An Exploration of Indigenous Values and Historic Preservation in Western Micronesia: A Study in Cultural Persistence Kelly G. Marsh April 2013 Charles Sturt University Faculty of Science School of Environmental Sciences Supervisors: A/Prof Dirk H.R. Spennemann, CSU Dr A.P. Hattori, UOG CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF SCIENCE SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Doctor of Philosophy An Exploration of Indigenous Values and Historic Preservation in Western Micronesia: A Study in Cultural Persistence Kelly G. Marsh April 2013 Table of Contents List of Figures v List of Tables vi Certificate of Authorship viii Acknowledgements ix Ethics Approval xi Professional Editorial Assistance xii Abstract xiii Preface xv Disclaimer xvii Dedication xviii Acronyms xix Chapter One 1 Introduction to the Study 1 Thesis Aims 10 Contribution 10 Terminology 11 Selection of Study Areas 11 Thesis Approach 13 Methods Used 15 Researcher Connections to Study Areas 17 Writing Style 18 Thesis Structure 19 Section One 22 Background Contexts 22 Chapter Two 23 Socio-cultural and Political Landscapes 23 Locating the Island Entities 23 Indigeneity and Cultural Identity 24 Foreign Administrations and Colonial Relations 32 Islander Connection to their Heritage 39 Change and Change Agents 39 Advocacy for Cultural Perseverance 45 Chapter Three 48 i Contextualizing Micronesian Historic Preservation 48 Overview of Historic Preservation in the Mariana Islands and Palau 48 The Introduction of Modern Historic Preservation in the Islands 48 The Historic Preservation Statutes of Guam, the NMI, and Palau 55 Historic Preservation Office Structure 62 Traditional Island Ways of Thinking about and Approaching Conservation 65 Indigenous Epistemological, Cosmological, and Other Considerations 65 Epistemology and Cosmology 66 Epistemology and Cosmology Considerations Related to Micronesian Historic Preservation 66 Section Two 75 Investigation Results 75 Chapter Four 76 The Historic Preservation Office Registers 76 Methodological Approaches 77 Historic Preservation Office Files for Inventories and Registers 77 Other Historic Preservation Office Outputs 81 Inventories and Registers 81 Profiles 81 Productivity 88 Nominations by Subdivisions 90 Nomination by Time Period 95 Nominations by Type 104 Chapter Summary 109 Chapter Five 111 Indigenous Values in Historic Preservation Offices: The Cultural Context 111 Methodological Approaches 111 Historic Preservation Office Personnel 114 Cultural Perseverance within Modern Offices 119 Reciprocity, Interdependence, and a Sense of Obligation 119 Indigenous Staff 122 Kin Relations 125 Sharing Food 130 Demonstrating Respect 131 Usage of Indigenous Languages 132 ii Challenges to Cultural Perseverance 134 Overall Assessment 140 Chapter Summary 141 Chapter Six 143 Visioning and Re-visioning the Historic Preservation Offices 143 Methodological Approaches 143 Community Perceptions of Island Historic Preservation 146 Strengths 147 Challenges 149 US Historic Preservation Funding and National Park Service Oversight 158 Overall Perceptions 165 Visions and Recommendations for the Historic Preservation Offices 174 Chapter Summary 187 Section Three 189 Integrated Discussion and Conclusion 189 Chapter Seven 190 Weaving the Fabric of Micronesian Historic Preservation: An Integrated Discussion 190 Themes in Data 191 The Recognition of Indigenous Rights 191 Building upon Current Relationships with the National Park Service 196 The Presence of Indigenous Epistemological and Cosmological Considerations Related to Cultural Heritage Management 197 Historic Preservation Office Staff Perceptions Regarding Cultural Resources 198 Work Practices in Island Historic Preservation Offices 199 Visions and Other Community Perceptions 201 The Degree of Presence of Indigenous Heritage in Island Historic Preservation Office Registers 202 Stereotypes 202 Disproportionate Representation 203 Gaps 206 Strengthening Historic Preservation Efforts that Support Islander Values and Heritage 210 Understanding Each Other‘s Successes 210 Overcoming Challenges, Envisioning Sustainable Presence of Indigenous Values 211 The Potential of a Resources Study 212 National Park Service Pathways 216 Developing Regional Professionals and Para-professionals 217 iii Answering the Call for Training 218 Augmenting Capacity and Funding 221 Chapter Eight 224 Summary and Conclusions: Navigating the Currents and Shoals of the Future 224 Appendices 234 Appendix A: Terminology 235 Micronesia/Western Micronesia 235 Indigenous 236 Indigenous Values 238 Tradition/Traditional 239 Cultural Resources 240 Historic Preservation and Heritage Conservation 241 Associated Indigenous Names and Indigenous Terms 242 Appendix B: TTPI Historic Preservation Office Organization Chart 244 Appendix C: Site Labeling Systems 245 Appendix D: Other Historic Preservation Office Outputs 247 Re-internments 247 Public Education Materials 251 Appendix E: Project Information Statement 262 Appendix F: Institutional Consent Form 263 Appendix G: Interviewee Consent Form 264 Appendix H: Transcription Guide 265 Appendix I: Cover Letter for Transcript Review 266 Appendix J: Typical Guiding Interview Questions 267 Appendix K: Possible Registration Form incorporating Indigenous Values for Cultural Resources 269 Endnotes 270 References 299 Interviewees 299 Personal Communications 300 Written Resources 302 iv List of Figures Figure 1. Map of the Pacific Islands in Oceania. ............................................................................. 25 Figure 2. Fouha Bay, Guam (locally and nationally registered site: 66-02-0128), the ―cradle of creation‖ in Guam Chamorro oral tradition. (Taitingfong & Marsh, ―Fouha Bay;‖ photo taken by Kelly G. Marsh, 2007.) .......................................................... 28 Figure 3. Foreign administrations, colonial relations, and political statuses of the three study areas. ................................................................................................................................ 33 Figure 4. Traditional management practices exert an interest that transcends time and has made its way into numerous publications over the years as evidenced by the above page from Willard Price‘s 1966 book. .................................................................. 50 Figure 5. The building within which the Guam DPR, including the Guam HPO, is located. (Photo taken by Kelly G. Marsh, 2012.) ................................................................... 58 Figure 6. Gogkña [Gun] Beach after unauthorized bulldozing of the ancient Chamorro site. (Photo taken by Kelly G. Marsh, 2007.) ......................................................................... 58 Figure 7. The NMI HPO is housed within an historic Japanese administration building. (Photo taken by Kelly G. Marsh, 2007.) ................................................................ 59 Figure 8. John Songsong Castro, Jr., NMI HPO technician provides a presentation to elementary school children. (Photo taken by Kelly G. Marsh, 2007.) ................................ 59 Figure 9. Palau HPO is situated within the historic former TTPI-era Civic Center building. Painted on the gable is a depiction of the popular story of Ngibtal. (Photo taken by Kelly G. Marsh, 2008.) ................................................................................. 60 Figure 10. Guam registered resources by type (as of March 2007). ........................................... 106 Figure 11. The NMI registered resources by type (as of May 2007)........................................... 106 Figure 12. Palau registered resources by type (as of April 2008). .............................................. 107 Figure 13. Observing NMI HPO staff conduct an in-house archaeological survey. This photo demonstrates the degree of generous island hospitality encountered as a coconut was opened and offered to this researcher while out in the field. (Photo taken by NMI HPO staff, 2007.) ............................................................................................ 114 Figure 14. Re-internment site at Hotel Nikko Guam, Tumon. (Photo taken by Kelly G. Marsh, 2007.)............................................................................................................................ 250 Figure 15. Re-internment marker at Hyatt Regency Guam, Tumon. (Photo taken by Kelly G. Marsh, 2007.) ............................................................................................................ 250 v List of Tables Table 1. Terminology Used for the Purposes of this Study .......................................................... 12 Table 2. Fieldwork Activity Timeline ............................................................................................... 16 Table 3. Guam, the NMI, and Palau Profiles ................................................................................... 26 Table 4. Early Cultural Sequences According to Island HPOs. .................................................... 29 Table 5. Select Guam, NMI, and Palau Economic and Development Indicators. ...................... 39 Table 6. HPO History of Micronesian Entities. ............................................................................... 51 Table 7. Select Features Recognized in the Guam, NMI, and Palau HPO Governing Statutes ....................................................................................................................................... 61 Table 8. Guam, NMI, and Palau HPO Staff by Funding Source .................................................