HA’ÅNEN HILA’ NÅNA
International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21st, originated in Bangladesh to commemorate the 1952 killings of students who were protesting for the recognition of Bengali as an official language. UNESCO later proclaimed the day in 1999, emphasizing the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity and promoting multilingual education.
The United Nations has declared 2022-2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. This initiative aims to draw global attention to the critical state of many Indigenous languages and to encourage action for their preservation, revitalization, and promotion. The Decade follows the International Year of Indigenous Languages in 2019 and is led by UNESCO.
In 2019, Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero proclaimed February 21st as Mother Language Day; and further, proclaimed the YEAR 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages to celebrate, recognize and honor the CHamoru language as the indigenous language of the First People of Guam. In 2022, Guam proclaimed the observance and support of the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages through Executive Proclamation. The 36th Guam Legislature declared the same by Resolution. As of June 18, 2025, Bill No. 129-38 (COR) “An Act to Amend a New § 1041 to Chapter 10, Title 1, Guam Code Annotated, Relative to establishing February 21st of each year as Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna (Mother Language Day) was passed into law by Governor Louders Leon Guerrero.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Acting Govenor Joshua F. Tenorio and Acting Lieutenant Governor Frank F. Blas Jr. with Kumisión Board Members and staff, and readers from Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy and Faneyåkan Sinipok.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Acting Govenor Joshua F. Tenorio and Acting Lieutenant Governor Frank F. Blas Jr.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Puti’on Pangelinan of Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy reads “Adahi i Tano'” by Dakota Camacho, Lucia Calvo, and Piatra Tuncap from the book “Tiniroron Neni” with Acting Govenor, Joshua F. Tenorio and Acting Lieutenant Governor Frank F. Blas Jr.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Baila (Ellen) Camacho of Faneyåkan Sinipok reads “Tinanumi” by the Kumisión i Fino’ CHamoru with Acting Govenor, Joshua F. Tenorio and Acting Lieutenant Governor Frank F. Blas Jr.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Baila (Ellen) Camacho of Faneyåkan Sinipok with Acting Govenor, Joshua F. Tenorio and Acting Lieutenant Governor Frank F. Blas Jr.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Gé’helo’, Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Board Members Teresita C. Flores, Rosa S. Palomo, and Hope A. Cristobal.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Board Members Teresita C. Flores and Rosa S. Palomo.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Jimmy S. Teria, CHamoru Studies and Special Programs Division Administrator and Kumisión Board Member
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Executive Director of Commission on Decolonization and President of Department of CHamoru Affairs, Melvin Won Pat-Borja with COO and Principal of Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy, Ann Marie Arceo.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Dr. Kisha Borja-Quichocho-Calvo of University of Guam
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Jason Salas of KUAM, Dina San Nicolas Member of Board of Trustees for the Deparment of CHamoru Affairs, and Dr. Michael Bevacqua
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Parents and students of Faneyåkan Sinipok in support of Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation 2025.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Teachers, students, and parts of Faneyåkan Sinipok and Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy in support of Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation 2025.
02.21.2025_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Acting Govenor Joshua F. Tenorio and Acting Lieutenant Governor Frank F. Blas Jr. with Kumisión i Fino’ CHamoru, Department of CHamoru Affairs, Faneyåkan Sinipok, and Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión staff, Dakota Camacho and Peter Constantino leading the bendesión.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Staff Elerida Cruz
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Executive Director of Commission on Decolonization, President of Department of CHamoru Affairs and Kumisión Board, Melvin Won Pat-Borja
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Commission on Decolonization Staff: Byron Aguon and Harmony Palaganas
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder, Maga’håga Lourdes Leon Guerrero, Senator Roy Quinata, Ann Marie Arceo, and Dr. Samuel Betances.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder with Maga’håga Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Senator Roy Quinata.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Executive Director and Gé’helo’, Maria Duenas-Concepcion and Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder with Maga’håga Lourdes Leon Guerrero and Senator Roy Quinata.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Maga’håga Lou Leon Guerrero, Senator Roy Quinata, Ann Marie Arceo, Dr. Samuel Betances, and Kumisión staff Dakota Camacho.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Senator Roy Quinata with COO and Principal of Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy, Ann Marie Arceo.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión staff Dakota Camacho, Peter Constantino, Elerida Cruz with Kumisión Board Member Rufina F. Mendiola and CHamoru advocate Ann Rivera.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Board Members Dr. Robert Underwood, Jimmy S. Teria, Melvin Won Pat-Borja, Executive Director Maria Duenas-Concepcion and Gé’helo’ Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Maga’håga Lou Leon Guerrero signing 2024 Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation with Dr. Laura. M. Torres Souder and Senator Roy Quinata.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Maga’håga Lou Leon Guerrero and Senator Roy Quinata with representatives of Kumisión i Fino’ CHamoru, Department of CHamoru Affairs, Commission on Decolonization, Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy and Faneyåken Sinipok.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Maga’håga Lourdes Leon Guerrero with Kumisión Gé’helo’ Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder, Executive Director Maria Duenas-Concepcion and staff Elerida Cruz.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Ann Marie Arceo, Elerida Cruz, Cathy Flores, and Peter Constantino.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Board Rufina F. Mendiola and Dr. Robert A. Underwood.
02.16.2024_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Board Jimmy S. Teria and Melvin Won Pat-Borja.
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Månnge’ (Amariya) Muna of Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy leading the bendesión.
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Månnge’ (Amariya) Muna of Maga’låhen Hurao CHamoru Academy with Kumisión Administrator Ann Marie Arceo leading bendesión.
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Maga’håga Lourdes Leon Guerrero
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Maga’låhi Joshua F. Tenorio
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Gé’helo’ Hope A. Cristobal
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Maga’håga Lourdes Leon Guerrero signing 2021 Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation with Maga’låhi Joshua F. Tenorio
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Kumisión Administrator Ann Marie Arceo and Kumisión Gé’helo’ Hope A. Cristobal with Maga’håga Lou Leon Guerrero and Kuíkuentos Therese Terlaje participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Judith Won Pat, Administrator of Guåhan Academy, Kumisión Bisa Gé’helo’ Dr. Laura M. Torres Souder, Maga’låhi Joshua F. Tenorio and Senator Sabina Perez participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony
02.22.2021_Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation
Community gather for Ha’ånen Hila’ Nåna Proclamation.