29th Annual PIBBA Conference Memorable!

PIBBA Officers and Members get ready for the PIBBA International Meeting on June 25, 2010. L-R: Rosa Salas Palomo, PIBBA International President; Kanchi Hosia, Assistant Secretary for RMI Elementary Education; Cheta Anien, PIBBA President-Elect, and Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA Webmaster.





PIBBA participants from Guam, CNMI, and Pohnpei are ready to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 29th Annual International PIBBA Conference at the RMI International Conference Center on June 22, 2010. Pictured front row L-R: Shelten G. Neth, PIBBA Immediate Past-President; Frances Sablan, PIBBA Secretary; Julia Shore, GDOE Chamoro Teacher; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA Webmaster and GDOE ESL Coordinator/Teacher; and Jacqueline Hazen, IREI. Back row: Nelsin Iriarte, PDOE Language Arts Specialist; Koshy Reuney, GDOE ESL Coordinator; Dr. Arlene S. Diaz, GDOE, SPC-ESL; and Marie Salas, GDOE ESL Coordinator.


The Palau Delegation actively participates in the 29th Annual International PIBBA Conference. Pictured front row left to right: Dario Harris, Julita Debngek, Elin Rebluud, Senator Kathy Kesolei, Vivian Schmull, and Jerome Megreos. Second Row L-R: Tem N. Meriang, Kerungil Tellei, and Johnson Joshua. Third Row L-R: Selina Ramon, and Lucia Tabelual.



PIBBA recipients for the Teacher of the Year and Pioneer of the Year were awarded on June 24, 2010. Pictured L-R: Frances Sablan, PIBBA International Secretary; Rosa Salas Palomo, PIBBA International President; Antonia Salas, Guam Teacher of the Year; Cheta Anien, PIBBA International President-Elect; Marlyn Ernist, Chuuk Teacher of the Year; Zander Refilong, Guam Pioneer of the Year; Saped Santos, Pohnpei Pioneer of the Year; Alfred Capelle, Republic of the Marshall Islands Pioneer of the Year; and Shelten Neth, PIBBA International Immediate Past President. Not pictured are Ema Melander, Kosrae Teacher of the Year and Standon Andrew, Kosrae Pioneer of the Year.




PIBBA participants show off the coconut-weaving artifacts they made, as part of the presentation titled, Using Coconut Weaving in Guam Classrooms to Improve the Language Arts and Mathematics Skills of Local Students presented by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Kos Reuney, ESL Coordinators from the Guam Department of Education.






PIBBA presenters prepare themselves for their scheduled presentations. Pictured L-R: Dr. Greg Tainatongo, Retired GDOE Administrator & Teacher; Kos Reuney, GDOE ESL Coordinator; Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber, PREL Chief Excecutive Officer; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA Webmaster & GDOE ESL Coordinator/Teacher; and Julia Shore, GDOE Chamorro Teacher.


The Majuro Atoll Local Government Choir perform during the PIBBA Conference Opening Ceremony held June 22, 2010 at the RMI International Convention Center.


Marshall Islands Choir and Special Education Students perform during the PIBBA Conference Opening Ceremony held June 22, 2010 at the RMI International Convention Center.


Pohnpei presenters pose during their Values Behind Proverbs workshop. Pictured L-R: Maria Donre, Social Studies Specialist; Nelsin Iriarte, Language Arts Specialist; and Rickson Higgins, Library, Museum, and Archives Curator.




Jaqueline Hazen from the Island Research and Education Initiative (IREI) introduced several sets of bilingual books developed in collaboration with local educators and linguists in the four states of FSM. Pictured L-R: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, PIBBA Webmaster & GDOE ESL Coordinator/Teacher; Nelsin Iriarte, PDOE Language Arts Specialist; Hazen; and Kos Reuney, GDOE ESL Coordinator.


Iolani Meleijon from Leipajid Handicraft Shop was one of many vendors who sold various indigenous arts and crafts from the Republic of the Marshall Islands.



The 29th Annual International Pacific Islands Bilingual Bicultural Association (PIBBA) Conference was filled with cultural excitement that has left a lasting impression for all participants from across the Pacific region! The conference theme, “Reviving the Languages and Cultures of the Pacific – Kubwij Buni Eo” was highlighted in each of the conference days from June 22-25, 2010 in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Each day featured the gathering of participants presenting cultural presentations, songs, and entertainment. Of course, the conference also highlighted PIBBA’s song, which includes all the languages of the region, such as the following chorus: “Iokwe, Raan Annim, Kaselehlia, Alii, Aloha, Olomwaay, Hafa Dei, Tuwoh, Mogethin, Talofa.”

Among the entities that attended the conference are Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Chuuk, CNMI, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Yap, and Guam. The mission of PIBBA is to bring these entities together to promote cultural and language activities by disseminating information, involving communities, and encouraging quality education programs through the western Pacific.

The first night of the PIBBA Conference featured a cultural opening ceremony that was held at the RMI International Conference Center and special dinner hosted by President Jurelang Zedkeia and First Lady Hannah Jurelang Zedkaia. The familiar “Yokwe” could be heard throughout the walls of the center. The evening included a special cultural dance and appearance by the Paramount Chief, welcoming remarks by Honorable Titus Langrine, special message from His Excellency Irooj Jurelang Zedkeia delivered by Acting President Amenta Matthew, special address by Dr. Sharon Nelson-Barber, remarks by PIBBA President Rosa Salas Palomo, a closing prayer by Rev. Enja Enos, introductions by Immediate Past-President Shelten Neth and emcee Molly Helkena, chanting by Willie Mwekto, and performances by the Marshall Islands High School Choir/Special Education students and Majuro Atoll Local Government Choir.

The second through fourth days of the PIBBA Conference were held at the Marshall Islands High School, which began with breakfast, entertainment, announcements, guest speakers, and acknowledgements. The second day featured guest speaker and RMI 2010 Pioneer of the Year, Alfred Capelle, followed by various cultural and educational/language workshops.

The third day featured guest speaker Dr. Hilda Heine, followed by various cultural and educational/language workshops, and a special awards ceremony for the Indigenous Teacher of the Year and Pioneer of the Year for each of the entities.

The final day of the conference featured guest speaker US Ambassador Martha Campbell, followed by additional cultural and educational/language workshops. The PIBBA International Business Meeting was later conducted, and the new PIBBA officers were elected. The new position of webmaster was also introduced during the business meeting. The newly elected PIBBA Officers include the following:

President: Cheta Anien
President-Elect: Senator Kathy Kesolei
Secretary: Frances Sablan
Treasurer: Shelten G. Neth
International Historian: Dr. Marilyn Salas
Webmaster: Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera
Immediate Past-President: Rosa Salas Palomo

The day ended with a silent auction of cultural arts & crafts and a closing ceremony and dinner hosted at the RMI International Convention Center. It featured meaningful traditional performances and presentation of gifts from all the Pacific entities.

We extend a big “Kommool Tata” to all PIBBA Conference steering committee members, and all the entities that joined us to make the 29th Annual International PIBBA Conference a memorable event that will always be remembered for years to come! Thank you! Kommool! Si Yu’os Ma’ase’! Kalahngan! Kinissow! Mesulang! Kammagar!