Isabella Sumang: A Nuclear Free Constitution

From 1996:

"

The Republic of Palau, a tiny Pacific Island nation of 15,122 people, is situated 3,000 miles west of Hawaii and 800 miles east of Mindanao in the Philippines. Palau’s archipelago is known for its unique coral reef environment recognised by experts as the number one underwater Wonder of the World.

Palau is an ancient matrilineal culture where women traditionally select the chief. When a western form of government was introduced women lost their traditional right to participate in political decision making. But when the United States wanted to establish a military base with nuclear weapons on the island, women’s strength was required to stop them. Three decades ago when we were told by the US to write our own constitution we were overjoyed. Finally, after 200 years of colonialism, this was our chance as people to define and charter our future. Thus, the Nuclear Free Constitution was conceived and created by our leaders for us. The Nuclear Free Constitution was a ray of hope to protect our small population and our small fragile environment, and it was our contribution to a healthy world.

Isabella is an educator and a translator of the Compact of Free Association to Palaun language. She represented the Otil A Beluad Women’s group at the US Congressional Hearing and at the United Nation Trusteeship Council meeting."

Since 1996:

Isabella Sumang contributed to the 1998 collection Pacific Women Speak Out, along with other conference speakers Zohl de Ishtar and Cita Morei, to document the Pacific Islanders' resistance to colonisation.