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5 Guam Code Ann. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
CH. 88. THE COMMISSION ON CHAMORU LANGUAGE AND THE TEACHING OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE
OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF GUAM

The duties and purpose of the Commission are to:

(a) continually study and update the orthographic rules of the CHamoru language; and to provide notification to public and private institutions of updates to the CHamoru orthography;

(b) consult with government leaders and others in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands who are interested in the standardization of the CHamoru language orthography and seek to recognize and establish agreement relevant to the orthography, as well as existing regional differences;

(c) advise public and private institutions, broadcast and written media, to include magazines and individuals, on issues related to the alignment of both spoken and written media, publications, signage and manuscripts with the grammatical and orthographic rules established by the Commission;

(d) provide requisite updates to the CHamoru-English
Dictionary;

(e) establish a CHamoru translation service for public and private entities and individuals, broadcast and written media, with an appropriate fee structure for such services;

(f) develop standardized, culturally relevant curricula for mandated courses in Guam’s schools and institutions of higher learning related to Guam’s history, language, and culture;

(g) conduct research, publish, and produce multi- media and print materials relating to the CHamoru language, history and culture;

(h) coordinate with the Department of Education, charter schools and other educational institutions, including private schools and businesses, on Guam to ensure the appropriate use of the adopted standardized CHamoru orthography and grammar;

(i) provide training to promote increased understanding of the CHamoru heritage;

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5 Guam Code Ann. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
CH. 88. THE COMMISSION ON CHAMORU LANGUAGE AND THE TEACHING OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE
OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF GUAM

(j) function as a clearinghouse to provide advice for accurate representations and interpretations of CHamoru language, history and culture;

(k) work with I Sagan Plånu Siha yan Emfotmasion (the Bureau of Statistics and Plans) to plan and conduct a survey, which may seek to determine the existing number of CHamoru speakers, and/or the existing number of children learning CHamoru and the occurrence of intergenerational transmission, which may be used to direct CHamoru revitalization programs efforts;

(l) serve as the Kumision I Nå’an Lugåt (Guam Place Name Commission) to develop, implement, and advise interested parties on a coherent, culturally sound and historically accurate set of criteria for selecting place names, and coordinate with the Guam Land Use Commission, the CHamoru Land Trust Commission, the Department of Education, the University of Guam, the Guam Community College, the village Mayors, Dipåttamenton I Kaohao Guinahan CHamoru, and with other civil and religious organizations interested in providing appropriate place names for Guam and consistency in signage. The Guam Land Use Commission, the CHamoru Land Trust Commission, the Department of Education, the University of Guam, the Guam Community College, the village Mayors, and Dipåttamenton I Kaohao Guinahan CHamoru shall seek advice from Kumision I Nå’an Lugåt (Guam Place Name Commission) and shall keep records thereof;

(m) study ancient CHamoru terminology and pronunciation of place names, and restore aforementioned pronunciation with the current CHamoru orthography; and

(n) perform general reviews and evaluations as imposed by the government of Guam.

(o) is hereby authorized to apply for and receive grants, charge fees for translation services, and publication of products.

(p) is hereby authorized to establish a public not for profit corporation that shall be separate and apart from the government of Guam and the Commission for the purpose of being able to accept private gifts, donations, endowments,

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5 Guam Code Ann. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
CH. 88. THE COMMISSION ON CHAMORU LANGUAGE AND THE TEACHING OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE
OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF GUAM

grants, and other monies which may be offered to the Commission. Such gifts, donations, endowments, or grants, supra, shall be in accordance with the laws of Guam and subject to reasonable conditions. Such funds received shall be deposited into a fund controlled by the corporation, supra, and shall be known as the Kumision I Fino CHamoru Foundation.

SOURCE: Subsection (o) added by P.L. 35-099:XII:40 (Sep. 15,
2020). Subsection (p) added by P.L. 35-099:XII:32 (Sep. 15, 2020).