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