MARSHALLESE IN ARKANSAS
Between 15,000-20,000 Marshallese reside in Arkansas and Springdale boasts the largest population. The Marshall Islands, two chains of 29 coral atolls and 5 islands, are located in the north, central Pacific.
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In 1986 the United States and Marshall Islands' governments signed the Compact of Free Association, which encourages Marshallese to travel between the two nations. Since then, thousands of Marshallese have left their island homelands for a variety of reasons: employment and educational opportunities, access to healthcare, the lingering effects of radiation due to nuclear testing, the evident consequences of sea level rise, and simply to join our families in the United States. Given the extant pressures in the Marshall Islands, the population in Arkansas and communities across the United States is expected to increase steadily over the next decades.
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Following World War II, the United States held onto the Marshall Islands after defeating the Japanese and ending their occupation. Beginning in 1946 the U.S. military commenced 12 years of nuclear testing, which irradiated the atolls and resulted in forced relocations and biological, ecological, and cultural consequences that the Marshallese community continues to endure today.
Initially relocating to Hawaii and the West Coast, Marshallese now reside in the midwestern United States due to a more favorable cost of living. In addition to Springdale and Northwest Arkansas, Marshallese also live in communities in Pine Bluff, Huntsville, Berryville, and Pocahontas. Outside of the state, there are growing communities in Enid, OK, Salem, OR, Spokane, WA, Dubuque, IA, and elsewhere. Marshallese now reside in all 50 US states.
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Our Marshallese community is close-knit and continues to engage in cultural practices brought with us from our home atolls, like celebrating kemeem (first birthdays) on Saturdays. Marshallese elders, who have been weaving coconut fronds and pandanus leaves since they were children, have also brought those skills to Arkansas, though few Marshallese youth know these skills, which are often now considered arts. Acquiring materials from the Islands is a major impediment.
Our community is a religious one with the majority attending Christian (Protestant) churches. We celebrate Constitution Day during Memorial Day weekend, when thousands of Marshallese from across the US and RMI journey to Springdale to visit families and participate in sports tournaments. Different atolls groups celebrate World War II liberation days in their atoll’s history, including Namdrik Day and Jaluit Day, and religious observances, like Gospel Day. The RMI government also recognizes Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day to commemorate the March 1, 1954, Castle Bravo nuclear detonation that rained down fallout on Marshallese communities.
Like in the Islands, our Marshallese families are large and extended families frequently share the same living space. We pride ourselves on helping others in need and are dedicated to retaining our unique culture and traditions. Shine is one a few elders who ensure that those traditions are passed down to Marshallese youth.