

By the time I was in Eisenhower Elementary I don’t know my neighbors very well on Jackson School, we owned a car, but I took the school Street. We get together with Marshallese People, bus to school. After 5th grade at Eisenhower, I mostly at church, the Full Gospel Church by attended Roosevelt Middle School on Radford Prescott School. Road for 6th and 7th grade and Jefferson School for 8th grade. I just got back from an annual March event in Springdale, Arkansas. Our Full Gospel Church I attended high school at Hempstead on joined people from different states for four days Pennsylvania Avenue. From there I graduated of worship, singing, and dancing. The dancing in 2015. I was not into football and parties in consisted of four lines of everybody doing the high school, but I did attend our Homecoming. same motion. During our “kwelok,” (Mar- That was really different! A big crowd gathered shallese word for getting together, a gathering) in the middle of the gym and everyone danced. I we all had a meal together in the morning and danced a bit, with my date Obet Jally. evening, and stayed at the Holiday Inn. We made a big community of Marshallese people. My family moved out of my grandparents’ home We went by bus – it took 3-4 buses to hold all of when I was in middle school and into a house on us from here. Jackson Street where we are living now.

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 9 Springdale, Arkansas is the 4th largest city in for many years which created very hazardous re- Arkansas, located in northwest Arkansas, deep sults, as no precautions were taken to suficiently in the Ozark Mountains. According to the 2000 protect the nearby residents; radiation fallout census statistics, there is a signiicant community left many of the people with serious health con- of about 4000 Marshall Islanders and the city is ditions. A covenant signed with the U.S. in 1986 home to a Consulate of Marshall Islands. granted the Marshallese the right to come to the U.S. and live and work here without the need of -- From the Internet. a “green card.” When my dad would talk about life in the islands, he said it was pretty hard, and sometimes -- from Franciscan Connections, Summer, 2016 scary. My mother told me about the bombings The Marshallese people gather to celebrate a and what life was like back then. irst birthday. Parents invite others from in and out of the state and order foods from the islands The Marshall Islands are located in the western for the occasion. A 50th birthday and weddings Paciic just north of the equator. The U.S. are also big events. People wear their native conducted nuclear testing on the isle of Bikini costumes at those times.

Bwebwenato an Methelindia Joe’s Komman ibben Donalda Kehoe Ke jino im jemarar itok jen Majol, rar kajju nan Jino im jema im ajro ro jetu kim are diwojlok Phoenix Arizona, im ijo iar lotak ie ilo Oktoba jen ibben bubu im jimma ke ij bed ilo middle 9, 1196. Ilo Nobomba in ioo ne kim ar emakit schoolim bed ilo juon e milo Jackson Street ij im tok nan Dubuque, Iowa, ijo kim ar jokwe ibben kemij jokwe ie kio. bubu im jimma ilo turin University of Dubuque. Jino (Jimiko) ej jerbal ilo St. Clare House einwot Ladrik ro ruo jatu rar lotak ilo Dubuque. Elkin juon rilale ritto ro; jino ear jiron toke o kin Mt. amjel kar lotak jino im jema rar kokajiriri juon St. Frances Center. Iar kanne ao apilication nan jatu ledrik im juon ladrik jen Majol. jerbal ie im Theresa Peppmeier iar etale eo im imaron bok jerbal eo ijen ke ij bed wot ilo High Iar jino ao jukul in kaminene ilo Westminister School. Elap an emman jikin jerbal en ibba im Presbterian Chhurch. I jar mijak; ijjab lukkun elap an emman belakin. Jinoin iar jino ilo jikin jela kajin balle . Rikaki eo ao ear lukkun in komman mona en keboji mona koi m karreo emman nan im elap an kar jiban eo katak jeje table ko iumin jilu week. Kio na ij juon iaan elon kain ilo pepa ko nan ao maron katak. Kora rikomat ro im mona eo eitok lima in kommate men eo ao kar rikaki ilo preschool. ej juup.

Kinke ear ejelok waam wa kar mokta, iaal in Ij konake bankel ilo peio, juon iar bok ijin im ej itotak ear kar ben nan kim. Kimij kir nan likao ba; Iakwe , kojatdikdik im tomak” Lieo riliku eo jatin baba im ear itok ibben bubu im jimman ear bar letok juon im ej ba . Jouj jake waj nan ilo tere eo rar jino itok im ej letok iaal nan kim. aolep men eo koj kommane im ba. Jouj eo am ej komman oktak ilo lal aolep ran. Ilo tere eo im ij jikul ilo Eisenhower School, ewor juon wam wa, ak ij bok bus ko waan Ikijon etal im wia ibben eldrik eo nuku Vicky Ja- school nan school. Elkin klass 5 ilo Eisenhower modre ( rilale ritto ilo Clare House) kemro kijon , iar etal im jukul ilo Rosevelt Middle School etal im wia ilo mall en a kilo Kohl’s. Kemro ej ilo Radford Road Klass 6 im 7 im klass 8 ilo etal im alwoj pija jet ien im borainwot mona ilo Jefferson Middle School. mon mona in China ko. Mona eo enno ibba ej I ar Jukul ilo Hempstead High School ilo Penn- rice ibben kannek im bao. sulvana Avenue.. Iar kaduwojlok ilo 2015. Iar jab itok limo ilo football im party ilo kar High Ij jab lukkun jela kajjen armij ro rej jokwe turin School, botap iar bed ilo Homecoming eo an mweo ij jokwe ie ilo Jackson Street. Kimeij koba School, ej juon oktak kileplep. Jarlepju in armij ibben dron einwot armij in Majol, eitan aolep rej koba lo kilo ioap in jikin ikkure en im aolep ien ilo imon jar eo, Fullgospel iturin Prescott rej tuwij. Iar kaine tiwij jidik ibben armij eo School. motta Obet Jally.

10 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Ij kab roltok jen juon jemdron ilo allon Maac eo kamijak. Jino ej bwebwenato kin baam im ear ilo Springdale, Arkansa. Kbun ko an Fullgospel komman ilo tere ko. rar koba ibben dron jen elon State ko kajojo ilo Midwest in tarin emen raan aetokan, kemij Majol ej bed turilik in Paciic im lalin wot jar, al im ikkure in majol ko am makekake. Biit equator. Kei neo an amedka ar kommane ko kemij kommani rej tarin emen line im aolep komelmel in baam eo ilo ailon in Bikini elon ioo rej kommane kilten ko are makemake. Ilo ien ko remotlok, im kio ekoman bwe en lon menin kwelok ak jemdron kemij mona ibben dron kauwotata koi im ejjab emman na bed ie, nan jibbon, raelep im jota im kim ej jokwe ilo Hotel ailon ko iturin kar jikin eo im baam e oar wot- ko. Kim ej juon iaan droulu ko elap iuaer , kemij lok ie, Armij rein elon kain naninmij koe rebed etal ilo bus killep tarin 3 lok nan emen bus nan ieeaer einwot paijin in baam eo im naninmij ko an bok kimwoj jen Dubuque in. jet jen paijin. Bujen eo ear jain ibben U.S. ilo 1986 komman bwe armij in majol ren maron Sprigdale Arkansas ej kein kemen jikin ko delon ilo U.S. im jokwe Jerbal ilo ejelok kajitok rellap ilo Arkansas im ej bed ilo Tue n turok in kin” Green Card” Arkansas im ej bed tulal in Tol Ozark, ekkar Jen Franciscan Connection , 2016 nan bonbon eo ilo 2000 ioo eo. Ewor tain in 4000 rimajol ilo jikin in im ej ijo im Opij eo an Manit in Majol ne juon Ajri ej juon an iio ej Majol ej bed ie. juon elap nan er kajojo, rej kir tok ro nukuer jen joko jet ilikin, mona ko buktok jen Majol nan JEN INTERNET. ien in elap ne er. 50 ioo birthday im ien mare Ne jem a ej konnan kin an bin mour ilo Majol, ej borainwot nan kom ekkar nan manit eo am. ej kwalok ke elukin bed im jet ien ealp an Ekka an armij konak nuknuk ko jen Majol.

Mary Samson’s Story As told by Anna Kelley On the morning of March 1, 1954, I woke up to could hear that they were speaking in English, a red sky. I did not know why it was red; I was so I knew it was the US soldiers from Kwajalein. only seven years old. I was on Utirik, one of They told the adults who knew English that we the Marshall Islands in the Ratak, or “sunrise,” were all to leave the island. They said it was not chain of islands, but that is just a word to use. safe on Utirik because of the bomb. That does not mean the skies always look like The bomb from Bikini Island—the biggest one sunrise. But this sky did. All around me, every- ever—is what lit the sky that morning when I one was just looking up, wondering too. I was was just waking up. It left radiation that made asking them what was going on. Nobody knew. so many people sick. Why would they do that? That afternoon a seaplane came from the US Did they not think that there were people living military base in Kwajalein, on the “sunset,” or there? Asleep in their beds? Eating breakfast? Ralik, side of the Islands, to where we were on Did they not think of those people? My father, Utirik. It was carrying soldiers, and the soldiers my brother, my sister, my classmate, and were there to examine us. I later learned that someday my student; The rocks, the birds, the they were checking to see if we were affected water, the air. Did they not think of all that was by radiation. Later on, there were some people underneath? whose skin was burning, so something very bad They were there to take us away, to Kwaja- must have happened when the sky turned red. lein. They had to examine us. We had to leave My father was one of those who were examined. everything. We could take a change of clothes (They check me every year; they say I’m OK.) for only one day. We were confused, and I saw After two days, I remember that a big ship came. that some of the children were crying. I could It was so big that it could not come to the la- tell that some of the adults did not like what goon side of Utirik; it had to come to the ocean the soldiers were doing. But we got our clothes side. I remember how excited my brother and his and got onto the ship. The ship was so big that friends were! I think they are the ones who told it had ladders, like you see in the movies, and me about the ship irst. “There’s a big ship at the the soldiers had to take us one by one up the ocean!” they said. They ran to where all the peo- ladders. They took every one of us, maybe 150 ple were gathered to see it and said, “The Rus- from Utirik, on that ship and up those ladders, sians are here!” But the men who came off that and away from home without telling us why. ship started talking to some of the adults, and I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 11 We were quarantined in the soldiers’ camp when underwear over our bodies to get washed! When we got to Kwajalein, and stayed there for about I think of this now; I would not have worn a month. It was so small there; every family had them. I would have said “no!” They’d wash our just one room. I did not have much to do there. clothes and put them all together in a pile. Then My home island is Majuro (we Marshallese go we would have to look through the pile to ind by our mothers’ islands) and my father was a our own clothes, every day. Like I said, these pastor so we traveled from island to island when soldiers were not mean to us. But they were I was little. They are all pretty much the same, soldiers, and they didn’t even know what clothes but it was still interesting to meet and play with were ours, and this was not our home. different people at each one. I lived most of my life on Kwajalein, but when I lived here I When I think of our clothes in a pile, the ladders would play Marshallese games like hide ‘n’ seek, on the ship, the soldiers, and the red morning or we’d make a ball out of a coconut. In the soldiers’ camp, we tried to play games, but it was sky, sometimes I get mad. I also remember not like our home. There were other children Lekej, a student of mine when I taught social there from another poisoned island, but we studies and the Bible on the Islands. He went to couldn’t play with them because the soldiers put the US a lot to be examined because he was real- us on two different sides of a road. When people ly poisonous, and he died too. When my brother wanted to visit us at the camp they couldn’t died at 69, he had lots of pain, like Lekej’s pain. come speak to us or bring us food or clothes or My sister gets so hot that sometimes she cannot anything we needed. We were left alone and kept sleep for days and days because she had her away from everything we had. thyroid removed from cancer. I remember these people, and the others who died, and those of The soldiers were not mean. Every morning us who were underneath the red skies, and taken they brought us breakfast, and after breakfast onto the ship, and put in the soldiers’ camp. I get they took us to the lagoon side of the island so mad because my people are a peaceful people that they could wash the poison from us with But I know that you cannot ight to make peace. shampoo. I remember that we had to wear men’s It does not work.

Bwebwenato an Mary Samson’s Komman ibben Anna Kelly Ilo jibbon in March 1, 1954, Iar ruj tok im reilon eo, juon e time itulik in ene in . Rar ettor lok lok im lo juon koro biroro. Ijjab lukkun jla eita nan ijo ritto ro rej koba ie nan aer lale, im rej ba ke eboror; ej jilmjuon ao ioo ilo teere ne. Ij bed emoj an Ri-Russia jikrok tok, ak emman ro rar ilo Utrok, juon ian ene ko ilo ratak ilo Majol, tok tok jen wa eo rej konnan ibben jet iaan ritto Ratak ak tak in al ilo menen eo juon ilo majol, im ij ron aer kajin balle. Kio ijela ke ritarinae ak naan eo rekijon kejerbale. Ejjab melelein koro in amedka ro jen Kwajalien. Rej ba nan ritto ro ko rekein lok wot takin al, ak koro eo ej einwot. im rejela kajin balle k aolep rej aikuj emakit jen Ibelaku aolep rej reilonlok im bwilon. Iar kajito ene eo. Rej ba ejjb emman nan bed ie kin wot ta eo im ejelok en ejela ta eo. baam eo. Elkin raerlepen eo juon balun in den jen jikin Baam eo jen ailon in Bikini, ej juon iaan baam tarinae ilo Kwajalien ilo tulok in al ak relik ilo ko rellap im kajur im ta eo im ear komman bwe turilik in ailon in utrok ije ij bed ie. Ej boktok en biroro mejatoto jibbon in ran eo ilo tere eo elon ritarinae ro im rej itok nan aer etale kim. ij ruj tok. Ekkoman bwe armij ren naninmij Tok elik ij kab jela ke rej lale ne paijin in baam in paijin. Eita ke rar komman wewein in? Re eo ejelet kim, tok elik, jet iaan armij ro ejeroen ke lomnak ke ewor armij jokwe ijoko? Kiki ilo ak bwil kilier, Juon in wewen ejjab emman im tere eo im mona in jibbon? Rej ke lomnak kin ekomman bed koro ko ren oktak nan biroro. armij ro? Jema, ladrik ro jeiu im jatu ledrik ro Jema ej juon iaan ro rar etale e. ( Rare tale eo im rijukul ro motta, im juon ien enaj rikjukul ro aolep ioo otemjej; im rej ba ejelok jorren nan na.) ao; Deka ko, Bao ko Den im mejatoto. Rej ke lomnak kin ta ko iumin er. Elkin ruo ran jen ien eo ij kemejmej juon mon wa killep ear itok, juon tima eo elap an lap im Rar itok nan ijo nan aer bok kim nan Kwajalien. ear jab maron mwear ak ad emman wot itulik Rare tale kim. Kim ej aikuj likit men ko mweim in ailon eo.Ij kememej lok ewi kar jonan an im bok jet wot nuknuk nan ekba , kin lukkun kar monono eo an ladrik eo jeiu im ladrik ro in tarbok im ij loe jet iaan ajri jidik ro rej jan. mottan, IJ kememej er eo ran jiron eo kin tima Ij kile lok ke jet iaan ritto ro rejjab erra kin ta

12 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories eo ritarine ro rej kommane nan kim. Ak kim ar Ritarinae ro rejjab nana. Aolep jibbon rej buk nuknuk ko am im etal nan tima eo. Tima eo boktok kijem mona in jibbon im elikin mona elap an kilep im kim ej aikuj jikin iwwe lon lok in jibbon rej bok kim nan lojet ilo turajet in ene einwot ad loe ilo pija ko, im ritarinae ro rej aikuj eo nan aer karreo kim jen paijin in baam eo kin bok juon lok juonilo jikin iwwe eo. Rar bok kim Jembo. Ij kememej lok ke kim ej aikuj konat woj aolep emaon 150 armij jen ailon in Utrok. jermota ko an emman nan pinej enbwinnim nan Ilo wa im ilo jikin iwwen eo im jen kabijuknen am karreo. Ne ij lomnak k ilo tere in; na ijjab eo am im jab jiron kim ta un eo. aikuj kar konaki, Iaikuj kar JAAB!. Rej kli nuknuk am im likiti ilo juon wot pile im koj aikuj We kakilen kim ilo jikin ero an ritarinae ilo etale im bukot nuknuk ko am ibwijilin nuknuk Kwajalien, kim ar bed ijo iuman lok juon allon. ko woj, aolep ran. Einwot ao ba, ritarinae men Juon jikin jidikdik, aolep bamile ko rej bed rein im rejjab nana, rejjab jela ewi wot nuknuk wot ilo juon room. Ejelok men en elap imaron ko am inwilijin nuknuk ko woj, ak ejjab ijo kommane ijo. Ailon eo ao ej Majuro ( Ej ad ka- jikum in. bikujinen jen ro jined) im jema ej juon rikakiin Ne ij lomnake tok nuknuk ko am ilo pile in nuk- kabun im emakijkij am itotak ikotak ailon nan nuk eo, jikin iwwe eo ilo tima eo, Ritarinae ro, ailonjo tere eo ke ij dik. Eitan aoleper einwot koro biroro eo ilo jibbon in ran eo, jet ien ij illu. juon, ak ej juon men eo im emman im kaitoktok Ij kememej LEKEJ Anjain, juon iaan rijukul ro limo ilo ar ioon elon kain armij. Eitan tarlep in ao ke iar katakin Social Studies im kilaj in Bible mour e ao iar jokwe ilo Kwajalien, ak ke iar bed ilo enen eo. Ear itok nn Amedka nan etale e kin ijen imaron ikkure, iikure in Majol einwo noje elon naninmij in paijin ko ibben, ear mij, Leo im bukote, ak komman ball jen kimej in ni. Ijo jeiu ear mij ke ej 69 an iio, elon metak ko ippen, jikin ritarinae, kemij bar ikkure elon kain ikkure ej einwot Lekej kin metak ko ippen. Kora eo ko, ak ejjab einwot joko jikim. Elon bar jet ajri jeiu ej bwil im jet ien ejab maron kiki elon bon ro ijo rej itok jen ailon ko jet im rebar pijin, im elon ran kin wot aer kar komakit Thyriod botap kim ejjab maron ikkure ipper bwe ritainae jen cancer eo an. Ij kemejmej armij rein, im ro ro rar likit kim ilo ruo mwenan e neo. Ne armij jet im rebar mij, im ro woj imunin koro biroro konan lotok kim ilo ijo jikin ritarinae rejjab eo, ilo are bok kin nan tima eo, im likit kim ilo maron itok im kenono ibbam ak boktok kijim ijo jikin ritarinae ro, ekomman menin ao illu im nukuk ak jabedwot kain aikiuj dikidkik. Rej kinke armij rein rej armij in ainemon. Ak ijela kejeneloklok kim im bobrare jabedwot men kim ke koban komman boktak nan bukot ainemon, aikuji. ejjab wewen eo in.

Scene on Majuro, the capital and largest city of the Marshall Islands. © Stefan Lins. Flickr Creative Commons. Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 13 An Anonymous Marshallese Story As told by Marian Klostermann

I came here to the U.S. in November 2006. My at Clare House in the kitchen and sometimes sister was already here. I came here to bring my nursing. kids to go to school. I bring three kids and two stayed in the Marshall Islands. I was very sad to My oldest son is now 24. He lives with me. leave them behind. One was in high school and He was in the Marshall Islands for two years. the other was six years old. I was sad to leave my There is no place for him. He is looking for a Mom and Dad in the Marshall Islands. After job. That’s why he came back. Mom, I am going three months, my husband came to the U.S., too. to get a job. Mom, you always helped. He was really sick. He has an appointment at Crescent My sister worked at Best Western in Dubuque Health for a checkup. He has a driver’s license. and got me a job. I worked three-four months Oh, where can he get training? One son is 23 with cleaning and making beds. The work was years old. He has a baby girl. I have one grand- very hard and with long hours of work. I did daughter. They come to my house everyday and not understand much English. Sister Corrine I get to see them a lot. and Sister Ruth taught me at the Lantern Center. They taught me how to speak but my I adopted one little girl, she is my guardian English was poor. child. She is Marshallese. Right now, she is eight. She is going to school at Fulton. She I got a job at Holy Family Hall at the Franciscan always wakes up and gets ready for school. My Inirmary. I was learning to talk by talking with husband takes her. He works at night cleaning the sisters. My English was very poor. Now it is and that is good for him. He likes the hours so good. I really like working with the sisters. They someone is with the kids. were really nice to me. Good beneits and good pay. Some workers were very good to me. My We Marshallese have a church. We always go supervisor was nice but she is not working here to church on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. anymore. When I started to work, I don’t have We get together and eat after church. People vol- training. I got training with the nurse aids who unteer to bring food. Friends and family will get worked with me. I am not a CNA. I really like the food and bring it to the church. We always to be one but don’t know where I get that. I’m sing and dance when we are together. planning to but I don’t know how to do that. We want to sing our Marshallese songs with the I worked from 7-3 mornings. My husband work same accent. We have birthday parties and invite at night and gets home at 6:00. He takes me to everyone. A child’s irst birthday is a big one. work and gets the kids ready and takes them to Before we start we pray and give the child to the school. Sometimes I drive to work. pastor or the loved ones who do a blessing. Then we have a party. The time the sisters all move to Clare House, I packed everything for sisters. Put in box every- It is different living in the United States. Lot thing they needed. Then we move and I unpack different! You’re working and you are staying everything and put where they like it. It was fun, by yourself with your husband and your kids working together. in one house. In the Marshall Islands we are all together, husbands, kids, nieces and nephews, I have ive kids all together. My oldest son came aunts and uncles in a big house. I like it being here and went in 7th grade. All my children go with just me and my husband and my kids. I do to Eisenhower. They got friends right away. First miss the roses. I miss the food. I call my Mom time they did not speak English. But in two and ask her to mail me some food but she can’t. months their English was getting better. They My Dad came from the Marshall Islands and all graduate from Senior High. I really want my bring food. He left last week. My mother and children to inish their education, go to college father will come in May to visit. Can’t wait for and get a degree. My daughter Vicky works them to come and see all the kids

14 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Bwebwenato in mour ilo Majol Komman ibben C. Jean Hayen

Iar itok n̄an America ilo kar Nob̄m̗ba 2006 eo all̄n̄, rar jino jel̗̄ kajin p̄lle. Er aolep rar kadi- ak ledik eo jeī/jat̄ ear p̄d kadede ijin. Iar itok w̄jl̗o̗k j̄n high school. Ilukkuun k̄n̗aan bwe en bwe in boktok ajri r̄ nej̄ bwe ren it̄n jikuul̗. Iar lukkuun dedel̗o̗k an ajri r̄ nej̄ jikuul̗, etal n̄an boktok jilu iaaer ak ruo rar p̄dw̄t ilo M̗ajel̗. Iar college, im w̄r aer degree. Ledik en̗ nej̄ etan in lukkuun b̄rom̗̄j ke iar aikuj lik̄t w̄t er. Juon Vicky ej jerbal ilo Clare House ilo kitchen im jet ear high school im eo juon kar jiljino w̄t an iī. iien ej jerbal in n̄̄j. Iar bar b̄rom̗̄j ke iar em̗m̗ak̄t tok j̄n jin̄ im jema. Ālikin kar jilu all̄n̄, l̗eo ippa ear bar itok L̗adik en̗ er̄tto tata nej̄ 24 an iī kiī. Ej jokwe n̄an America in. ippa. Kar ruo iī in an p̄d ilo M̗ajel̗. Ejjel̗o̗k jikin an jokwe im en̄in unin ear bar ro̗o̗ltok. Ej Ledik eo jeī/jat̄ ear jerbal ilo juon otel̗ etan ba bwe ej kappok an jerbal im bwe aolep iien ij Best Western in Dubuque im ear pukot tok juon ā jipan̄e. Elukkuun nanin̄mej im ej check up w̄t jerbal. Iar jerbal in karreo im limi peet ko ium̗win ilo Crescent Health. Ew̄r an license in katt̄r. Ia in jilu l̗o̗k n̄an em̄n all̄n̄. Ear bwe an pen jerbal emaron̄ katak ie? L̗adik eo juon nej̄ 23 an iī im eo im bwe an kar aetok jon̄an awa in jerbal ko ā. ew̄r juon nejin leddik. Ew̄r juon jib̄ leddik. Rej Iar jab lukkuun jel̗̄ kajin p̄lle. Sister Corrine im itok n̄an m̗ween̗ aolep raan. Sister Ruth rar katakin ē kajin p̄lle ilo Lantern Center. Rar katakin ē ak ear jabwe w̄t ā kar Iar kaajjiririik juon leddik, bar e RiM̗ajel̗. 8 an iī jel̗̄ kajin in. kiī im ej jikuul̗ ilo Fulton. Aolep iien em̗̄kaj an ruj bwe en kappojak n̄an an etal in jikuul̗. L̗een Ew̄r juon ā jerbal ilo Holy Family Hall ilo ippa ej b̄kl̗o̗k n̄an jikin jikuul̗. L̗een ippa ej Franciscan Inirmary, ak jikin lale r̄tto ro. Iar jerbal in karreo ilo bon̄ im em̗m̗an ipp̄n k̄nke katak kajin p̄lle ilo ā kar k̄nnaan ipp̄n sister em̗m̗an awa kan̗ k̄nke en maron̄ w̄r ej p̄d ro. Ear jabwe ā jel̗̄ kajin p̄lle, ak kiī em̗m̗an. ipp̄n ajri ran̗. Elukkuun em̗m̗an ippa jerbal ipp̄n sister ro, relukkuun kar em̗m̗an n̄an n̄a. El̗ap jerraam̗m̗an K̄m RiM̗ajel̗ ew̄r am im̗̄n jar. Aolep iien iar b̄ki im em̗m̗an jon̄an on̗eea. Ew̄r jet k̄mij etal im jar in W̄nje, Taije, im Jab̄t. K̄mij rijerbal rar lukkuun em̗m̗an n̄an n̄a. Eo iar koba ipp̄n doon im m̗̄n̄̄ ̄likin am jar. Armej p̄d ium̗win pein ilo jikin jerbal ear bar lukkuun ro rej volunteer n̄an ebb̄ktok m̗̄n̄̄. Ro jeram em̗m̗an n̄an n̄a ak ejako kiī an jerbal ijin. Ke im m̗̄ttam rej b̄ktok m̗̄n̄̄ kan̗ n̄an im̗̄n iar jino jerbal iar jab b̄k kamminene k̄n jerbal in, jar en̗ am. Aolep iien am ipp̄n doon k̄mij al im n̄̄j ro iar jerbal ipp̄er rar jipan̄ im katakin ē. eb. K̄m k̄n̗aan al k̄n al in M̗ajel̗ ko am ipp̄n Ijjab juon CNA. Ik̄naan bwe in juon iaaer ak ijjab doon k̄n juon w̄t b̄ro. Ilo iien birthday ko k̄mij jel̗̄ ia eo imaron̄ etal n̄ane n̄an ā maron̄ juon k̄m̗m̗ani, k̄mij k̄rtok aolep. Iien keemem en̗ uwaaer. Ij l̗̄mn̗ak in k̄m̗m̗ane ako ijjab jel̗̄ ej iien eo el̗ap en̗. M̗okta j̄n am jinoe, k̄mij jar kilen k̄m̗m̗ane. im lel̗o̗k ajri eo n̄an Pastor en̗ ak ro em̗̄j k̄̄l̄t er im rej kajeraam̗m̗ane ajri en̗. Innem ̄likin Ij jerbal j̄n 7 awa n̄an 3 in jibbon̄. L̗een ippa ej k̄mij bade. jerbal in bon̄ im ro̗o̗ltok in 6 awa. Ej b̄kl̗o̗k n̄a n̄an jikin jerbal im ej k̄pooj ajri ran̗ nejimro Eoktak mour ilo America in, el̗ap an oktak! im b̄kl̗o̗k er n̄an jikin jikuul̗. Jet iien ij make Kw̄j jerbal, make l̗o̗k k̄n juon em̗, kwe im katt̄r n̄an jikin jerbal. eo ippam̗, kab ajri ro nejimiro. Ilo M̗ajel̗ k̄mij aolep jokwe ipp̄n doon, j̄n en̗ ippam̗ n̄an ajri Ilo iien eo sister ro rar em̗m̗ak̄tl̗o̗k n̄an Clare ran̗ nej nej̄m̗ im uncle im aunty ran̗ ilo juon House iar k̄pooji aolepen men ko rar aikuji im w̄t em̗ kileplep. Ak em̗m̗an ippa an n̄a w̄t im bo̗o̗ki n̄an er. K̄m ear etal im iar bar kadiw̄ji ajri ran̗ nejimro kab l̗een ippa. B̄tab ibar on̄ k̄n men ko m̗weiier j̄n bo̗o̗k ko im lik̄ti n̄an ijoko mennin eddek ko ilo M̗ajel̗ im m̗̄n̄̄ in M̗ajel̗ rar k̄n̗aan bwe ren p̄d ie. Elukkuun kar em̗m̗an ko. Ij call im kajjit̄k ipp̄n jin̄ n̄an jilkintok kij̄ im limo am kar jerbal ipp̄n doon. ak ejjab maron̄. Jema ear itok j̄n M̗ajel̗ im ear ebb̄ktok m̗̄n̄̄ in M̗ajel̗. Em̗̄j an ro̗o̗l wiik Ew̄r 5 nej̄ ajri. L̗adik eo er̄tto tata nej̄ ear itok eo ej jem̗l̗ok l̗o̗k. Jin̄ im jema jim̗̄r renaaj im kil̗aaj 7 ijin. Aolepen ajri r̄ nej̄ rar jikuul̗ lotok ē ilo M̄e, ikijoorore aer itok im leo ajri ran̗ ilo Eisenhower. Ear m̗̄kaj an l̄n̄ m̗̄ttaer. Ilo nej̄. kar jinoin rar jab jel̗̄ kajin p̄lle, ak ̄likin kar ruo

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 15 An Anonymous Marshallese Story As told by C. Jean Hayen

After my Catholic high school graduation on a for employment at Mt. Carmel. In January, 2017, Marshallese Island, I wanted to explore different I will take a CNA class here from Staff Educator areas of the world. I went to CMI (College of Candy. I like being with the Sisters. I am grateful Marshallese Islands) where I studied business for the health insurance I have at Mt. Carmel and management. But, it was not satisfying for me. My the Medicaid insurance for our three boys. friend had family in Enid, Oklahoma and asked me to go there with her. So, we left for Enid on May When asked about Dubuque, I must say that I 27, 1998. I lived there from 1998 – 2015. On July experience people avoiding me, whether at the 4, 1998, I met Robert William, Jr., father of our laundry, on the road, or in the park. We do play three boys. (Sad to say, Robert’s mother was badly volleyball and basketball in the park, but some affected by the nuclear testing done on the Islands.) kids take pictures or videos to harass us saying bad things about us. We have very few friends For about six months, I again went to a trade in Dubuque. However, we do have gatherings of school for business management in Enid, but our Marshallese community here in Dubuque. For stopped school when I became pregnant with example, we celebrate Christmas day and night our irst son, Rock Donny William, born May with dancing and singing. Every irst Sunday in 10, 2000. I remained a “stay-at-home” mom as December, we have Gospel Days like we had on two more boys were born— June 21, 2001, Rod the islands. Matthew William and May 10, 2007, Romeo Henry William. They are all US citizens as they To be honest, I love my life now here in Dubuque. were born in USA, but I am not a US citizen. I did I see a lot of changes with my family (sons and ind Oklahoma people very friendly. From 2012 husband)…good changes. Great changes actually! to 2015 after all three boys were in school, I went back to work as a dietary aide in a retirement home 1. They attend Church. They do not miss Mass. for elderly couples in Enid, Oklahoma. Back in Enid, OK, it was only me going to Church. When Robert’s brother, Reverend Stanley Samson, 2. Ever since we moved here, my husband stopped would come from Dubuque to church revivals in drinking and started going to Church! Oklahoma, he would urge us to come to Dubuque. Stanley is pastor at Paradise Church on Jackson Anyways, I would say it’s different now that I’ve Street, which has only Marshallese people wor- made some friends and I got to know that we got shipping there. Finally, in August 2015, Robert, some good people here. Anyways, I can see my I, and our three boys came to Dubuque and we family living here for a long time. My sons love it continue to live with Stanley on Cleveland Avenue here, they’ve met new friends. The only downside near Bryant School. We have illed out many is we’ve been here for a year and four months and housing applications, but have not been given the still living with our Pastor Stanley Samson. I am opportunity to sit down with authorities and get beyond grateful that he and his wife still are letting any assistance in getting the application processed us stay with them. I thank God every day for him! nor in getting housing. Don’t get me wrong. We are still looking! Getting housing is a big challenge. I have God on my side. I learned about the nurse aide work opportunity at With God anything is possible. We just have to Mt. Carmel from Stan’s wife, Marsha Samson, sis- trust in God! Let go and let God!! ter of Jessica. Marsha brought me the application

16 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Bwebwenato in mour ilo Majol Komman Ibben C. Jean Hayen

Ālikin aô kadiojlok jan Catholic high school ilo ñan jerbal ilo Mt. Carmel. Ilo January, 2017, inaj Majol, iar kônan jelâ kôn aeloñ ko jet ilo lal in. Iar boke juon CNA class ijin ippen Staff Educator jikul ilo CMI (College of Marshallese Islands) im Candy. Elap an emman pad ippen Sister ro. Elap bok kôn business management. Ijokwe, iar jab luk- ao kammoolol kôn injuren in takto e ao ippen Mt. kun juu buruô kake. Juon ledrik môtta ear wor an Carmel im injuren in Medicaid eo an ladrik ra jilu paamle ilo, Oklahoma im ear kajitôk bwe in etal im nejimro. jokwe ippen. Kôn menin, kômro ar emmakut ñan Enid ilo May 27, 1998. Iar jokwe ijôn jan 1998 – Ñe rej kajitokin iiô kôn Dubuque, ij kwalok ke ij 2015. Ilo July 4, 1998, iar ione Robert William, Jr., kile an armej jab kanooj kebake, meñe ilo jikin eo ij jemen ladrik ro jilu nejimro. (Iburomôj in ba laundry, ilo ial ko, ak ilo park eo. Kômij ikkure bwe, jinen Robert ekkar lap an jorran jan nuclear volleyball im basketball ilo park en, ak ajri ro rej ko rar komman kômalmel kaki ilo ene ko.) pijaik im videoik kôm ñan kabnono im komman kojak im ba nae kôm. Ewor jejjno mottam Enañin jiljino alloñ ko, iar bar jikul ilo juon trade ilo Dubuque. Ijokwe, ewor iien Ri Majol ro ilo school kôn business management ilo Enid, ak iar Dubuque rej koba ippen droon. Ñan wan joñak, bojrak kôn aô bôroro ladrik eo kein kajuon nejim- kômij Kurijman ran im boñ im eb im al ñan ro, Rock Donny William, lotak ilo May 10, 2000. kememej Kurijmaj. Aolep Jabôt en jinointata ilo Iar pad wôt im juon “stay-at-home” mom konk Tijemba, kômij kommane Gospel Day ko âinwôt ebar lotak ruo bar ladrik— June 21, 2001, Rod aer kommane ilo Majol. Matthew William im May 10, 2007, Romeo Henry William. Irjel aolep rej US citizens konke rar lotak Ij kwalok mool, elap an emmanlok mour ilo ilo USA, ijokwe ña ijjab juon US citizen. Iar lowe Dubuque. Ij loe elap oktak ippen paamle e aô bwe armej in Oklahoma elap aer remman. Jan 2012 (ladrik ro neju im leo ippa)…oktak ko remman. ñan 2015 âlikin an aolep ladrik ro pad ilo jikul, iar Oktak ko rellap ilo! bar rool ñan jikul âinwôt juon dietary aide ilo juon 1. Rej etal ñan mon jar. Rejjab jako jan ien Mass. imon ritto ro emoj aer retire ilo Enid, Oklahoma. Ke kôm ar pad ilo Enid, EOKWE, kar ña wôt ikôn etal ñan mon jar. Ke leo jein Robert, Reverend Stanley Sam- 2. Jan ke kôm ar emmakut tok ñan ijin, leo ippa son, ekôn itok jan Dubuque ñan ien jar koi lo ebojrak an kadek ak ej jino etal ñan imon jar! Oklahoma, ekôn ba bwe kômin emmakutlok ñan Dubuque. Stanley ej pastor ilo Paradise Church ion Mekarta, inaaj ba bwe eoktak kiô bwe ewor jet Jackson Street, me Ri Majol wôt rej jar ie. Aliktata, môtta im emoj ao jelâ bwe ej wor wor armej rim- ilo August 2015, Robert, im ña, im ladrik ro jilu man. Ij remanlok im lo bwe paamle in ao enaj too nejimro kôm are emmakut Dubuque im kômij jok- aer jokwe ijin. Ladrik ra neju elap aer yokwe ijin, we wôt ippen Stanley ilo Cleveland Avenue iturin ewor kiô mottaer. Men eo drein bwe emootlok dre Bryant School. Emoj am kanne pepa ko ñan aolep juon iiô im emen alloñ ak kômij jokwe wôt ippen kain jikin jokwe, bôtap ejjañin wor en enañin jijet Pastor eo am Stanley Samson. Elaplok jan am ma- ippem ak jabrewôt kain jipañ ñan kommane pepa roñ kammoolol e im lio ippen kôn aer kôtlok bwe ñan jikin jokwe. kômin jokwe ippaer. Ij kammolole Anij ran otemjej kôn e! En jab bod am lomnak. Kômij kabbok wôt! Kôm are roñ kake jerbal in nurse aide ilo Mt. Car- Ejjab biroro ellolo jikin jokwe. Ak Anij ej rejtake mel jan lio ippen Stan, Marsha Samson, sister eo iiô. Ippen Anij men otemjej renaj tobrak. Kôj jej an Jessica. Marsha ear bôktok juon ao application aikuj liki Anij! Kôtlok im Lelok ñan Anij!

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 17 Barlina Samson As told by Mira Mosle Christmas In 1857, missionaries came from Boston to preach. There are a lot of Marshallese that don’t speak En- This is why we celebrate Christmas on Sunday. glish. A lot can understand but don’t speak it. We The Sunday before we gather in church and sing have been really blessed and appreciate what Irene one or two of our songs. At Christmas, we get to (Ernest) has been doing to help the community. show what we were practicing at our First Assem- She worked with the health care community, and bly of God church. We spend all day and night at it’s been a lot more easier for some of us who did church until all performances are completed. not have insurance to go to the doctor. It means a lot for us. In the Islands, in September or October, we start practicing 10 or so songs from then on. On Gospel Language Sunday, the irst Sunday of December, all groups I came to the USA in 2008 and didn’t know how gather in Church to show their songs and dances. to speak English and read. I went to school in In the Islands, they will celebrate for four days 2009 and took ESL classes. It was hard when the straight until all performances are done. They can teacher asked a question and I didn’t know what stay all night. Christmas is very special with songs, the teacher was saying. I took my homework to my music and dances. I do all three. ESL teacher and he explained it all. When I was in 12th grade I was so excited that I would graduate. On Christmas, we have food like chicken, rice, And here I am working at the Sisters of Charity. salad, fruit, and cake. We bring food. Each group It’s a really nice place. I love the Sisters. And that’s brings something different. We also wear uniforms when I started facing diversity. and some of the Marshallese women sew the uniform dresses and shirts. Some families also do A lot (of Marshallese) don’t speak English. A lot gift giving. can understand but don’t speak it. For now, they hope Irene goes house to house and gives papers On Christmas, church is irst at noon, then food, for health care. My mother-in-law doesn’t speak. then the program. Everybody performs and every- She has a son and daughter-in-law who have been body practices from October. here a long time. Their children translate at the bank and hospital, or on the phone. She gives the LaLa and I are in different churches. There are phone and they translate for her. For me at the three different churches –Paradise Assembly of grocery store, sometimes I don’t know what’s God, Full Gospel and New Hope. All do the same on the can. For me, it’s easier to read than speak. thing at Christmas. Each church has a different Sometimes if I don’t know a word, I ask. I use the color uniform. My group is only my brother’s phone a lot. Sometimes I go to the library or use a family. Every deacon or deaconess has his or her phone to look up a word. own group. Decorations (samples shown on iphone pictures) Health Care Birthday decorations. Lots of weavings. Men and Sometimes I don’t go to the doctor at Mercy women make the weavings, and earrings. Also, because I don’t have health insurance. One time showed photo of 1-year-old son Makaio. I went and they sent me back home because they wanted to have insurance. I had to pay for medica- Future tion. The I-94 covered my pregnancy and since the I’m starting on-line classes next month through baby is a citizen, he has insurance. NICC for ultimately medical assistant for CNA. It takes two months. (Note: Barlina passed the Some Marshallese need health care. A lot of them course.) don’t have it. For my husband’s mother, the reason they came here is she was sick and they thought it was easier to get health care here. She goes to the free clinic at Cedar Rapids every month and gets medication. In the Marshall Islands, we don’t get treatment and medication. Some do but some don’t.

18 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Barlina Samson Komman ibben Mira Mosle Christmas insurance ijin. Ej etal aolep all̄n̄ n̄an jikin takt̄ Ilo kar 1857 eo, missionarie ro rar itok j̄n ael̄n̄in en̗, Cedar Rapids im ebb̄k limen uno. Ilo M̗ajel̗, Boston n̄an kwal̗o̗k naan. En̄in unin k̄mij cel- ejjab aolep remaron ebb̄k limeer uno im etal n̄an ebrate iien Christmas ilo raanin Jab̄t. M̗oktal̗o̗k jikin takt̄. El̄n̄ RiM̗ajel̗ rejjab maron̄ kajin k̄mij koba ipp̄n doon ilo im̗̄n jar en̗ im al k̄n p̄lle, el̄n̄ remaron̄ mel̗el̗e ak̄ rejjab maron̄ juon ak ruo iaan al kan̗ am. Innem ilo iien Christ- k̄nnaan ilo kajin p̄lle. El̗ap am jeraam̗m̗an im mas k̄mij kwal̗o̗k biit im al ko k̄mar katak kam̗m̗oolol k̄n an Irene (Ernest) jipan̄ k̄m. m̗aantak im k̄mij k̄m̗m̗ani ilo im̗̄n jar eo an Ej jerbal im jipan̄ ikijjeen takt̄, im epidodol̗o̗k Assembly of God. K̄mij p̄d ilo im̗̄n jar en̗ n̄an n̄an jet iaam me ejjel̗o̗k am insurance n̄an am iien eo em̗̄j aolepen biit im al ko k̄mar k̄ppooji. maron̄ takt̄. El̗ap am kam̗m̗oolol k̄n men in.

Ilo ̄neeo, ilo all̄n̄in Jept̄m̗ba ak Oktoba, k̄mij Kajin jino k̄pooje 10 jim̗a al. Innem ilo Jab̄t in Gospel Iar itok n̄an America in ilo 2008 eo im iar jab en̗, Jab̄t en̗ m̗oktata ilo Tijem̗ba, kajjojo kumi jel̗̄ riit im kajin p̄lle. Iar jikuul ilo 2009 eo im iar rej koba ipp̄n doon ilo im̗̄n jar en̗ n̄an aer b̄k k̄n kil̗aaj in kajin p̄lle. Ear pen n̄e r̄kaki kwal̗o̗k al ak biit ko rar k̄pooji. Ilo ̄neeo, 4 eo ej kajjit̄k im ijjab mel̗el̗e kajjit̄k ko an. Iar raanin aer kwal̗o̗k al im biit ko rar k̄pooji n̄an b̄kl̗o̗k homework eo ā n̄an r̄kaki in ESL eo iien eo ededel̗o̗k aolep kumi. Iien Christmas ā im ear k̄mel̗el̗eik aolep men. Ke iar kilaaj 12 ejejuwaan im ej juon iien n̄an kwal̗o̗k k̄jan̄jan̄, iar lukkuun m̗̄n̗̄n̗̄ ke iar maron̄ kadiw̄jl̗o̗k. al, im biit ko. Ij b̄k kun̗ā ilo aolepen men kein Im kiī ij jerbal ilo Sisters of Charity. El̗ap an jilu. em̗m̗an jikin in, el̗ap ā yokwe sister ro im en̄in ej iien eo iar loe el̄n̄ oktak ko. Ilo iien Christmas ew̄r bao, rice, salad, fruit, im cake. K̄mij b̄kitok m̗̄n̄̄ ko. Kajjojo kumi El̄n̄ RiM̗ajel̗ ro rejjab jel̗̄ kajin p̄lle. El̄n̄ ej k̄pooj tok men ko kun̗aan. K̄mij bareinw̄t remaron̄ mel̗el̗e ak rejjab maron̄ k̄nnaan ilo uniform im jet iaan k̄r̄ in M̗ajel ̗ ro rej kiiji kajin p̄lle. Kiī rej k̄jatdikdik bwe Irene enaaj uniform kein. Bareinw̄t jet baam̗le rej k̄m̗m̗an etal n̄an m̗̄ko im̗weer im b̄kl̗o̗k aer peba gift in health care. Lel̗l̗ap eo jinen l̗een ippa ejjab maron̄ k̄nnaan ilo kajin p̄lle. Ew̄r juon nejin Ilo iien Christmas, iien jar ej jino in r̄elep innem l̗addik im k̄r̄ eo ipp̄n l̗adik eo nejin eto aer p̄d k̄mij m̗̄n̄̄, im kiī ej kab iien kwal̗o̗k al im ijin. Ajri ro nejieer rej jerbal in ukok ilo bank im biit ko aolep rar k̄pooji. Aolep rej b̄k kun̗aaer hospital im rej bareinw̄t k̄jerbal telephone n̄an im rej k̄mm̄lmel j̄n Oktoba. Eoktak kabun̄ k̄ aer k̄m̗m̗ane jerbal in. Ej lel̗o̗k telephone eo im am̗ro Lala j̄n doon. Ew̄r jilu baat in Assembly rej ukok n̄ane. Ilo m̗̄n wia ko, jet iien ijjab jel̗̄ of God me reoktak j̄n doon, juon ej Paradise As- ta kan̗ rej ba ilo can in m̗̄n̄̄ kan̗. Epidodol̗o̗k sembly of God, Full Gospel, im New Hope. Ilo iien ā riit j̄n ā k̄nnaan. Jet iien n̄e ijjab jel̗̄ juon Christmas, kabun̄ kein rej jim̗̄r k̄m̗m̗ani men naan ij kajjit̄k. El̗ap ā k̄jerbal telephone eo. Jet ko em̗̄j k̄llaajraki me k̄mij k̄m̗m̗ani ilo iien iien ij etal n̄an library en̗ ak k̄jerbal telephone eo Christmas. Juon kabun̄ eoktak en̗ an color in uni- n̄an ā jel̗̄ mel̗el̗ein juon naan. form. Ilo kumi en ij p̄d ie aoleeper ej baam̗le en̗ an l̗adik en jeī/jat̄. Kajjojo deacon im deaconess Kain̄kn̄k (pija ko ilo iphone eo) ew̄r make an kumi. Kein kain̄kn̄k ko ilo iien birthday ko. El̄n̄ rej ̄j. Em̗m̗aan im k̄r̄ ro rej ̄j im rej k̄m̗m̗an Jipan̄ Ikijjeen Takt̄ dede. Āinw̄t an wal̗o̗k ilo pijain Makaio ke ej Jet iien ij etal n̄an Mercy k̄nke ejjel̗o̗k ā health juon an iī. insurance. Juon iien iar etal im rar bar karo̗o̗l n̄a k̄nke ej aikuj w̄r ā insurance innem iar aikuj Ilju im Jekl̗aj k̄ll̄ on̄̄n uno ko lim̗̄. I-94 eo ear b̄k eddoī Jino j̄n all̄n̄ in lal̗ inaaj jinoe b̄k kil̗aaj ko ke ear l̗ap lo̗jeē im k̄nke ajri eo nej̄ ej citizen online ikijjeen NICC n̄an ā lukkuun juon eo ej ear w̄r an insurance. Ew̄r jet RiM̗ajel̗ rej aikuj jipan̄ n̄an CNA. Enaaj b̄k ruo all̄n̄. (Note: aer insurance, el̄n̄ iaaer ejjel̗o̗k aer. K̄r̄ en jin- Em̗̄j an Barlina pass e course eo.) en l̗een ippa ear itok n̄an ijin k̄nke ear nanin̄mej im rar l̗̄mn̗ak epidodol̗o̗k n̄an aer ello aer

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 19 Arcie Lokeijak As told by Mary Ellen Caldwell

In 1997, when I was 17 years old and a junior Gospel church. I belong to the Assembly of God, in high school, my parents decided to take early Danella’s brother is the pastor. We celebrate Christ- retirement and to come to the United States. They mas just as you do. We also have a special feast. were eager that I receive a good education. My Constitution Day is celebrated on May 31. We brother was already in the United States with his sing, dance and share our handcrafts. A few years wife and two sons. We left Majuro Island, one ago, we enjoyed bringing our community to share of the many Marshall Islands. On the way, we our music with the sisters here at Mount Carmel. stopped in Honolulu for a couple of days and then went on to Oklahoma where we stayed until We keep in touch with our family in the Marshall 2003. During this time, my father became ill so we Islands every day through Facebook, and about returned to the Marshall Islands where he died. I once a month using skype. We don’t have to bother was sad to leave home, my friends, my extended with a telephone, the computer takes care of our family. I missed so many aspects of my life there: communication needs. We speak Marshallese in the food (more seafood and rice), the white sandy our own local community. beaches where I could swim during the perpetual summer and go on frequent ishing trips with my A sad even occurred in our family recently, my Dad. We would catch tuna and marlin. We arrived brother Danny, 44 years old, died on February 8 in Dubuque in February so I felt the cold acutely; it after suffering from liver disease for about two would take a while for me to become accustomed years. Danella, another friend and I drove to Enid, to winter! Oklahoma for his funeral. He leaves his wife, three sons and two daughters Rick, Eric, Dan, Karba- I inished high school in Oklahoma; I found the nia and Dancy. Dancy, the youngest daughter, is curriculum more extensive and had to study harder. a junior in high school. The eldest son, Rick, is After high school, I took a course at a technical planning to be married. The grieving family will be school to prepare me to take care of disabled able to celebrate a joyful occasion children; then I worked at a government facility for . disabled children. I didn’t like Oklahoma; in 2004, Dubuque has been welcoming, people have helped we moved to Dubuque. Our cousins had moved us in many ways. Nevertheless, I wish I could here earlier. I like Dubuque and like to work here, have stayed in the Marshall Islands. It is home people are friendly. The large Marshallese commu- and I have more family there. Sometimes I am nity in Dubuque helps me to feel at home. We live homesick. close to one another and have our own churches— Assembly of God, New Hope church, and Full

Cemetery scene on the Marshall Islands. © Stefan Lins. Flickr Creative Commons.

20 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Arcie Lokeijak Komman ibben Mary Ellen Caldwell

Ilo 1997, ke ej 17 iiô dretta im junior high school, Gospel Church. Ij jar ippen Assembly of God, leo dritto ro jino im jema rar pepe in bok early retire- jein Danella ej pastor eo. Kômij kurijmaj einwôt ment eo aerro im emmakuttok ñan Amerka. Rar ami kommane. Kômij bar komman kwojkwoj ko. lukkun kijoror bwe in jikul ilo jikul ko remmanlok. Raan in Constitution Day eo am ej komman ilo Leo jeiu epad kadede ilo Amerka ippen lio ippen May 31. Kômij al, eb im komman amimôno ko. im ladrik ro ruo nejin. Kôm ar etal jan Majuro, Jejjo iiô ko remootlok, kôm ar mônônô in lolok im juon ian ene ko ilo Majol. Ilo ial in tok, kôm ar pad ikkure im al ñan sister ro ilo Mount Carmel. jejjo ran ilo Honolulu im etal wot ñan Oklahoma ijo kôm pad im jokwe ie mae iiô eo 2003. Ilo kar Kômij ennaan wôt ippen paamle ko am ilo Majol tôrein, jema ear nañinmej im kôm ar bar rool ñan aolep ran ilo Facebook, im juon allen ilo juon alloñ Majol ijo ear mej na ie. Iar lukkun buromoj ke iar kemij skype. Kômij jab aikuj kenaan ilo telephone, emmakôt jan ijo jiku, ro motta, im paamle ko aô. computer eo ej kommane menin ikijien aikuj ñan Eloñ men kar mottan mour eo aô iar buromoj kaki: ennaan ippen paamle ko Majol. Kômij kajin Majol môña kijo (ekkan in lojet im rice), bokin in barijet ippen Ri Majol ro jet ilo community in. ko remouj ijo ekka ao tutu ie im eoñad ippan jema. Kemij kojok tuna im marlin. Kôm ar tôkeaktok ilo Juon men ekaburomojmoj ear walok ñan paamle in Dubuque ilo Papode im iar lukkun bio; etto bwe in am, leo jeiu Danny 44 drettan, ear mej, ilo Pepode iminene kôn an môlo! 8 alikin an kar eñtan kon nañin mej in aj iuwmin ruo iiô. Danella, juon motta kômro ar kattorlok ñan Iar kamoj ao high school ilo Oklahoma; ekkar jab Enid, Oklahoma ña ilomej. Emmotlok jan wôt lio biroro katak koi im ikôn aikuj bok elaplok ien ñan ippen, jilu nejin ladrik im ruo nejin ledrik, Rick, ao katak im kate iiô. Alikin high school, Iar bok jet Eric, Dan, Karbania im Dancy. Dancy, the ledrik eo kooj ilo technical school bwe in jerbal ippen ajri ediktatar, ej junior ilo high school. Ladrik eo nejin ro ewor aer utamwe; im tok alik iar jerbal ilo juon eritotata, Rick, ej bojak im mare. Paamle in me rej jikin an kien ñan ajri ro ewor aer utamwe. Ear jab buromoj wot renaj maroñ lo lañlôñ ilo naj iien in emman ippa Oklahoma; ilo 2004 kôm ar emmakut ekamônônô. ñan Dubuque. Cousin ro aô rar emmakut moktalok ñan ijin. Emman ippa Dubuque im emman ao jer- Elap an Dubuque karuwenene, armej ro ie elap bal ie, rejouj armej ro. Elap an lôñ Ri Majol ro rej aer jipañ ilo kain wawen ko. Mekarta, illukun kar jokwe ilo Dubuque im ekomman bwe einwôt ñe ijo kônan pad wôt ilo Majol. Ej aô lawoden im ijo ro jiku. Kômij jokwe epake doon im jar ippen doon nuku im paamle rej pad ie. Jet ien ij oñ kake. ilo Assembly of God, New Hope Church, im Full

Donella Samson As told by Mary Jean Ferry My name is Donella Samson. I am a single mother. that I left Maui, I was frightened in the airports. It I have an 18-year-old son named Riten Jose was hard to read the signs and I didn’t know where Samson. He is in Hempstead High School here in to go or what to do. I just kept asking people for Dubuque. I came from a family of 7 and one step help. A man, who was cleaning helped me ind my sister who is working here at Mt. Carmel too. I way. If it wasn’t for this man, I don’t know where I have four brothers, two sisters and one step sister. would be today. My dad has gone to God. My mom is still living and staying with my older brother, Stan, and his While I was in Enid, Oklahoma, I was working in a family. meat packing company for ive years. Then, I came to Dubuque with my brother, his family and other When I left the Marshall Islands, I traveled with church members to share the Word of God with other students. First, we went to Maui and then, Marshallese people. I am proud of my brother for after two years, I left for Oklahoma. On the day his hard work in reaching out to many Marshallese

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 21 who were lost and now have found the truth are happy to be here. My mom loves it here but through God’s word. God is good. she hates the weather. She doesn’t like the cold When I came to Dubuque, I worked in a hotel do- weather. I have gotten used to it. I am not afraid ing housekeeping for two years. Then, I applied at to drive in the snow and I love it. I have a car and Mt. Carmel. They accepted me and taught me how a truck. I drive my car mostly. Sometimes, I drive to help the Sisters. I do love what I am doing now. my truck to work. I love the Sisters. I love working at Mt. Carmel. I have 13 years working here. I know everybody On Christmas Day, the Marshallese will be togeth- around. I love the Sisters. I love everybody. er all day long to celebrate the birth of Jesus. My About ive or six years ago, my parents came to brother will lead the service. Then, we will eat, visit. Three weeks after their visit, my dad passed. dance and have a good time. You are invited to He was a judge and a very good man. I miss him come. a lot. I wish he could be here with me, my son and I love being Marshallese. I am proud to be Mar- my mom. shallese and proud of my Marshallese family. We are together a lot. We know everyone. We love to Both my mother and my son are doing well and pray.

Donella Samson Komman ibben Mary Jean Ferry Eta in Donella Samson. Ij juon jinen eo imake iaô. jerbal ilo Mt. Carmel. Rar bôk iiô im katakin iiô Ewor juon neju ladrik 18 iiô drettan etan in Riten kilen jipañ Sister rein. Elap ao emman jerbal in ij Jose Samson. Ej jikul ilo Hempstead High School kômmane kiô. Elap ao yokwe Sister ro. Emman ijin ilo Dubuque. Ij itok jan paamle eo 7 iuwan im ippa jerbal ilo Mt. Carmel. Ewor dre 13 iiô ko in al juon kakajiriri kôra eo im ej jerbal ijin bareinwôt jerbal ijin. Elap aô jelâ kajien aolep. Ij yokwe sister ilo Mt. Carmel. Ewor emen jeiu im jatu ladrik, ruo ro. Ij yokwe aolep. jeiu im jatu ledrik kab juon kôkajiri jatu ledrik. Enañin lalem ak jijno iiô ko remotlok, jinô im jema Jema emoj an jako im emootlok ippen Anij. Jinô ej rar lotok iiô. Jilu week âlikin aer lotok, jema ear mour wôt im ej jokwe ippen leo jeiu etan Stan im jako. Ekar juon riekajet im juon armej ekanojin paamle eo an. emmaan. Elap aô oñ kake. Ilukkun kônan bwe en Ke iar emmakut jan Majol, iar itok âinwôt ippen kar pad ippa im ladrik eo neju im jinô. bar jet jikul. Kôm etal moktata ñan Maui im tok alik, alikin ruo iiô, iar etal ñan Oklahoma. Ilo ran Jinô im ladrik eo neju rej emman aero pad im rej eo ke iar emmakut jan Maui, Iar kanooj lelñan ilo mônônô in pad ijin. Elap an jinô yokwe iijin ak air port ko. Elukkun kar pen riiti jeje koi m iar edrik mejatoto in ijin. Edrike an môlo. Emôj aô jaje ia eo in etal ñane im ta eo in kômmane. Iar iminene kake. Ijjab mijak in kattôr ilo jino im baj kajitôk wot ippen armej ro bwe ren jipañ. Juon elukkun emman ippa. Ewor juon waô car im juon emmaan, eo ej kareo ear jipañ iiô ia in etal ñan e. truck. Ekkâ wôt aô kattôre car eo. Jet ien ij kattôre Elaññe en kar jab emmaan in, ijaje inaj kar pad ia truck eo ñan jerbal. rainin. Ke iar pad ilo Enid, Oklahoma, iar jerbal ilo juon Ilo raan in Kurijmaj, Ri Majol ro rej koba ippen jikin rej pakiji kaniek ko iumwin lalem iiô ko. doon ñan kememe raan ilo lotak eo an Jijej aolepen Tokâlik, iar emmakuttok ñan Dubuque ippen leo raan en. Leo jeiu eo ej tôle ien jar. Tok âlik, kômij jeiu, e im paamle eo an kab ro iuwan môn jar eo an môñâ, piit im eb im kuut taim. Kwo lukkun kômij jipañ letoletak Naan in Anij ippen Ri Majol ruwânene in. ro. Elap an utiej buruo kôn Ieo jeiu kôn an kate ilo jerbal in ñan tobar Ri Majol ro im rar jebabwe ak Imônônô bwe ij Ri Majol. Elap an utiej buruô bwe kiô emoj aer loe mool eo ikijien naan in Anij. Anij ña Ri Majol im ej utiej buruô kôn paamle in Ri emman. Majol eo. Elap am koba ippen droon. Kôm jelâ Ke iar itok ñan Dubuque, iar jerbalin kareo ilo juon kajjien aolep. Elap an emman jar ippem. hotel iuwmin ruo iiô. Tok âlik, iar kanne pepa in

22 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories An Anonymous Marshallese Story As told by C. Jean Hayen

In 1995, I was born in Majuro, Marshall Island. I began as a nurse aide at Mt. Carmel with the My Mom, brother, and I came to Texas to join Sisters of Charity, BVM caring for Sisters on the my Dad who was in the army and stationed there skilled care loors. I love the Sisters and enjoy - though overseas at the time of our arrival. I was helping them in any way I can. I can’t say “no” to four years old and my brother was ive. We lived in any of their needs or requests. an apartment at the army base. In 2015, my brother moved with friends to Seattle When Dad was out of the army, we moved as a and still lives there. family to Cedar Rapids, IA. We lived there where my brother and I went to a public grade school. December 2015, I moved to a downtown apartment We loved the school and the city. We had two living by myself. My apartment is near my folks’ teachers who taught us ESL (English as a Second apartment so I see them often. I enjoy my place, Language) and they were very nice. Mom and Dad friends, family, and going to the New Hope worked at a candy factory, which they loved. We Church on Jackson Street. All church members lived in a very nice apartment. At the time, there are Marshallese persons. Our songs are sung in were very few Marshallese people living in Cedar Marshallese and we enjoy Marshallese dances. I Rapids. treasure worshipping God among my people.

After two or three years, we moved to Dubuque, IA Being of low-income, I would appreciate any as- where Mom and Dad had relatives and Marshallese sistance in applying for medical insurance or aide friends. My brother, 10, and I, 9, loved our new of any type. (I had to be off work for two months city. We lived with relatives before we found an and delayed paying my rent. My renters have now apartment to live in. We went to Lincoln School, called for a court hearing regarding the back pay- which was good. Washington Junior High was ments, even though I can now pay them.) our next school, followed by Senior High School. Because of our very ine ESL classes in Cedar The Dubuque community is welcoming and I love Rapids, English was not a problem for us. My the people here in the city, as well as the Sisters favorite class was social studies because I liked and my being with other Marshallese. I enjoy the doing projects with others. pond and lowers in Marshall Park. My plan is to live life here to the fullest!!! After high school graduation, I continued living with my family for a year. In the autumn of 2015,

Bwebwenato in mour ilo Majol Komman ibben C. Jean Hayen

Iar lotak ilo Majuro iiô eo1995, ilo Aelôñ in Majol. rar jerbal ilo juon jikin komman lole ko, im ear Jinô kab ladik jeiu kôm ar emmakut tok ñan Texas lukkun emman ippaero. Ear bar lukkun emman ippan jema eo ear jerbal in ritarinae im pad ijon - mweo komij jokwe ie. Ilo kar tôreo, ekkar kanooj ak ke kôm ar tôkeaklok jemam ear pad ilo lal ko jeja RiMajol ro rej jokwe ilo Cedar Rapids. rettolok ikijjien jerbal. Kar emen iiô dretta ak ladik eo jeiu kar lalem an iiô. Kôm ar jokwe ilo juon Alikin ruo ak jilu iiô ko, kôm ar emmakut ñan apaatmen ilo jikin ritarinae. Dubuque, IA ijo ear wor Ri Majol ro nukun im mottan Mama im Baba ie. Kômro ladrik eo jeiu Ke jema ear driojlok jan ritarinae, kôm ar em- kar 10 drettan im ña 9 kar lukkun yokwe bukon in makut âinwôt juon paamle ñan Cedar Rapids, IA. ekaal. Kôm ar jokwe ippen armej ro nukum mae Kôm jokwe ijin im komro ladrik eo jeiu are jikul ien kôm loe juon appaatmen in jokwe ie. Kôm ar ilo jikul an public. Ekkar lukkun emman ippamro jikuul ilo Lincoln School, me ekkar emman. Jikuul jikul eo im bukon in. Ekkar wor ruo amro rikaki to tok juon kôm ar pad ie kar Washington Junior ro rar katakin komro ESL (English as a Second High im tok alikin Senior High School. Kôn an kar Language) im relukkun kar emman. Jino im jema emman class in ESL koi lo Cedar Rapids, ekkar

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 23 ejjelok abañ ilo kajin palle ippemro. Class eo em- mottan, paamle, im aô etal ñan môn jar eo an New mantata ippa kar social studies kônke emman ippa Hope ilo Jackson Street. Aolepn ro iuwan mon jar kômman project ko ippen ro jet. in rej Ri Majol. Komij al aolepen al ko ilo kajin majol im elap an emman eb in Majol. Elap ao Alikin aô kadiojlok jan high school, iar jokwe wôt karôke in ao kabuñ ibwilijin armej ro aô. ippen paamle eo ao bar juon iiô. Ilo kar jemlokin- lok iiô 22015, Iar jino katak kôn nurse aide ilo Mt. Kôn an drik wônea, elap ao mônônô im bôk Carmel ippen Sisters of Charity, BVM caring for jabrewôt kain menin jipañ kon injuren in takto ak Sisters ñan kata kilen lale ritto ro. Iar lukkun yok- jabdrewôt kain jipañ. (Iar aikuj jolok aô jerbal ruo we Sister rein im jipañ er etal ñan ijok rej kônan allôñ im erumij aô kôlIâ wônan rent eo ao. Emoj an etal ñani. Eben aô ba “jab” ñan jabrewôt aikuj ko ri rent ro aô boklok iiô ñan jikin ekajet ikijien muri aer ak kajitôk ko aer. ko ao, meñe kiiô imaroñ kôllâiki er.)

Ilo iiô eo 2015, likao eo jeiu ear emmakut lok ñan Armej ro ilo The Dubuque community elap aer Seattle ippen jet mottam im jokwe ippeir. karuwenene im elap aô yokwe armej rein ilo jikin in, ekoba Sisters im ilo aô koba ippen ri majol ro Ilo December 2015, iar emmakut ñan juon appaat- jet. Elap an emman lwe jidikdik eo im wut koi lo men ilo tauntaun im jokwe ippa make. Appaatmen Marshall Park. Ej ao pepe bwe in jokwe ijin im eo ao epaaklok ñan appaatmen to an jinô im jema jukjuk im amnak ie!!! im ekkâ ao loe er. Elap an emman ijo jiku, ro

Irene Ernest’s Story As told by Art Roche

My mother was Marshallese and my father was I was wearing my home dress- the one I wear all Kosraean. That’s the island where my grandfather the time. I was cooking and preparing the food for was king. Kosrae is the place, Kosraeans are the the wedding. It was the day of my son’s irst birth- people. Kosrae isn’t one of the Marshall Islands. day. It’s a very special day and a big celebration Today, it’s part of the Federated States of Micro- in our culture. We didn’t mention the wedding to nesia. So yes, I’m a princess, but not anymore. anyone. All of a sudden my step parents wanted us They don’t have kings or princesses anymore but to get married before my son’s irst birthday party. they still call it royal blood in our family. They still So we did, just an hour before. People came for respect that. the birthday party, not the wedding. People didn’t know we were getting married then. The birthday I grew up in Ponapei. I was about ifteen years old. party was at my parents’ house. But the wedding I tried to inish high school but I didn’t make it. I was nearby at my in-laws’ house. applied for a job because only my father worked in my family --as a captain for the government of This all happened on July 25, 1987, in the evening the Marshall Islands. I needed to go out there and around 6 o’clock. Everybody was there, all the try to ind my future. I was in school for about a family, making food for the birthday. year and then I quit at age 15. I had two kinds of jobs—in the store working as a cashier, and in the Jenta, my husband, was sick the night we were restaurant as a waitress. I worked for about four going to get married two days earlier. He was sick years and that’s when I met my husband at about the night we got married too but we did it anyway. age 19. We had a pastor come to do the ceremony for the wedding and also to bless the irst birthday party. So we got married about eight months after we The wedding took about 45 minutes. No rings, no met. Without my parents’ permission. lowers. We just put our hands on the bible. We were so young that we didn’t realize the wedding The night we got married I called my parents to was very important. We didn’t prepare for it. But come. My father was not in favor of it so he didn’t we knew the birthday party was important. It was show up. But my mom did. But she didn’t enter the kind of like “Why not get married?” But we were house-- she stayed outside. We were married in my pretty committed to each other. husband’s parents’ house. It was not a big fancy wedding. Jenta is about six years older than me. He was 25, I was 19.

24 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories It didn’t take long. We were rushing so we could We came to Hawaii in 2008. In 2009, after going get back to the birthday party. No one knew that back to Marshall Islands briely we came here. we were having another ceremony at that time. First to Enid, Oklahoma for three or four months You asked me why do people marry in the but we were planning to come here to Dubuque. Marshall Islands? Do they marry for love or for We came here looking for health care. In Enid economic reasons or other reasons? Well, we and in Hawaii we couldn’t get any healthcare but know that if couples are not married it’s not right we knew we could in Dubuque and we did. We because, according to the bible, if two persons love heard from Jenta’s family who used to live here each other, we don’t want to be a couple without in Dubuque, one of his nephews. His sister told marrying. That’s one of our religious rules, that’s us “there’s no place they can help you without why we get married. And, sure there was also an insurance but Dubuque, Iowa.” We went to Cres- element of love. All we know back home, is get cent. I’m still not sure how it happened, but Jenta married, be a happy couple, take care of your was able to see a doctor and get eye surgery. The kids. That’s how our parents taught us- if you love pharmacists taught us how to take care of ourselves each other you should be married before you have with the medicines that we take and we learned your children. We didn’t quite do that but almost. how to prepare our food. I am also a diabetic but We knew we wanted to get married. It was not a not as bad as Jenta. inancial reason. Then we got dismissed from care. I didn’t under- I have two brothers and one sister. They were not stand—every time they mailed me I didn’t check at the wedding. They were at the birthday party. my mail very carefully and that’s why we got dis- At the wedding there was Jenta’s parents, his older missed from care. And I thought we could pay just sister, not my mom because she wouldn’t come a little each month but then I didn’t do that either. into the house because she didn’t approve of my Now because of the Dubuque Marshall Islands husband. Health Project, both Jenta and I are back in care with Crescent. Jenta’s sister and father were witnesses and my mom. We had to call her inside, and she wasn’t You may not believe it but I was told by an happy about that. And she was never happy about American missionary, he looked at everybody and my marriage to Jenta. She chose to go that way he picked me and he said, “You’re going to go to until she died. She never talked with him and was a different world which is not your language and never happy with him. Even though we would go you’re going to be working with all these different to their house and visit—she’d never say hi, only people, different denominations and with the high- my dad. ranked people and you’ll work for the Marshallese people,” and it’s coming true! I said, “God let me Jenta is a diabetic. His diabetes went untreated for be part of it” and he is. a long time and that’s why we came to the United States. He doesn’t drink or smoke any longer but I can’t wait! diabetes is still a problem. His life was changed, after eight years.

Bwebwenato an Irene Ernest’s Komman ibben Art Roche Jino ej jen ailon in Majol im jema ej jen ailon in eo ao, einwot juon kaben in tima ko waan kein Kujae. Ailon eo im jimma ej juon iroj ie. Kujae eo an Majol. Iaikuj etal nan Majol im bukot ilju ej ailon, im Kosrean ej armij ro rej jene. Kujae im jeklaj eo ao. Iar bd ilo jukul im ear bojrak ao ejjab mottan ailon in Majol. Rainin ej juon iaan jukul ke ej jonoul lale ao iio.Ewor ruo ao jerbal, mottan ko ilo Federated State of Micronesia, aet ilo imon wia koi j jerbal einwot juon Cashier, ilo mol, na is juon iaan leiroj, ak ejako kio. Emoj an imon mona koi j jerbal einwot juon waitress. Iar armij in Kujae jolok maron eo Iroj ro im Leiroj jerbal iumin emen iio ko mae ien eo iar ioon leo ro, ak ro ewor botoktok Iroj rej kautej wot er. beleo ke ej jonoul ratimjuon an iio.

Ia r ritto lo kilo ailon in Ponepe. Kei j jonoul Kim ar mare elikin ralitok allon ko in amro ioon lalem ao iio detta. I kajjeon komaj ao High dron. Ejelok melim jen jino im jema.Jotinin eo School ak ijab maton kommane. Iar kabbok ao kemto are mare iar kir lok jino im jema nan aero jerbal konke jema wot eo ej rijerbal ilo bamile koba tok ak lollap eo jema ear jab lukkun erra

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 25 kin wewen eo im era jab maron jade tok botap jino ear jab konan bwe in bok jenta bwe en beleo. are maron itok im bed wot namoj in imweo kemro ej mare, mweo imon jinen im jemen leo ibba, ear Lieo jein Jenta im jemen im mama rar kamol ien jab juon mare eo lap im aibojoj. mare eo. kim ar kir tok mam nan loan mweo ak jino ear jab lukkun in monono. Jino ear jab lukkun Iar konak e nuknuk eo im iar konake ien. Na ij konan bwe in kar bok Jenta bwe en beleo mae ien komat im keboj mona ko nan ien mare eo amro. ebed ilo lup.Mama aer jab kijon kennen im ear jab Ien eo ej borainwot ran in kememem eo an ladrik monono ibben Jenta. Jokdron ne kimij etal nan eo neju im ej juon an ioo. Ej juon ran eo elap im imweo imon im lolok, aolep ien ejjab konnan tok juon ien eo kemem ekkar nan manot eo am.Kim ar ak baba wot eo ej konnan tok. jab lomnak in kar komane mare eo amro ak jinom im jeman rar konnan bwe kin en mare motkta jen Jenta ewor an naninmij in tonal, ear jab maron ien kemen ladrrik eo nejimro im ej juon an ioo. taktok kin naninmij in tonal eo an ilo juon tere eo kim ar wonmanlok wot mare juon awa mokta jen aetok enin ekkoman bwe kim en emakit tok nan an jino ien kemem eo. Armij ro woj rar itok nan United States. Ejako an kobatat im kadok ak nanin- kemem eo im jab nan mare eo amro. Armij ro rar mij in tonalej bed wot. Elikin ralitok ioo mour eo jab jela ke kemro ar mare, kemem eo ej komman an ejino oktak. inomojan imwe imon mama im baba, ak mare eo ear komman ilo imweo iman jinen im jemen leo ibba. Kim ar etal nan Hawaii ilo 2008 im ilo 2009 kim ar rol nan Majol iumin jidik in. Kim are emakit nan Ear komman ilo allon in Julae 25, 1987 ilo jotin eo Enid, Oklahoma iumin jilu lok nan emen allon koi ke ej 6 awa jota, aolepen bamile ko amro relukkun m kim ar lomnak in emakit tok nan Dubuque in. in mok kin aer kar kommane mon in kemen ko. Kim ar emakity tok nan am bukok ejmour. Ilo Enid Jenta leo beleo, ear naninmij jotineo kemro ej iten im Hawaii kim ar jab maron takto ie kim ejjjab mare botap kiemro ar wonmalok wot im kommane maron elolo jikin takto ak kim jela ke kim maron mare eo amro.Ewro juon rikaki ear kommane elolo ilo Dubuque. Kim ar ron jen juon iaan to nuk- komare eo amro im borainwot ear kejeraman ien ing Jenta im ear joke ilo Dubuque, juon iaan likao kemem eo. Ear bok tainin 45 minit in mare eo im ro manden , ledrik eo jatin ear jiron kim ke ejelok ear ejelok ring ejelok wut ak kim ar likity beim ro jikin emaron jiban ilo takto ne ejalok am insurance ioon bible eo im kommane kalumur eo. Kermo ej ak Dubuque, Iowa wot. Kim ar takto ilo Cresent dik wot ilo tere eo nan am lukkun jela kin aourok im kim ejjab lkkun jela ta eo bwe kim en maron in mare, kim ar jab lukkun bojak nane ak kim are takto. Jenta ear maron takto im borainwot komman bojak wot nan ien kemem eo. Ej einwot etke jejjab mejen, to ilo jikin kauno eo rej katakin kin wawen mare k kemro lukkun iakwe dron. ad kejbarok kij make im wewen ad bok uno koi m wewen ad kommane mona rekkar na ejmour. Na ej Jenta eritto jiljino yio jen na . Ear 25 an iio im ij juon iar bar ro ewor naninmij in tonal botap ejjab 19 ao ioo. lab in wot Jenta.

Era jab bok juon ien aitok nan kommane mare eo Ear bojark ak takto ilo Cresent, na ijjab lukkun kar kin ke kemij kokairir in jibadeke lok jikin kemem melele ke aolep ien rej jilkin tok mail ko aao iar eo. Ejelok en ejela ke kim ar mare. jab lukkun in lale im jela yto ko rej ba ilo mail ko Koj kajitok etke armij rej mare ilo Majol?. Rej ekoman bwe en bojrak am lok takto ro, iar lomnak mare kin Iakwe ke kin jeraman k oak kin un ko imaron kar kola jidkik kin jikdik ilo aolep aollon jet? Eokwe, kim jela ke ne ruo ribalele rejjab mare ak iar jab lore. ejjab emman ekkar nan kien ko rekwojarjar, ne ruo armij rej iakwe dron rej aikuj in kajimwe mour in Kio kin wot Dubuque Marshall Islands Health balele eo aero im mare. Ej juon iaan kaine koi lo Project, Jenta im na kim maron in rol im takto ilo kabun. Im ej juon iaan bedbed ilo Iakwe. Ej wewen Cresent. eo kim ej jela kaki ijoko jikim, ej mrae im monono ibben dron im lale dron im kejbarok ajri ro nejim. Komaton jab tomak ak ewor juon Mijinere in Ej wewen eo kim ar katak jen ro jinem im jemem, Amedka ear jron tok io ke ear lale ibwijilin ro ne koj lukkun iakwe eo karejeram koj aikuj in kajojo ear kelet eo im ba nan na , koj etal nan juon mare ikimokta jen an wor nejimiro ajri. Kim ejjab jikin eo eoktak im ejjab am kajin eo e im konaj jer- lukkun in kommane ak jet ien.Kim jela ke kim ej bal ibben elon kain armij elon denomination koi m aikuj mare ejjab kin jeraman ko. rutej r oak konaj jerbal nan rimjol, im ej juon men eo emoj an kakirmol! Im ij ba anij kon komman Ewor ruo jei ak jatu ladrik im juon ledrik. Rar jab bwe in mottan er. bed ilo mare eo ak rar bed ilo ien kemem eo. Ilo ien komare eo jinen im jemen jenta im kora eo jein Elap ao kijoror! im ejako mama kinke era jab delon tok imweo bwe

26 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories An Anonymous Marshallese Story As told by Marie Therese Kalb It was ten years ago – I was 9 years old -- when I stood silently watching Mom, one of my older I’ll never forget the day – shortly after we arrived brothers and my little sister -- packing up all of our in America -- when my ive-year-old cousin, Edgar, belongings. No one was talking much. We seemed was run over by a car. He was killed. I prayed extra sad. Finally all the boxes, my brother and little hard for a long time for his Mom and Dad and sister, Mom and me got on to a big boat -- and we family. They miss him so much. My family has headed to America. I can remember being excited strong faith. My Mom taught us that God really about going to “the land of freedom and opportuni- does listen and hears our prayers – and will always ty,” – but I had no idea of what those words meant. answer them -- even if He hasn’t already done so. I had enjoyed life in Kili, a small Marshallese I attend Church Services four times a week at a Island which I have never seen again since that day Marshallese Full Gospel Christian Church. There when we left. In America we came to Dubuque, are three Churches like that in Dubuque. “Mister Iowa -- a town in the Midwest. My Mom’s sister Jeik” is our pastor. I like him. He is kind and lived in Dubuque and we began living with her. understanding, and I like the way he speaks to We came to America to have better opportunities us. The services on Sundays and Wednesdays are and education. “Everyone’s Services”. On Thursday, there is a Woman’s Service, and on Friday a Youth Service. I Life has proven to be “good” for me and my family enjoy going to Church, and have made some good in Dubuque. Mom learned to make new friends friends there. Praying gives me hope. I wouldn’t be and help us all “it into” America and Iowa culture. who I am except for my faith in God. When Edgar Dubuque is a rather small town with a history of was killed we, all prayed a lot. I think it helped us immigrants coming mostly from German and Irish to believe that even though we couldn’t see him, backgrounds. I graduated from Senior High School God was with us, and telling us that Edgar was OK and found a job as a dietary aide in a care center and happy, and was helping us through all the pain. for elderly women. Now I work in the nurse aide department. I love the residents. They are so kind I am grateful for the friends I have made, and for and so grateful for the slightest thing I do for them. life in America. My dream for the future is to stay My “dream” is to become a nurse someday so I can in America; to have a loving family, safe by my be even greater help to people who need it. I hope side; to become a nurse; and to get a car of my to begin studies for becoming a nurse when I am own so that my parents will not need to drive me “motivated” -- that is, when I feel “ready” to really to work. study. I know the classes will be dificult, and I don’t want to waste the scholarships that might be available for me. In the meantime, I am having experience that will be helpful to me later.

Aerial view of Majuro, Marshall Islands. © Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Flickr Creative Commons. Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 27 Bwebwenato in mour ilo Majol Komman ibben Marie Therese Kalb

Jon̄oul iī ko rem̗ootl̗o̗k ke ear 9 ā iī iar jutak ko remaron̄ pel̗l̗o̗k n̄an n̄a. Ilo t̄re in, ij b̄k im kalimjek an jin̄, juon iaan l̗adik ro jeī, im kamminene n̄an naaj ilju im jekl̗aj bwe men in ledik eo jat̄ k̄pooj aolepen men ko m̗weiem. Ejj- enaaj jipan̄ n̄a. el̗o̗k ej ba jabdew̄t, ̄inw̄t aolep im b̄rom̗̄j. Āliktata aolepen bo̗o̗k ko am, l̗adik eo jeī, ledik Iban mel̗o̗kl̗o̗k iien eo ̄likin am kar itok n̄an eo jat̄, jin̄, im n̄a k̄m ear em̗m̗ak̄t im jibadek America, jejjo raan tok̄lik l̗adik eo rilik̄ Edgar America. Ij keememej ke iar lukkuun kijooror ear mej ke juon wa ear dipeje ke ej 5 w̄t an iī. in em̗m̗ak̄t n̄an juon “ael̄n̄ in anemkw̄j im Ear l̗ap im to ā jar k̄n r̄tto ro jinen im jem̄n jeraam̗m̗an,” b̄tab iar jab jel̗̄ mel̗el̗ein naan im baam̗le eo aer. El̗ap aer on̄ kake. Baam̗le e kein. Iar m̗̄n̗̄n̗̄ ke iar mour ilo Kili, juon ā el̗ap an kajoor t̄mak kan̗ aer. Jin̄ ear katakin ael̄n̄ edik ilo M̗ajel̗ me ijjan̄in bar loe j̄n iien k̄m bwe Anij ej lukkuun ron̄jake jar ko im enaaj eo iar em̗m̗ak̄t j̄ne. Ilo America in k̄m ear jok- uwaaki men̄e emaron̄ jab ilo iien eo w̄t. we ilo Dubuque, Iowa juon town ilo Midwest. Juon iaan lim̗aro jein/jatin jin̄ rar jokwe ijin im k̄m Ij jar em̄n alen ilo juon wiik ilo im̗̄n jar eo an ear jokwe ipp̄n. K̄m ear itok n̄an America kein Full Gospel. Ew̄r jilu kabun̄ in ilo Dubuque. n̄an pukot el̗apl̗o̗k jeraam̗m̗an im jel̗̄l̗o̗k- Mister Jeik ej am pastor, em̗m̗an e ippa. Ejouj im jen̗ ko rel̗l̗apl̗o̗k. emel̗el̗e k̄n en̄jake ko an ro jet im em̗m̗an ippa w̄ween an k̄nono n̄an k̄m. Iien jar ko ilo Jab̄t Em̗m̗an men otemjej ilo Dubuque n̄an n̄a im im W̄nje ej n̄an aolep. Ilo Taije ej iien jar an k̄r̄ baam̗le e ā. Ear jino l̄n̄ m̗̄ttan jin̄ im ear im ilo B̄l̗aide ej iien jar an jo̗dikdik. Em̗m̗an jipan̄ k̄m n̄an jel̗̄ mour ilo Iowa. Dubuque ej ippa etal n̄an im̗̄n jar en̗ im el̄n̄ m̗otta ijen̗. juon town edik im ej juon jikin el̄n̄ iaan armej Jar ej letok ā k̄jatdikdik. Iban kar p̄d ijin n̄e ro rej p̄d ie, rar em̗m̗ak̄t tok j̄n ael̄n̄in ear jab t̄mak e ā ilo Anij. Ke Edgar ear jako k̄m Germany im Irish. Iar kadiw̄jl̗o̗k j̄n Senior aolep ear jar. Ij t̄mak bwe men in ear jipan̄ k̄m High School im loe juon ā jerbal ̄inw̄t juon eo n̄an t̄mak bwe men̄e k̄m ejjab maron̄ loe Edgar ej jipan̄ lel̗l̗ap ro ikijjeen ta ko rej aikuj kan̄i ak Anij ear p̄d ippam, im ear ̄inw̄t n̄e ear jiron̄ n̄an kakk̄m̗anm̗anl̗o̗k ̄jmour ko aer. Kiī ij k̄m bwe em̗m̗an an Edgar mour im em̗̄n̗̄n̗̄ jerbal ilo department in n̄̄j ro. El̗ap ā yokwe im ej jipan̄ k̄m ilo iien in ear pen n̄an k̄m. r̄tto ro rej jerbal ipp̄er. Relukkuun jouj im el̗ap aer kam̗m̗oolol k̄n men dikdik ko ij k̄m̗m̗ani El̗ap ā kam̗m̗oolol k̄n ro m̗otta im k̄n mour n̄an er. K̄tt̄par e ā ej bwe in lukkuun juon ilo America in. K̄tt̄par e ā ej bwe in p̄dw̄t ijin, n̄̄j bwe en l̗apl̗o̗k ā jipan̄ ro rej aikuj jipan̄. im bwe baam̗le e ā en em̗m̗an w̄t aer p̄d im Ij k̄jatdikdik ke inaaj jino katak n̄an ā oktak ren p̄dw̄t it̄r̄, bwe in juon n̄̄j, im bwe en w̄r im juon n̄̄j ilo iien eo ijel̗̄ ke ipojak in naaj make juon wā wa bwe jin̄ im jema ren jab aikuj lukkuun katak. Ijel̗̄ bwe kil̗aaj ko inaaj b̄ki b̄ktok n̄a n̄an jikin jerbal aolep iien. renaaj pen im ijjab k̄n̗aan kajejtokj̄n scholarship Credits A special thank you to all the story writers and story tellers who took time to participate in Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories. Story writers: Camilla Hemann Marian Klostermann Mary Ellen Caldwell Marie Therese Kalb Sue Leibold Mary Jean Ferry Donalda Kehoe Mira Mosle C Jean Hayen Anna Kelley Art Roche Cover design by Kristine Jubeck, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Project Coordinators: Suzie Stroud, Facing Project and Clarke University Katrina Farren-Eller, Inclusive Dubuque Network Rachel Dilling, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Brian Cooper, Telegraph Herald

28 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories The Story of One Marshallese Woman As told by Camilla Hemann

I came here in the fall of the year. It was differ- It is always good to see other people from the ent-cold, then winter came and there was more Island. When I was here irst time, there were cold. few from the Islands, but now when I go out, I see people of the Island everywhere. When I see I was here two times. I came from the Islands (and people, I do not talk to them if I don’t know them. in helping her to igure it out), it was in 2009. There are many here that I do not know. Working I went to 11th and 12th grades. I did not inish here (referring to Clare House), helps me make school because it was boring for me, so I went friends with others not from the Island. I feel that I back to the Islands. All my friends were in school am accepted for who I am. at that time and I noticed that I needed to inish school. If I don’t inish school, my siblings would Food is different. There are many foods we do not say, “why should I go to school if she didn’t?” (I have. On the Islands we had two restaurants. They am the oldest in the family.) I wanted to make a had ish, chop steak and ramon noodles. I don’t good example for them and I did inish. like to cook. I eat what others make. When I work, I have chips and pop. My grandmother brought me here about maybe 2 years ago. I stayed at my uncle’s house. My sister Here I can wear pants everywhere and I like that and my 3 brothers also are here and stay with my because it’s comfortable and good for the cold uncle. My sister and one brother came the irst time weather. I cannot wear pants on the Island nor I did, and the other two came in 2013. shorts. The best time here is summer. I can meet more My aunt worked here (meaning Clare House) and people. We play volleyball and baseball at Flora she brought papers for me to ill out for work here. Park. The next week they called me. I started to work here. I am on my own now. I am working and it On the Islands, I was a Protestant. Here, I do not makes me feel good. When I called my parents, I have my church. I go to my uncle’s church. He is told them I go to work now, they could not believe Pastor and many go to his church. On Sundays we it. “You are working?” They were surprised all get together after church. There are about 40-50 because I am lazy and this is my irst job. I never people. Most are family. I am not always there worked before. I am 24 years old. I do not drive, because sometimes I am at work. but my boyfriend and other family drive. They bring me to work and then come back to get me Now I live with another uncle. He has kids in when I am inished. school. In home we speak more English to help the kids in school. Sometimes, I am learning from I need to learn more at work. Each Sister has dif- them. Reading is dificult for me. I am lazy to do ferent routine. At irst, I did not talk. I just watched it step by step. There is some work I need to do on as they show me what to do. I listened, but I did the computer for my work, so last week I inished not talk. Now I talk more. everything. When I did it, it wasn’t all that bad.

It is different to be here. This place is so big. At Christmas time, we practice in groups so that Sometimes it is scary because I have never been in we can perform on Christmas Day at the Church a big place like this. It is hard sometimes-there are for all the rest of the people. This year we had four words that I do not understand. On the Islands, you groups, one came from Cedar Rapids and one from can walk one end to the other. Sometimes I do not Oklahoma. It last from 5 pm to 7 am. It is fun. On know where to go or what to do. I go to the Mall. the Islands, it will take up to three days to have I look and this. sometimes I buy. I go to the movies. I go to the River and walk. It is nice to look. There are people from the Islands in Arkansas, The water here is not as blue as the water around Oklahoma and California. I have been to Califor- the Islands. Being in Dubuque and the United nia. I have an aunt there. She has my child who is States is good and it is hard. Sometimes I feel like four years old and she is taking care of her. My girl going back home, I feel like that when the weather does not call me Mom, it is okay. is really cold.

Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 29 Bwebwenato in mour ilo Majol Komman ibben Camilla Hemann

Iar itok ilo ilo jemlok in lok iio eo. Ear lukkun e ilo Dubuque ejjab kolar blue im einwot dren koi bwe an molo, im ke winter ej itok ej kab lab lok lo Majol. Bed ilo Dubuque im ilo United States an molo. emman ak abwe an bin. Ekoman menin in konan rol nan jo jiku. Ij enjake an lap an mejatoto molo. Ewor ruo katton ao bed ijin, ij itok jen ailon jidik Elap an emman ne kwoj bar lo jet ro jen majol. ( im nan jiban e bukot kejkan) Ilo ioo ne 2009, Ke iar jino ao bed ijin kar jet wot armij jen Majol iar jino ilo 11 im 12 klass. Iar jab kamoj ao jukul ijin, ak kio ne ij diolok im jambo ij elolo rimajol kinke ejelok ao itok limo ie, iar rool nan ailon eo jabedwot jikin ilo Dubuque in. Ne ij elolo rimajol ao. Aolep ro jera im motta rej bed wot ilo jikul nan ij kenono ibber bwe ijaje kajjer. Elap an lon wot tere eo ej kab jiktok ao ke iaikuj koaoj ao jikul. iaer ijjab jela kajjer. Jerbal ilo ( kenono kake Care Ne iban kamoj ao jukul ro jatu renaj ba “ etke rej Hoiuse), ekoman bwe in maron jela kajjen rojet jen etal nan jukul ne ijjab bed ilo jukul?” Na ditto tat Majol. Ij kile ke rej Iakwe io einwot juon rimajol. ilo bamile eo ao. Ij aikju kommane juon wewen eo Mona ko elap aer oktak. Elon wot kain mona koi nan ear amron kejemlok jikul. m ejelok ilo Majol. Ilo Majol ewor ruo jikin Mona ko, Elon ekk , chop steak, im ramin , na ijjab konan Lellep eo jibu era boktok eo nan ijin bolen ruo ioo komat. Ij mona ta ro jet rej mona . Ilo jikin jerbal ij emotlok. Ij bed ilo imweo iman rikorea. Ledrik mona chip im kola. eo jatu im ladrik ro jilu rej borainwot jokwe ibben lollap eo rikorea. Ledrik eo jau im juon iaan ladrik Ijin imaron ekonak jeraujij aoep jikin im emman eo jatu raan itok ilo tere eo ij itok, ladrik ro ruo rar ibba bwe einwot elap an koon im emman nan itok ilo 2013. molo.ilo Majol Ijab maron ekonat jeraujij ak kad ne ko. Ine eo emman tata ibba ej Summer. Imaron Kora eo jnu ej jerbal ilo Dubuque in ( Meaning bar ioon elon armij im ikkure volleyball im base- Care House) im ear boktok juon ao pepa bwe in ball ilo park kan. kanne nan jerbal, week eo tok elik rej call tok eo. Iar jino jerbal ijen. Kio ij jokwe ibba make, ij Ilo ailon ko ao, ij jar ibben jarin relik dron a kilo jerbal im elap ao monono. Ke iar call e lok mama ijin ejelok jani rarikdrk im ij jar ibben ibben rikaki im papa im kwalok ke emoj ao jino jerbal rejjab en rekoreao, ej rikaki nan imon jar en an im elo tomak. Rej kajitok mol ke koj jerbal? Elap aero armij rej jar ibben. Turin lok 40 nan 50 armij. bwilon kinke na elap makoko ibba im ej kab kein Aoleper rej juon wot bamile. Jet ien ijjab bed ilo kajuon ao jerbal, era eejelok ao jerbal mokta . Na jikin kabun kin wot ao jerbal. ij 24 ao iio, ijjab kattor wa, botap leo jera im armij ro jet nuku rej boklok eo nan jerbal im bar itok im Kio ij jokwe ibben leo juon rikokaeo. Elon nejin bok na jen jikin jerbal. rej bed ilo jukul im ij bar katak kajin balle ibber. Read ebwe an bin nan na , elap ao makoko in loe Iaikuj in bar kata kilo jikin jerbal, kajojo sister jidik lok jidik . jet iaan jerbal kein iaikuj kommane eoktak wewen aer jerbal jen dron, kar jinoin iar jab ilo computer nan jikin jeral eo ao. Im ilo week eo maron konono, ij lale wewen aer kommane jerbal lok ke iar kadedelok aolep men, aolep im nana. im ij lore. Ij ronjake ak ijjab maron konono. Ak koi Ilo ien Christmas , kemij le group im ekatak al im j maron konono jidik. biit nan am kommane ran in kemem eo an Christ. Ilo kar ioo eo kio ewor tain 4 drlulu ko rar koba Elp oktak iload bed ijin, jikin kein elap aer kilep tokjen Cedar Rapid, One from Oklahoma. Era ijj- im jet ien ekoman men in mijak kinke ijanin kar no jen 5 jota im jemlok im 7 awa jibbon. Ilo aailon bed ilo jikin rekillep im einwot in. Jet ien eben ko am , ej bok jilu raan in Christmas. nan na kinke jet iaan naan kein ijjab melele kaki. Ilo ailon ko ao komaron konnan ilo juon jikin im Jet iaan armij rein rej jen Arkansas, Oklahoma im jemlok lok bar juon jikin. Jet ien ijjab jela ia eo ij California. Iar bed ilo Calfornia, Iar lolok kora eo eta lie lok barainwot ta eo ij kommane. Ij etal nan juon jino ijen im ajri eo neju ej bed ibben im ej Mall en, Ij alwoj ak jet ien ij bar wia. Ij etal nan emen an ioo kio im ej bok eddoin kio, Ledrik eo jikin alwoj pija ko, ij etal nan tererein river kan im neju ejjab ba mama nan na, ejjab nana ibba. etetalal bajjok. Elap an emman ilo ad lale lok. Dren

30 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories I 31 Production and printing by:

A special thank you to the Multicultural Family Center for their partnership throughout the project.

32 I Facing Diversity: Marshallese Stories