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Historian and genealogist Toni "Malia" Ramirez dies

Toni 'Malia' Ramirez, dressed in a black top and navy blue bottom, stands in front of cloth, soil, and other materials to begin a traditional reburial ceremony.
Naina Rao
/
KPRG News
CHamoru historian and genealogist, Toni "Malia" Ramirez, presided over a reburial ceremony in Sabånan Fadang, now the site of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, in April 2024.

Historian and genealogist Toni “Malia” Ramirez, known for her lifelong dedication to preserving Chamoru heritage, died over the weekend. She was 67.

Ramirez served as an oral historian in the Historic Resources Division of Guam’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), where she documented family lineages, curated exhibitions, and gave talks that brought Guam’s history to life.

According to DPR Director Angel Sablan, Ramirez served with DPR for 23 years and dedicated more than 31 years to the government of Guam.

“Malia, as she preferred to be called, was truly a Guam history treasure,” Sablan told the Pacific Daily News, expressing gratitude for her lasting contributions to Guam’s historical record.

As a published author on Guam history, Ramirez was often consulted to verify details on CHamoru culture, language, locations, and practices. In April, she led a reburial ceremony for ancient human remains discovered at Sabånan Fadang, now the site of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz.

Toni "Malia" Ramirez stands on a field inside Marine Camp Blaz as she prepares for a reburial ceremony, with green grass stretching out around her under a bright sky.
Naina Rao
/
KPRG News
CHamoru historian Toni "Malia" Ramirez preparing for a reburial ceremony in April 2024 after ancient human remains were found in Sabånan Fadang. Today, it's the site of Guam's latest military base, Camp Blaz.

During the ceremony, she spoke about the CHamoru tradition of honoring ancestors: “Why do we have the ceremonies and rituals? Basically, to honor those that were, at one time in their history, living in this space and buried here,” she said.

In a statement, Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero recognized Ramirez’s lifelong commitment to Guam’s culture, commending her work in CHamoru genealogy. “She made sure we understood the deep connections that run through our bloodlines,” the governor said.

Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio remembered Ramirez for her “extraordinary way of making history feel personal, helping us see ourselves in the generations that came before, reminding us that we are part of something much greater than ourselves.”

Ramirez's commitment to CHamoru heritage deepened while studying in Hawai'i, where she encountered other Pacific Islanders with a profound understanding of their histories. Inspired, she returned to Guam, seeking the stories and wisdom of the island’s elders to better understand and document the island’s past.

One of her recent projects was Promesa, a 30-minute film exploring the CHamoru novena, or devotional prayer. This year, Ramirez also represented Guam in the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPac) in Hawai'i, as part of a 110-member delegation.

Naina Rao serves as Isla Public Media's first News Director. She's extensively produced for National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Culture Desk, and 1A.
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