Gloria Salii (born 1950 or 1951) is the bilung of Koror which is the female counterpart of ibedul and highest ranking female chief title in Palau.[1][2]

Gloria Salii
Salii in 2010
Bilung of Koror
Reign1975 – present
Born1950 or 1951 (age 73–74)[1]
SpouseMichael Littler
IssueJames Lebuu Littler

Life

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She became the bilung in 1975.[3] After the death of her older brother High Chief (ibedul) of Koror Yutaka Gibbons, there was a succession dispute between Salii, on behalf of her son James Lebuu Littler, and her brother Alexander Merep.[4]

Personal life

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Her family are of English, Chinese and royal Palauan descent.[1] She is married to Michael Littler, an administrator in the Palauan educational system and their son was born in 1978.[1] She is the brother of the former ibedul of Koror Yutaka Gibbons, Governor of Koror John C. Gibbons and the current ibedul Alexander Merep.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Trumbull, Robert (14 January 1979). "A Former U.S. Army Cook, Now Ruler in. Western Pacific Islands: Leads Foes of Military Bases There". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  2. ^ Reklai, Leilani (31 December 2021). "Bilung assumes Ibedul title and claims compensation". Island Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  3. ^ Profiles of Pacific Women. UNIFEM Pacific Regional Office. 2004. p. 24. The title BILUNG, which she assumed in 1975 and still holds at present,
  4. ^ a b Island Times (17 May 2022). "Bilung claims Ibedul is highest title in Palau, rejects Alex as Ibedul". Island Times. Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.