At a glance
Micronesian Night at the University of Washington celebrates the heritage of the Micronesian people, showcasing culture… Read full summary
- Funding received
- 2024-2025
- Large
- Awarded
- $7,000
- Funding partners
-
- Services and Activities Fee (SAF)
- Website & social links
Micronesian Night at the University of Washington celebrates the heritage of the Micronesian people, showcasing culture through dance, language, and chant. The event fosters cultural preservation, diversity, and inclusion, especially as Pacific Islanders represent less than 1% of the student body. It aims to educate others about Micronesian history and traditions through workshops on language, history, and weaving, while offering a space for the Micronesian community to reconnect and share their culture.
Micronesian Night - An event held to celebrate the heritage of the Micronesian people to showcase our vibrant culture through dance, language, and chant. Our culture aligns with great value by promoting a sustainable and educational impact at the University of Washington. This event will re-connect our cultural ideology, enhance diversity, and maintain a significant standing as an underrepresented group.
Micronesian culture is preserved in the Western Pacific Ocean, roughly 6000 miles from our homeland. The representation is shared across the Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, and Korsae), Palau, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. At the University of Washington, we represent <1% as Pacific Islanders, so we continue to preserve our culture and for others to find belonging. Through education and cultural appropriation, we pave the way through workshops that include language, history, and weaving to make efforts for our celebration at Micronesian Night.
E-Anna Babauta
Project lead
- ebabauta@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 1 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Micronesian Islands Club
Aleia Santos
Team member
- acsantos@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 2 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Micronesian Islands Club
Aaron Espinosa
Team member
- aarone21@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 1 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Micronesian Islands Club
- Sustainable Impact
The Micronesian Islands Club is a legacy registered student organization (est. 1996) housed in the Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center located on the University of Washington West campus. Micronesian culture is preserved in the Western Pacific Ocean, roughly 6000 miles from our homeland. The representation is shared across the Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, and Korsae), Palau, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. At the University of Washington, we represent <1% as Pacific Islanders, so we continue to preserve our culture and for others to find belonging.
Our way of life traditionally depended on planting crops, fishing in shallow reef waters, and traveling through the seas in hand-made vessels. Although, we honor our ancestry and traditional era. The Micronesian culture prioritizes development through the sectors of education, agriculture, health, and fisheries in our modern times. Falling under an underrepresented and minority group, we encourage and follow a mission to “advocate for diversity while achieving a deeper understanding of our cultures to the community at UW.” We guide our mission through the University development, Burke Museum, wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ, and Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center. Our people address many concerns that we need improvement and growth in our Pacific Islander movements and cultural activity on campus. To a greater achievement, traditional weaving workshops and educational movements in dance and native language will strengthen our community through sustainability and cultural ideology.
2. Leadership & student involvement
Our team (Cass Nguyen, E-Anna Babauta, Aaron Espinosa) is determined to oversee and coordinate our project, while other colleagues take on education, outreach, cultural significance, and data analysis. Also organizing cultural workshops and activities to promote diversity and educational factors. Our Kelly ECC advising team and staff will help coordinate through communications and activity.
3. Education, outreach, & behavioral change
This project is heavily based on education and awareness. We involve our University community, and the greater Seattle to find their community and ‘home away from home.’ The Campus Sustainability Grant will help maintain the significance of our ethnic background and smaller population. This grant would bring impactful traditions to the Micronesian culture and guide us through education and cultural preservation. Many minority groups make up this diverse institution, but we need to reconnect, guide, and uplift our community to the best of our ability.
4. Feasibility & accountability
The Micronesian Islands Club has been actively working towards preserving the culture and ongoing representation at the University of Washington. Our people make up a strong background and remain accountable to further cultivate our Micronesian Culture. Recent requests for funds have been used to support the learning environment using sustainable resources, traditional activities, and impactful movements. We have remained active on the campus grounds and a resourceful group to many on the UW campus and the greater community.
Cass Nguyen
RSO Advisor
- cassn@uw.edu
- Affiliation and department
- Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center
- Stakeholder approval form
Request amount and budget
The Campus Sustainability Fund will support the Micronesian community and many more identified communities. If granted, this fund will open up new traditions and opportunities for our Pacific Islander population. Further, we will continue to preserve this budget on cultural activities that make up who we are. Traditional weaving workshops, rentable project items, cultural education and productivity through our movements in this project.
How the project will react to funding reductions
If potential funding is reduced, our project will continue to utilize the given funds to maintain social and sustainable impacts by reusing and finding reduced eco-friendly materials. We will further use our funds to promote an equitable change to uphold Micronesian Night in case of reductions or change, our project team will guarantee to strictly use our funds to promote diversity, inclusion, and social and sustainable needs within any given amount.
Plans for financial longevity
At the end, Micronesian Night will maintain its standing on the UW campus and its impacts on the UW Community. This event will be highlighted and captured through its cultural significance and impact. The rising individuals will have a digital archive and a prolonged active community to maintain and achieve throughout the project's longevity. The impacts on social awareness, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion will preserved for the future years for the Micronesian people on the UW campus and the greater community.
Project Timeline:
- Traditional weaving workshops (February, 2hrs)
- Native language (February, 1hr - bi-weekly basis)
- Ideology and cultural education - ALL MIC Islands represented (February, 1hr - bi-weekly basis)
- Micronesian Night (May, 4-5hrs)
Plans for long-term project management
Elected board officers for the next year will be responsible for our annual cultural event, “Micronesian Night.” In the Micronesian Islands Club RSO, the current officers continuing further education at the UW are responsible for overseeing the duties and tasks for this tradition. The continuity of Micronesian Night has been processed by using our new strategies established in the previous years by tabling, grant applications, cultural and educational practices, and sustainability awareness to the celebration of Micronesian Night.
Problem statement
The project proposal for Micronesian Night at the University of Washington focuses on promoting social awareness and sustainability impacts. It aims to enhance cultural preservation and awareness of our underrepresented community. Traditionally, our way of life depended on activities such as planting crops, fishing in shallow reef waters, and traveling by hand-made vessels. While we honor our ancestry and traditional practices, the Micronesian culture also prioritizes development in areas such as education, agriculture, health, and fisheries in modern times. As part of an underrepresented minority group, we are committed to advocating for diversity and fostering a deeper understanding of our Micronesian culture within the UW community.
Furthermore, sustainability efforts are incorporated into the planning of Micronesian Night. We aim to reduce waste by using eco-friendly materials for our costumes, reusing costumes and supplies year after year, minimizing energy consumption during events, and ensuring proper waste management practices are followed. This project strongly values social and sustainable awareness and will continue to address both needs to make a more sustainable UW Campus.
Problem context
Micronesian Night supports the University of Washington's Sustainable Plan by fostering diversity and inclusion within the campus community. This event creates a welcoming environment for underrepresented communities, allowing them to promote, engage, and share their voices during the celebration of Micronesian Night, all while highlighting sustainability and social awareness. Micronesian Night emphasizes the significance of history and identity, aligning with the university's mission to contribute to a more equitable and diverse community.
This project aligns with the Diversity Blueprint by promoting education, inclusion, and active engagement. The event will showcase the vibrant Micronesian community, highlighting its cultural significance and addressing environmental resilience. By celebrating historical heritage and ideology, we aim to create a sense of community and provide a 'home away from home' on campus. Micronesian Night will contribute to the Diversity Blueprint and support the university's goals for education and activism.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Awareness: Micronesian Night will foster cultural awareness by traditional weaving workshops and education movements in dance and native language will strengthen our community through sustainability and cultural ideology. | 250 | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Sustainability Education & Efforts: Discussion will take place to address and promote sustainability practice, agriculture, and resilience while preserving our culture and traditional knowledge at Micronesian Night led by a keynote speaker. | 100 | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
Our project will incorporate both digital and in-person activities to promote Micronesian Night. We will design and create unique posts to share across social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok on our Micronesian Club accounts. These posts will include event details, important dates, and information about Micronesian islands, performers, and speakers. In-person activities will consist of tabling on Red Square to enhance outreach and engagement. We will promote active participation, sell tickets to our event, and answer any related questions about Micronesian Night. By combining both digital and in-person strategies, we aim to achieve our outreach and educational goals effectively.
Student involvement
Yes, our project will only take volunteer opportunities open to undergraduate students, alumni, and UW Staff. Volunteering is open for stage equipment, stage management, costume organization, workshops, and staging.
Problem statement
The project proposal for Micronesian Night at the University of Washington focuses on promoting social awareness and sustainability impacts. It aims to enhance cultural preservation and awareness of our underrepresented community. Traditionally, our way of life depended on activities such as planting crops, fishing in shallow reef waters, and traveling by hand-made vessels. While we honor our ancestry and traditional practices, the Micronesian culture also prioritizes development in areas such as education, agriculture, health, and fisheries in modern times. As part of an underrepresented minority group, we are committed to advocating for diversity and fostering a deeper understanding of our Micronesian culture within the UW community.
Furthermore, sustainability efforts are incorporated into the planning of Micronesian Night. We aim to reduce waste by using eco-friendly materials for our costumes, reusing costumes and supplies year after year, minimizing energy consumption during events, and ensuring proper waste management practices are followed. This project strongly values social and sustainable awareness and will continue to address both needs to make a more sustainable UW Campus.
Problem context
Micronesian Night supports the University of Washington's Sustainable Plan by fostering diversity and inclusion within the campus community. This event creates a welcoming environment for underrepresented communities, allowing them to promote, engage, and share their voices during the celebration of Micronesian Night, all while highlighting sustainability and social awareness. Micronesian Night emphasizes the significance of history and identity, aligning with the university's mission to contribute to a more equitable and diverse community.
This project aligns with the Diversity Blueprint by promoting education, inclusion, and active engagement. The event will showcase the vibrant Micronesian community, highlighting its cultural significance and addressing environmental resilience. By celebrating historical heritage and ideology, we aim to create a sense of community and provide a 'home away from home' on campus. Micronesian Night will contribute to the Diversity Blueprint and support the university's goals for education and activism.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Awareness: Micronesian Night will foster cultural awareness by traditional weaving workshops and education movements in dance and native language will strengthen our community through sustainability and cultural ideology. | 250 | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Sustainability Education & Efforts: Discussion will take place to address and promote sustainability practice, agriculture, and resilience while preserving our culture and traditional knowledge at Micronesian Night led by a keynote speaker. | 100 | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
Our project will incorporate both digital and in-person activities to promote Micronesian Night. We will design and create unique posts to share across social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok on our Micronesian Club accounts. These posts will include event details, important dates, and information about Micronesian islands, performers, and speakers. In-person activities will consist of tabling on Red Square to enhance outreach and engagement. We will promote active participation, sell tickets to our event, and answer any related questions about Micronesian Night. By combining both digital and in-person strategies, we aim to achieve our outreach and educational goals effectively.
Student involvement
Yes, our project will only take volunteer opportunities open to undergraduate students, alumni, and UW Staff. Volunteering is open for stage equipment, stage management, costume organization, workshops, and staging.