Name and Purpose

The Seyon Inafitma or Seal of Affirmation is designed to promote excellence in the orthographically aligned use of the CHamoru language in multimedia products and platforms, literary, song and dance performances, written manuscripts of all forms; and, to further promote historically accurate and culturally authentic representations of the language, history and culture of Guåhan’s indigenous Taotao Tåno’ in these products, performances and platforms.

The affixation of the Seal represents that the content of a product, performance or other multimedia platform has been reviewed and deemed worthy of distinction by the Commission of CHamoru Language and the Teaching of the History and Culture of the Indigenous People of Guam (Kumisión).

The Seal of Affirmation from the Kumisión signals the recognition of professional excellence, quality and respect for the pa’a and måta of the Taotao Tåno’ and for interpretations of history that integrate our indigenous experience and perspectives.

Eligibility

All entities, for-profit and non-profit, public or private, and all members of the public or groups of individuals are eligible to apply for the Kumisión’s Seal of Affirmation. Individual members of the Kumisión, the Kumisión staff and partners, whose work is separate from a sponsored work of the Kumisión, are also eligible.

Criteria

The following criteria will guide the awarding of the Seal of Affirmation:

• Material written or conveyed through another medium must adhere to the Rules of the Utugrafihan CHamoru Guåhan (the Guam CHamoru Orthography).
• Representations of the CHamoru people and their experience must be culturally authentic and historically accurate.
• Products, performances, platforms and materials submitted for consideration must be in their final form. If the Kumisión feels that the product is worthy of recognition but needs adjustment, the Kumisión will recommend what needs to be addressed and will work with the applicant to meet the criteria set forth herein.
• Any substantial additions or amendments to a product receiving the Seal must be submitted for review as different products in order to continue to bear the Seal.
• All products, performances, platforms and material submitted must manifest culturally appropriate symbolism and representations.

An application form will be made available through the Kumisión’s website.

• All applicants seeking the Seal of Affirmation for their products must complete the application and submit such products for review.
• The review of products will be conducted within a six week period from the official date of acceptance of submission.
• Once the review has been conducted, applicants will be informed in writing relative to the status of their applications.
• Should the applicant qualify for and receive the Seal of Affirmation, the applicant will receive the Seal.
• All Seals awarded will be announced publicly and published on the Kumisión’s website.
  Tangible and/or digital copies or recordings of all products bearing the Seal of Affirmation must be deposited in the Kumisión’s Archives.
• The misappropriation of sacred CHamoru symbols in tandem with the product or its promotion will constitute a forfeiture of the Seal.
• No fees will be charged for the application and awarding of the Seal of Affirmation.