about us
Island Voices in an Interpreter and Translation service
We serve the large Chuukese population here in the Pacific Northwest with businesses, schools, medical, legal and real estate needs. We conduct training sessions for organizations, aimed at enhancing understanding of Chuukese culture.
What is Chuuk?
Chuuk, (formerly known as Truk) is one of the four states within the Federated States of Micronesia, located in the western Pacific Ocean.
- Geography: Chuuk consists of several island groups, with the main group being the Chuuk Lagoon, which includes numerous small islands formed from the rim of a large, ancient lagoon.
- History: Chuuk has a rich history, with human settlement dating back thousands of years. It was part of the Spanish East Indies, then taken by Germany in the late 19th century, Japan in the early 20th century, and finally the United States during World War II.
- Culture: The culture of Chuuk is diverse due to its history of migrations and colonial influences. The traditional way of life includes fishing, farming, and a strong emphasis on family and community. The Chuukese language is the primary language spoken, although English is also used, particularly in education and government.
Our story
Founded by Renee Clark, after immigrating from Chuuk to the Pacific Northwest. Renee became a freelance interpreter in the mid 1990's and in the mid 2000's, she then became a State Certified Chuukese interpreter while completing her B.S. in Workforce Education. When Renee recognized a lot of people in the local Chuukese community needing help communicating in education, medical and social settings she founded Island Voices, LLC.
