In his lecture, titled “The Art of the Love Letter,” Aguon will reflect on his life as both a writer and a lawyer, his love of language, and the inspiration behind his new book, “The Properties of Perpetual Light,” published by the UOG Press.

“We are pleased to welcome Julian Aguon back to UOG,” said President Thomas W. Krise, referencing the commencement address given by Aguon at UOG’s Fanuchånan Commencement Ceremony in 2018. “We are delighted to hear his insights and to discuss his new book, which has been lauded internationally by his fellow authors and voices for indigenous rights.”

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About the Lecturer

Julian Aguon is an indigenous human rights lawyer and writer from Guam. He is the founder of Blue Ocean Law, a progressive firm that works at the intersection of indigenous rights and environmental justice. He serves on the Global Advisory Council of Progressive International — a global collective that launched in May with the mission of mobilizing progressive forces around the world behind a shared vision of social justice.

About the Book

“The Properties of Perpetual Light” is an homage to the work of the activist-writer, which author Julian Aguon describes as “the work of bearing witness, wrestling with the questions of one’s day, telling children the truth.” With prose and poetry both bracing and quiet, Aguon weaves together stories from his childhood in the villages of Guam with searing political commentary. Throughout the book, Aguon grapples with one heart-breaking loss after another by immersing himself in the beauty of his island, the magic of Micronesia, and the wisdom of his favorite books and elders.