Date of Graduation

Spring 5-16-2025

Document Type

Restricted Thesis - USF access only

Degree Name

Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS)

College/School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

International Studies

First Advisor

Professor Adrienne Johnson

Second Advisor

Professor Bill Hing

Abstract

The interconnectedness of military installations in isolated Pacific islands such as Guam, American Samoa, and the CNMI creates an intricate field of challenges for indigenous populations in these islands. Although some argue that the relationship with the U.S. is beneficial by increases in economy and protection, there are the issues of cultural desecration, environmental degradation, and a lack of independence. The question of sovereignty then comes into play with indigenous activists and scholars looking for a way out of this bind. By examining the histories of Guam and broader patterns of Trans-Pacific militarism and militourism, this research highlights how colonial legacies continue to shape governance, land use, education systems, and indigenous identity formation. Comparative cases, including U.S. territories in the Caribbean and Hawai’i, further illuminate the mechanisms of Americanization and decolonization efforts across different island contexts. Employing a feminist Indigenous methodological framework, this study draws on historical analysis, literature review, and qualitative data collection to center indigenous voices and critically reflect on the silences within research on militarized territories. The findings demonstrate that CHamoru (referring to both language and people) indigeneity, while resilient, is deeply impacted by Americanized educational structures, expanding militourism, and gendered dynamics within military infrastructures. This thesis concludes that understanding and addressing these layered impacts is crucial to advancing sovereignty movements and restoring indigenous self-determination in Guam and other militarized Pacific territories.

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