Constitution Day commemorates the adoption of the RMI’s constitution 45 years ago, on May 1, 1979. Though still under U.S. administrative control as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the constitution provided the legal and political framework that enabled the Marshall Islands to transition to full sovereignty in 1986. We not only celebrate our self-governance as a people and our special relationship with the United States, but also strengthen our cultural connection and sense of community as Marshallese in the United States. From Arkansas to Oregon to Iowa, we are all celebrating May Day with traditional dances, food and sporting competitions.
This year the celebrations focus on the Marshallese proverb: Ukūnim Jād. This proverb reminds us to do our due diligence in all things much like the captain of a canoe who keeps watch to ensure that the canoe does not come upon storms or strong winds. They remain diligent as they travel between small islands and atolls across vast waters. Thus, it is the responsibility of our leaders in government but also in our communities to steer our canoe towards prosperity.
Celebrated on May 1 in the Marshall Islands, President Hilda Heine, speaking from the newly constructed stadium for the upcoming Micronesian Games, spoke about the history of the constitution as well as the recent renewal of the Compact of Free Association with the United States and the new provisions provided by Compact III. You can read her speech here in Marshallese: https://chikinmelele.com/konnaan-eo-an-he-hilda-heine-ukunim-jad/
In 1977, the ConCon, a Constitutional Convention, was convened to draft a national constitution for the Marshall Islands. This body was composed of elected representatives from the Marshallese population. These 48 delegates drafted a constitution that established the framework for self-governance and reflected the traditional leadership and modern aspirations of the Marshallese people. A referendum was held in 1979, and the constitution was approved by a significant majority of the voters. Following its approval, the constitution officially came into effect on May 1.
This marked the establishment of the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a self-governing entity. The constitution provided the legal and political framework that enabled the Marshall Islands to transition to full sovereignty with the first Compact of Free Association with the United States signed on October 21, 1986.
After a century of colonial governance with trade, imperial and military interests, the Republic of the Marshall Islands became an independent nation on October 21, 1986. This followed the signing of the Compact of Free Association with the United States, which ended the Trusteeship Agreement under which the islands had been administered by the U.S. since 1947.
The most recent renewal of the Compact was signed on March 9 of this year with an increased funds to address healthcare, infrastructure, and climate change. It also has reinstated federal assistance programs and nutrition assistance that had been withdrawn in the previous Compact. COFA residents will qualify for in-state tuition as public universities in the U.S. And, in the RMI, several federal education, special needs and job training programs will be reinstated and other US federal programs and services such as veteran’s health care will be offered. Compact III also includes new resources to address the US nuclear legacy in the RMI including money for increased access to records and a museum.
With the extended weekend around Memorial Day in the United States, Marshallese gather as a community and renew cultural connections through traditional music, dance, food and sports competitions. Through this we keep manit, maintain our cultural identity away from our islands, and commemorate our nation’s history.