Hofschneider decries Obyan latte site disturbance, recalls PTSD from past heritage damage

Indigenous rights activist Liana Hofschneider said the reported disturbance of the Obyan latte site during Super Typhoon Sinlaku debris-clearing operations reopened emotional wounds from past controversies involving Chamorro ancestral lands and cultural sites.

Speaking to Marianas Press via Zoom from Guam, Hofschneider said the incident brought back what she described as “PTSD” from earlier development disputes involving Anaguan and other historic locations.

“First of all, even to just begin, it brings back those…you know, like you have PTSD from Anaguan and the road projects on Beach Road and the back road going toward Ladder Beach and all that,” she said. “It’s just the lack of respect, and the government’s lack of sensitivity and irresponsibility.”

The Anaguan site is an ancient Chamorro village settlement located in present-day Garapan and sits directly on the grounds of the Imperial Pacific Resort & Casino.

Hofschneider said she was angered that heavy equipment was allegedly operating in a culturally sensitive coastal area at the Obyan site without monitors present.

“They’re there on a Saturday with no one to monitor. That’s unacceptable on its face value,” she said. “Not only is it a culturally sensitive layer already where the sites were there, but also there are nesting turtles and other things there.”

She said the site was already known to authorities and should have been protected during cleanup operations.

“What pisses me off is that they know. They’re already informed,” Hofschneider said. “It’s not an unknown site. It’s a known place.”

Hofschneider also criticized what she described as repeated failures by government agencies to protect Chamorro heritage sites over the years.

“It’s not a new thing. This has been a habit, a tradition, and a tradition of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Historic Preservation Office,” she said.

She compared the disturbance of latte sites to desecrating cemeteries.

“When you find those latte sites, those are burial sites as well,” she said. “That’s our ancestors. They mean a lot to us.”

Hofschneider questioned why agencies allegedly failed to respond when reports first surfaced Saturday, saying she attempted to contact multiple officials including the Department of Public Safety, the Office of Attorney General, and the Office of the Governor.

“It’s really crazy that we’re allowing this to happen in our face, on our ancestors,” she said.

She called for stricter enforcement of historic preservation laws and possible federal intervention.

“Public Law 10-71 has to be enforced,” Hofschneider said. “We’re not going to let this go anymore. It’s enough.”

Despite her anger, Hofschneider urged the community to remain peaceful.

“I do not like to preach violence, but this pisses people off,” she said. “We have to tell people to be calm, be peaceful, because it’s very painful.”

Hofschneider also appealed for broader community support, saying preservation of Chamorro heritage should concern all island residents regardless of ethnicity.

“You don’t have to be Chamorro to care,” she said. “This is our island. We have to show each other that kind of respect.”

She added, “Our heritage is not for sale. It is never for sale.”