Page - 387 - in Loss and Damage from Climate Change - Concepts, Methods and Policy Options

16 ClimateMigrationandCulturalPreservation… 387 Fig.16.2 OutriggerCanoe traditionally used in oceannavigation,MajuroAtoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands.PhotoA.Heslin distinctions differs rather sharply from theU.S. normof single-family households, aswell as the legalguardianshipafforded tobiologicalparents. The relocation ofMarshallese to particular communities in the U.S., however, does allow for continued community support. Springdale, Arkansas and Seattle, Washington for example, have largeMarshallese communities, withMarshallese churches and cultural events.While a location like Arkansas is lacking many of themeaningful geographic components ofmaintaining island culture, the presence of a largeMarshallese communitywas noted tomaintain aspects of the language and culture. Interview respondents in Arkansas andWashington indicated having Marshallese friends in theircommunitiesandattendingMarshallesecelebrationson holidays.Thecapacity forMarshallesemigrants tomaintaincertainaspectsof their culture, including language, religious practices, and holiday celebrations is tied to access toMarshallesecommunities.Support for theseactivitiesandcultural centres can stem the avoidable cultural losses for these activities not explicitly tied to the physical landscape.