COFA Alliance National Network of Washington
Our Mission
We unite Washingtonians from The Republic of Palau, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia to amplify and expand the reach of our voices through civic engagement in the fight for economic and social justice.
Our Vision
That COFA citizens live healthy self-sustainable lives as Washington state residents and participate civically as leaders within Washington’s broad cultural and governmental institutions.
Our Values
Resilience.
Community.
Collective Strength.
Civic Engagement.
Our ancestors.
Justice.
Island of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia
About us
Wondering what “COFA” means?
“COFA” is an acronym for Compact of Free Association, a reciprocal treaty established between The Republic of Palau (ROP), The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Federated States of Micronesia(FSM) and the United States (US). The treaty took effect in the 1980’s and allows the United States to operate armed forces in our states, demand land for operating military bases, and grant or withhold permission to other countries’ militaries to operate on our lands.
It also created a unique immigration status for people from COFA nations: we can travel to, live, and work in the United States without visas or green cards. While the Marshallese and Palauan citizens may possess dual citizenships with the United States, FSM citizens cannot.
Many of us proudly serve in the United States military, and do so at a higher rate per capita than Americans. And originally, the treaty allowed those of us who were income-eligible to access federal assistance programs such as Medicaid. Yet, 1996 federal welfare reform law deemed us ineligible for Medicaid and federal assistance programs, creating waves of barriers to health and opportunity.
Why is our fight for justice important?
Our beautiful island region was used as a United States Nuclear Testing Program site from 1946-1958. During this period, nearly 70 nuclear bombs were detonated over our islands. Just one of these bombs, “Castle Bravo”, was 1,000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
A recent study of the soil, ocean sediment, and fruit in our region found that the radiation levels are still alarmingly high. Thus, most of us are unable to return to live on our home islands. And the impacts on our health are lasting. People from COFA nations are far more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, leukemia, and lung, thyroid, and breast cancers.
This history is our present.
COFA Alliance National Network
of Washington’s History
COFA Alliance National Network (United States) was founded in 2014 by Chris Ogo, Kianna and Jesper Angelo, Loyd Henion, and David Anitok, to spotlight the social and economic injustices that were being borne by the people of the three Pacific Island countries living in the United States.
CANN-WA was founded in 2017 to continue this work in Washington state. CANN-WA is guided by David Anitok, Project Director and Jiji Jally, Project Coordinator. COFA Washingtonians live throughout the state, and are concentrated in King, Snohomish, Skagit, Thurston, Benton, Spokane, Clark, and Pierce counties. We are further supported by a group of trusted advisors from a wide range of communities and sectors, etc.
Our Partners
CANN-WA is 2020 Community Learning Grantee
Partner in Civic Engagement & 2020 Census
Partner in COFA-related health matters
Community Partners
Marshallese 1st Ministry United Church of Christ
Marshallese Ministry Assembly of God
New Beginning Church
Family Church
Full Gospel
Kosraean Ministry United Church of Christ
Chuukese Ministries
Jehovah Witnesses
Latter Day Saints
Spokane Marshallese Community Association
Seattle Marshallese Community Association
Everett Marshallese Community Association
Yap Islands Families & Communities
Kosrae Islands Communities
Chuuk Families & Communities
Palauan Community
Pohnpeian Families & Communities
Organizational & Government Partners
Asia Pacific Cultural Center/Tacoma
Asian Pacific Islander Coalition
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Asian Counseling & Referral Services
Auburn White River Valley Museum
Burke Museum/University of Washington
Children’s Alliance
City of Auburn
Community Advisory Board (CAB) in Spokane
Group Health Foundation
Health Care Authority-COFA Advisory Committee/Outreach Workgroup
Immigration & Refugees Services/Everett
Pacific Islander Health Board
Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific Affairs
White Center Community Development Association
Advisory Board Members
Mr. Rick Kabua - Traditional Leader of the Marshall Islands, Spokane-WA
Mr. Driskell Jack - Kosrae Professional Interpreter, Federated States of Micronesia, Des Moines-WA
Ms. Rachael Tamngin - Yap Community Leader - Legal Assistant at Law Firm, Federated States of Micronesia, Seattle-WA
Ms. Juanita Yasu - Chuukese Professional Interpreter & Community Liaison, Vancouver-WA
Dr. Holly Barker - Pacific Islands Asia Curator, Burke Museum, Seattle-WA
Ms. Sili Savusa - Executive Director, White Center Community Development Association, Seattle-WA
Mr. Jon Gould - Public Policy Advisor, Seattle-WA
Ms. Katie Diamond - Organizational Development Consultant & Website Design, Seattle-WA
Ms. Desiree Gross - Web consultant, Seattle-WA
Have a Question? Contact us at info@cann-wa.us