Republic of the Marshall Islands

(RMI)

Independence & Constitution: May 01, 1979

Capitol: Majuro

Language: Marshallese

Nationality: Marshallese

Geography

Region: Oceania

Sub-region: Micronesia

Country: Marshall Islands

Island Chain - West: Ralik (sunset)

Island Chain - East: Ratak (sunrise)

Flag

Adopted May 01, 1979

Designer: Late First Lady, Lejla (chief's consort)

Emlain Shizuko Kudo Kabua

Seamstress: Late Bwidrak (daughter of chief)

Bujen Kabenantain Timothy Brian

Relationship with the United States of America

1944 - The US gains military control from Japan.

1946–1958 - USA conducts 67 nuclear bomb tests on the Bikini, Enewetak, Ronlap, & Utirok Atolls, displacing thousands. Nuclear fallout spreads throughout the Marshall Islands.

1986 - Independence from USA

Compact of Free Association with the US.

The US operates a military base on/around the Kwajalein Atoll.

RMI is not a territory of the US. It's similar to a protectorate with the US responsible for its defense.

Marshallese citizens may work and study in the US without a visa. They enter the United States with an RMI passport & Form I-94. They may apply for and receive Social Security numbers in the United States.

They may also lawfully be present/reside in the US indefinitely. Children born to Marshallese citizens in the US have US citizenship.

Marshallese citizens join the U.S. military at a higher rate than any U.S. state.

Many federal welfare programs such as Medicaid & SNAP exclude Marshallese citizens as recipients. WIC benefits are often available. Many elderly Marshallese persons are ineligible for Social Security benefits due to lack of qualifying work hours in the US.

State food programs such as Washington's Basic Food program includes Marshallese citizens.

Language

A single language, Marshallese, is spoken throughout RMI and among its people. The language is quite different from English in its roots, history, syntax, alphabet, vocabulary, complexity, and standardization. It is unique and beautiful in its sound.

There are no online/digital translation programs, apps, or software able to translate Marshallese text or interpret Marshallese speech.

Family & friend relationships often have interchangeable terms as opposed to English. Depending on the context, a specific relation may be referred to in various ways.

Culture

Marshallese culture is traditional, hospitable, and family-centric. It is also matrilineal. The vast majority of Marshallese are Christian. Its traditional societal structure includes chiefs and chieftesses, with strong patriarchal and matriarchal elements. Honor, respect, custom, kindness, courtesy, faith, and unity are paramount values.

The culture is marked by meaningful arts such as handicrafts, sewing, songs, dance, chants, speeches, and storytelling.

Cultural awareness is very important when serving Marshallese families.

When an English-speaker is asking certain questions or broaching certain subjects with a patient, student, etc. and their family, he/she must be mindful of relationship-dependent taboos.

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