We saw as many covid-cases in August and September as we did last December and January. The coronavirus that we knew last year, that we thought we had learned how to live around, leveled up. The delta variant quickly took over and became the dominant strain in July. More people, including children and young adults, […]
Churches, Concerts and Apartments Host Pop-up Clinics Read More »
People in the Marshallese community in NWA gathered on the basketball courts outside the Jones Center last Saturday, September 26, 2021. Everyone celebrated the end of Ṃanit Week together. With a generous sponsorship from T-Mobile, Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese (ACOM) hosted this community-wide event in recognition of M̧anit Day, the last Friday in September, a
Proud to be Marshallese – Celebrating Ṃanit Day Read More »
The Marshallese Educational Initiative (MEI) celebrated the start of M̧anit week by sharing the Marshallese culture with the people of Fayetteville, AR. MEI and the Fayetteville Public Library partnered to bring us this two-part cultural event last Saturday, September 19 2021. Programming included a cultural performance in the Event Center followed by a children’s craft
M̧anit Day: More than a Day about Culture Read More »
A week after Stroll the Atoll, a smaller group of people gathered in Shiloh Square. This time they were adorned not with flowers and shells but rather with gloves and garbage bags in hand. They were armed big smiles and trash picking sticks. They were on a mission to help rid the Razorback Greenway of
Eṃōj Karreoik Ipelaakid – Cleaning Up Read More »
Many other pressing issues were raised in the JuneTown Hall meeting, including the impact on mental health, increasing drug use, and the difficult process of applying for Medicaid. We were glad to hear from representatives of many Marshallese-led organizations, including the newly organized AenEmmaan, ACOM, and MEI. AenEmman, a new organization focused on men’s wellness
Town Hall Minutes – Part 2 Read More »
Consul General Eldon Alik convened a town hall meeting last June to share updates on projects in the community. He also introduced the new Vice Consul Gerrick Kelen and newly organized non-profit AenEmmaan. The group’s secretary Greg Kabua reported on the mission and purpose of the organization to focus on men’s health, wellness and family
Town Hall Minutes – Part 1 Read More »
MEI (Marshallese Educational Initiative) recently hosted a series of events, Our Shared Nuclear Legacy, June 29-July 1 including a youth day, commemoration and equity panels. With a critical discussion of nuclear testing, climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and health inequities, the event brought together other communities of color and nuclear affected communities in discussion over
Our Voice Matters and Nuclear Testing Read More »
The Greek alphabet, the precursor to all modern European alphabets, has been around for about 3000 years. Adapting the Phoenician alphabet, which consisted of only consonants, the Greeks added a few more symbols, such as “Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” which might sound familiar from the Bible.
Alpha and Delta Variants – Vaccines Part 2 Read More »
In a recent conversation with Consul General Eldon Alik about covid and this past year, he recounted a clever turn of phrase in one of many meetings. He was encouraging everyone to get vaccinated and he said “Wā kuk Wā jim̧or.” He substituted wā (vaccine or shot) for wa (canoe) in the traditional proverb. As
Wā Kuk Wā Jim̧or – Vaccines Part 1 Read More »
Springdale, Arkansas – On May 28th Representative Steve Womack (R-Arkansas), Representative Ed Case (D-Hawaii), along with Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation to restore eligibility for many federal benefit programs to citizens from the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) nations. The Compact Impact Fairness Act (CIFA) will help many Micronesians, citizens from
