Pacific Peoples' Partnership

Connecting Indigenous and Pacific Peoples

Deep-Sea Mining in Tonga, Nauru and Kiribati.

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Deep Sea Mining – Not the silver bullet we are searching for 

By Peter Boldt, PPP Multimedia Coordinator. Peter Boldt holds a Masters degree in International Development Studies and has worked in international research and projects relating to mining, corporate accountability and sustainable development.

The transition to a prosperous green future is possible. Large multilateral institutions, grassroots community organizations, political parties, and cutting-edge thinktanks among others have begun to take strong actions in the fight against climate change. The momentum to adopt renewable sources of energy has never been stronger, despite facing considerable pushback from an array of polluting and extractive industries. Mechanisms such as carbon markets, regulatory bodies, and watchdog organizations play a critical role in mitigating carbon emissions, as do innovations in green technologies ranging from highly efficient electric vehicles to sophisticated solar power plants that use sea water reservoirs to provide around the clock electricity. However, this dramatic shift has significantly increased demand for energy storage solutions which require production of vast amounts of metals and minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and manganese.

 The Patania II used to collect polymetallic nodules from the seafloor in the Clarion Clipperton Zone. Image: DEME Group

This unprecedented new demand has ushered in a boom for deep-sea mining (DSM), a once thought fringe high-risk venture which has now turned into a lucrative opportunity for transnational corporations. DSM involves harvesting metallic nodules from the sea floor at depths sometimes greater than three kilometers. Many of these mineral concentrations are located in what is known as the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a large area in the Eastern Pacific covering more than 4.5 million square kilometers. This area is regulated by an intergovernmental body known as the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This body is responsible for granting exploration contracts for DSM activities outside Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of respective countries. Thus far, South Pacific nations that have sponsored exploration initiatives both within their own EEZs and in the CCZ are Nauru, Cook Islands, Kiribati, and Tonga.

The extractive process is costly and extremely challenging from a technological perspective, given the great depths at which that machinery must operate and the remoteness of prospecting sites. Since it is a relatively new process, little technological progress has been made and detailed methods that corporations intend to use are not disclosed. This lack of transparency coupled with significant knowledge gaps of ecosystems at such remote depths has the potential to cause irreversible damage to fragile abyssal organisms and may trigger unprecedented chain reactions in already compromised ecosystems. The removal of nodules which serve as habitats, the creation of sediment plumes, and the discharge of waste, chemicals, and tailings has the potential to greatly disturb an area of the earth that we know very little about. In addition, the removal and disturbance of these fragile habitats is permanent. Nodules take millions of years to form and would guarantee a significant loss of biodiversity.

Polymetallic nodule with a shark tooth, recovered from 5000 meters below the Pacific. Image: Velizar Gordeev

Deep-sea mining has been lauded as a worthwhile economic opportunity, particularly for Small-Island Developing States (SIDS) whose economies rely heavily on tourism. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many national governments are struggling to provide employment and have implemented austerity measures to soften economic shocks. Desperation has intensified the pressure to grant DSM licenses as transnational corporations seek to take advantage of the uncertain economic climate to push their agendas. 

The extraction of minerals, however, has very rarely led to sustainable development, particularly in the global south. In fact, extractive operations have often generated divisions in many communities and led to conflict over control of territories and resources. Economists have also long questioned whether natural resource extraction is in fact a path to equitable and long-lasting development. Land-based mines have often caused more harm than good and have resulted in irreversible damage to the surrounding environment and social fabric of communities.

 Tuna migrations are particularly vulnerable to changes in the deep-sea ecosystem. Credit: A. Pavel

The connection between the ocean and Pacific Peoples goes beyond economic dependence. As with Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia, Pacific Peoples view themselves as custodians, not owners, of the ocean and its resources. This relationship links to traditional Indigenous understandings and the concept of ensuring that resources are protected and accessible for future generations. Additionally, Pacific Peoples understand the interconnected nature of the ocean, and how it serves as a network to reefs, and other shallow waters. Understandably, many members of civil society and traditional leaders have spoken out against DSM, largely out of concern for the health of their protected waters. 

Canada is home to many mining companies, some of which specialize in deep-sea mining. However, Canada’s own Fisheries Act (2019) prevents any DSM exploration within Canadian borders since it could potentially release harmful substances in waters frequented by fish. In light of this, Canadian companies have set their sights internationally, often targeting the resource rich waters of countries that struggle economically, such as Papua New Guinea. For example, the Canadian company Nautilus Minerals Inc. which was the first venture to secure a license for DSM, failed and declared bankruptcy within a decade of beginning operations. This particular project, titled Solwara 1 DSM, disregarded community perspectives and inconsistencies were found in relation to their environmental impact assessments (EIAs). Canadian mining companies often operate with impunity abroad, and ignore the guidelines that are provided to them, which highlight the need for proper consultations and rigorously researched EIAs. 

 Pictured is Jonathan Mesulam, a leader and advocate of local communities, urging the PNG government to cancel Nautilus Minerals’ deep-sea mining licences. Image credit URL 

To date, the largest players eying South Pacific waters are:

    1. DeepGreen Metals, a private company based in Vancouver. (https://deep.green/) It currently holds a 15-year license to explore 74,830 square kilometres of the CCZ.
    2. Global Sea Mineral Resources, a Belgian subsidiary of the Deme Group. (https://www.deme-gsr.com/) It too holds a 15-year exploration license in the CCZ. 3
    3. The Cook Islands has expressed the strongest political interest in DSM. They also have significant amounts of nodules within their EEZ and have granted DSM licenses.

Overall, there has been little concern or attention given to the potential social and cultural impacts of DSM. Just as terrestrial mining has done for decades, the focus of transnationals has largely been placed on mitigating environmental effects or ‘greenwashing’, which is the practice of misleading investors and the public into buying into their narrative of being environmentally mindful. In order for social and cultural perspectives to be truly respected and considered, transnationals must go far beyond individual consultations and high-level closed-door business meetings. DSM transnationals must engage with all levels of society, and meaningfully explore the social and cultural implications DSM may have. This can only be achieved through extensive dialogue and genuine engagement, where community stakeholders are treated as equal participants in the process. 

For these conditions to be met, a moratorium on all DSM activities is urgently required, given the uncertainties surrounding environmental impacts and the lack of social or cultural impact assessments. MiningWatch Canada, along with other partners, published an extensive report in May 2020 which you can find here. It calls for a precautionary pause on the issuance of new DSM exploration contracts until further studies are conducted and DSM impacts are better understood.

Proponents argue that DSM will provide all the necessary materials to transition to clean energy; they champion DSM almost as the ‘extractions to end all extractions.’ The problem is no one knows for certain the environmental impacts DSM might cause, particularly because it has never been tried at a large scale and is for the most part an experimental process. The urgent need to innovate in the face of climate impacts is critical, but it should never disregard or come at the cost of compromising environmental, social, and cultural resources.

Pasifik Pulse: COVID-19 In the Pacific

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COVID-19 in the Pacific and a Concert to Unite

Prepared by Andy E. Nystrom, PPP Archivist & Research Assistant

A universal truth in 2020 is that everyone has to deal with COVID-19 in some form or another, even if you live in one of the few locations left in the world with no cases. Although remote, many areas in the Pacific Islands have been hit with the virus. According to Worldometer on August 21, 2020, COVID-19 cases in the South Pacific include (Total Cases/Total Deaths/Total Active Cases; see the site for more stats): Indonesia (149,408/6,500/39,917), Australia (24,407/472/5,475), New Zealand (1,665/22/105), Papua New Guinea (361/4/159), French Polynesia (211/0/143), Fiji (28/1/7), Timor-Leste (25/0/0), New Caledonia (23/0/1). Worldometer tracks US states and territories separately; among those in the Pacific are: Hawaii (5,844/45/3,768), Guam (767/6/379), and Northern Mariana Islands (54/2/33).

While some regions of the Pacific have indeed avoided the direct impacts of the virus, the entire region is facing hardship due to the virus. According to Pacific Islands Forum secretary general Dame Meg Taylor in a recent Guardian article, “Covid-19 has exposed and exacerbated systemic and structural imbalances in our systems and societies, underlining the urgency for decisive policy action… If I look at this from what’s happening within communities and different countries, I think some countries are getting harder hit than others, and I think where we’ve seen unemployment, we’ve seen people really struggle… We’re seeing in places like Nadi [Fiji] low employment and lots of young mothers and carers with children who do not have sufficient resources to be able to feed themselves.” As the article also notes, remittances, or overseas money sent between the islands, are predicted by World Bank to decline by 13%, “represent[ing] a huge downturn for Samoa, Tonga and the Marshall islands, where money sent back by overseas workers account for 40% of average household income.” 

 As of early September, Tonga has no confirmed COVID-19 cases, and entry restrictions prohibit most travellers from entering the country. Credit: Tonga Tourism Authority

Cook Islands, Fiji, and Vanuatu are particularly hard hit due to reliance on tourism. As the Guardian article explains, “Tourism makes up 40% of Fiji’s GDP. The International Monetary Fund recorded a 99% drop in tourist arrivals to the country in May 2020 compared with the same month last year.” This is likely to result in a decline of 21.7% in Fiji’s economy, more than any other Pacific nation. It is uncertain how tourism in the area can begin to recuperate, as plans for tourism “travel bubbles” remain stalled in Australia and New Zealand. At the time of the article (August 11), New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern predicted quarantine-free travel to the Cook Islands in 2020, but the newest outbreak in New Zealand puts that into question. 

While virus mitigation efforts continue throughout the Pacific, one recent creative initiative came together to spread hope and connection. As part of the effort to unite the Pacific in this time of COVID-19, “UN in the Pacific brought together artists, UN leaders, Heads of State and international celebrities in the world’s first regional COVID-19 concert.” Titled Pacific Unite: Saving Lives Together, the concert was streamed on Saturday, August 15 (the entire concert can be found in the above link). This two-and-a-half-hour concert, hosted by Tofiga Fepulea’I as his character “Aunty Tala,” included “musical performances from Jahboy of the Solomon Islands, Mia Kami of Tonga, Juny B of Kiribati, Te Vaka of New Zealand and many more.”  Fepulea’I called it “the first-ever virtual concert to comprise primarily of artists from across the region and be accessible to audiences not only in the Pacific but around the world.” Aside from being streamed worldwide, this closed-captioned concert was broadcast on radio and television in 12 Pacific Island nations, Australia, New Zealand, plus some countries farther afield.

While offering an experience to enjoy, the concert shone a light on the varied issues experienced across the region due to the pandemic, with growing issues with economic instability, food shortages, domestic violence, and mental health issues. Speakers stressed that rebuilding must include “creating a sustainable Pacific that is resilient to the impacts of climate change.” According to President of Palau Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. in his video message, “This new normal should not be the same old story, but with face mask.” UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohamed stressed that the only way to overcome COVID-19 is to work together. She urged the global community to help the islands “by ensuring equitable access to vital medical equipment, supplies and – when they become available – vaccines“ as well as by debt-relief and stimulation support. 

Demonstrating the resilience of the Pacific People, the concert closed with the song We Will Rise, “written about the coronavirus pandemic in the Pacific and performed by Pasifika Voices and the International School Suva.” 

Sung primarily by children and youth, the hopeful closing lyrics were:

“Around the world, we’re closing borders, COVID-19 on the rise

A new world order behind closed doors, the storm will pass, we will survive

We will rise, we will rise again, our isles will rise again

We will rise, we will rise again, our world will rise again” 

Pasifik Pulse: Palm Oil and Food Insecurity in Papua

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Palm Oil and Food Insecurity in Papua

Prepared by Tana Thomas, PPP Arts and Culture Coordinator, who is also a Nuu-chah-nulth youth leader, canoe skipper, and healing advocate.

In Papua, Indonesia’s largest and easternmost province of Indonesia, large scale palm oil plantation developments are not only threatening animal and plant species, but also the caretakers that have sustained these species for thousands of years. Sophie Chao, an anthropologist at the University of Sydney, has spent years working with the Indigenous Marind people of southern Papua. In her powerful article, she sheds light on the severe impacts that new palm oil plantations are having on the region. What she has discovered in her in-community work is that the Marind people are increasingly unable to obtain their traditional foods and are suffering from malnutrition. 

Merauke and Boven Digoel, the districts in southern Papua where oil palm estates are concentrated.

The practice of harvesting their own food is one of the many factors that sustains holistic wellbeing in many Indigenous communities. Witnessing the loss of their traditional foods can bring overwhelming feelings of grief and shame stemming from not being able to provide for their families. The Marind children of the village have grown up learning to sustain and create abundance within their natural food systems when harvesting. Since time immemorial, Marind children have been firsthand witnesses to the generations before them, following protocols and enacting ceremonies passed on through generations in order to coexist with their relatives of the forest. 

Marind families are now fighting to sustain their customs, feed their families, and protect the natural forests that are their home, working from their deeply held belief that everyone and everything is interconnected. Exploitation of their forest food systems is destroying the spirit and wellbeing of their communities. The generational act of enculturation is being severed due to the detachment from teachings that stem from their environment. It’s an enforced act of assimilation into a system that bypasses the basic needs of humanity. Unfortunately, this is a common fight Indigenous people are facing throughout the world.

The Indonesian government continues to approve more palm oil projects with increasing impacts on Indigenous Papuans and their lands. Learn more about this important issue and catch a glimpse of the stories of Marind families in Chao’s article published by Mongabay and The Gecko Project.

People & Passages: Habitat House

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A New Home for a Local Pacific Family

Prepared by Jaimie Sumner, PPP Operations Coordinator, who is familiar with Habitat’s important work, having previously managed a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

We are thrilled to share the news that a local Indigenous / Pacific Islander family, Tina and Niu Savea and their 3 kids, is getting a new home!  The Savea family has Cree and Samoan roots and has been working toward a house of their own for years.  Earlier this year, they found out that their dream was to come true through a partnership program with Habitat for Humanity Victoria.

The Savea family in Victoria, B.C. is excited that Habitat for Humanity is helping them invest into their family’s future.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization focused on providing safe and stable homes for lower-income families in Canada and across the world.  Many people are familiar with Habitat’s international housing projects but are unaware that local chapters focus on building houses too. In Victoria, families apply to their local Habitat for Humanity to be considered for the local homeownership program.  If selected, each family invests 500 hours of their own labour into Habitat’s volunteer programs by helping out at builds, Habitat stores, and special events. Habitat homes are sold to qualified families at fair market value and are financed with affordable mortgages at no more than 30% of the family’s income. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund, which is used to build more homes.

Habitat for Humanity Victoria is building eleven new homes this year. Their work is supported by community donations and by two secondhand home & building supply outlets called ReStores.  Consider shopping or donating if you can.  And congratulations to the Savea family on qualifying for their new home!

Tina Savea shared:

“Now is the perfect time to let you all in on some exciting news for our family… We have been blessed to partner with Habitat for Humanity and to be able to purchase our very own home. We have always desired to buy a home… but the very expensive market in Victoria we would either have to leave the city we have grown to love or have to save for 100 years. LOL, We didn’t want to do either. 

We were told about this amazing organization that helps make buying a home possible for families like ours. AND they just happen to be doing a build 3 minutes away from the house we are in now & only STEPS away from the ocean!! We took the plunge and started the 6-month process of applying! Months later we got the phone call we were accepted. Now here we are, helping build our brand new home, connected to a great community of people & all extremely grateful to this amazing organization. Habitat for Humanity is helping us invest in our family’s future!”

People & Passages: Teddy Balangu

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Update on the Health of Sepik Master Carver, Teddy Balangu

By Carol Mayer

Photo Submitted by Carol Mayer. Teddy Carving in the Moa

Last Fall, PPP and Friends were disturbed to hear of a medical crisis facing long-time friend Teddy Balangu, a master carver in the Sepik Region of Papua New Guinea.  Several of his Canadian friends took a collection to help with travel and medical interventions necessary for his treatment.  After a long delay without response, PPP was delighted to receive a call from Teddy last week noting he is back in his home village and in remission. He expressed gratitude to all his friends, including PPP Board Member and Museum of Anthropology Curator Carol Mayer who shared the following:

Teddy Balangu is without doubt one of the most accomplished artists to have emerged from the Sepik region of Papua New Guinea.  He was born in Palembei Village to a large family of artists who were trained to carve by fathers and uncles.  In 1995, he was one of twelve carvers selected to spend six months in residence at Stanford University in California, where he worked alongside other Sepik artists to create a group of monumental works known as the New Guinea Sculpture Garden. Since then his works have been exhibited and/or collected in New Caledonia, Canada, Australia, Germany, France and the United States.

The long and rewarding relationship between Teddy Balangu and the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology (MOA) in Vancouver began in 2006 when he was awarded the Andrew Fellowship, a three-month residency in the creating and performing arts at MOA.  Carol Mayer, curator for the Pacific collections, travelled to the Sepik with Salish artist John Marston to meet him and give him the travel documents needed for him to come to MOA. He and John became firm friends and their friendship was central to the video “Killer Whale and Crocodile” that was filmed in Papua New Guinea and British Columbia.  John later carved a stunning panel in honour of his visit to Teddy and his village that now resides at MOA.  Teddy’s grandchild is named after John’s son (Noah) and they are now considered brothers, thereby forming a permanent link between the two families.

Photo Submitted by Carol Mayer.

Teddy carved two clan poles during his time at MOA.  One is now permanently on display in the Multiversity Gallery and the other is installed in Vantage College on UBC Campus. 

Carol Mayer visited Teddy’s village 3 times since his residency here, and he has returned to MOA twice.  During one visit, Carol and MOA designer Skooker Broome created a video exploring concerns about the environmental challenges created by impending mining activity at the head of the Sepik shared by Teddy and others.  This was featured in the recent exhibition “In the Footprint of the Crocodile Man” held at MOA, an exhibition that was as much about advocacy as it was about contemporary art.  MOA’s relationship with Teddy and other artists along the Sepik continues to this day, and we have recently hosted four more artists from the area at MOA. 

Teddy is now a respected elder in his village and recently installed water towers, funded by international cosmetic philanthropist, LUSH, to combat the expected pollution of the rivers by the impending mining activity at the head of the river.  When he spoke to a group of people that Carol Mayer took to his village in 2017, Teddy’s enthusiasm for the Water Tower project and his commitment to the well-being of his village, his culture and the world around him was very apparent.  His recent illness slowed him down, but now he is back in the village, feeling well and prepared to continue his work.  Carol Mayer is looking forward to seeing him again during her next visit.

People & Passages: Johnny Edmonds

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Johnny Edmonds, A Champion of Indigenous Tourism

Prepared by Dani McDonald, Communications/Media, New Zealand Māori Tourism

We learned with heavy hearts that our dear friend and colleague, Johnny Edmonds passed away in May 2020. Johnny was a stickler for detail and flag bearer for the development and strengthening of indigenous tourism. For Johnny, tourism was a vehicle for indigenous people to tell their own story. It is because of his foresight that New Zealand Māori Tourism exists today.

Johnny held executive management positions for indigenous non-profit organizations for the past two decades in Aotearoa and Australia. These include the Waitangi National Trust, Taitokerau Regional Māori Tourism Organisation, NZ Māori Tourism Council and the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council. He served on tourism industry boards in NZ and Australia and held statutory and executive management positions in the NZ government.

Johnny led the formation of the national body of NZ Māori Tourism, as we know it today, from 2004 – 2007 where he helmed the establishment and organizational development of the NZ Māori Tourism Council, and the development of national and international relationships to foster the development of Māori tourism. In 2005, only one year into his new role at NZ Māori Tourism, Johnny established the inaugural nationwide conference in Tāmaki Makaurau focusing on operating sustainable clusters alongside the former Associate Minister of Tourism, Hon Dover Samuels. A year later, Johnny’s expertise at building relations was evidenced in a collaboration between Government and NZ Māori Tourism to provide targeted mentoring services to the business development needs of small Māori tourism businesses.

Johnny poured his energy into turning the attention of the tourism industry toward the Māori tourism product. During his tenure, Johnny saw that Māori tourism would grow Aotearoa’s entire tourism industry. Māori tourism eventually became the fastest growing sector, as a result of Johnny’s dedication and visionary leadership.

Pasifik Currents July 2020 Executive Message

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One Wave Gathering Delegation visit Chris Paul Studio (September 2019)

Talofa Lava dear friends,

Earlier this month Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) released a Black Lives Matter solidarity message that we firmly stand behind and we invite you to join us:

We support the fight for equality, liberation, and justice. Our struggles for Black rights, Indigenous rights, and human rights are interconnected and come from the lived experiences within our PPP Board and our wider PPP community. Equality, liberation, and justice are integral to the work we do in partnership with Indigenous peoples, nations, and communities in Canada and throughout the South Pacific, and we are dedicated to upholding those values and practices.

All of us here at PPP hope that you and yours are well, as we weather COVID-19 realities as a global community.  It is in the face of adversity and challenges like this that our traditional teachings hold most important, and the fact that this knowledge continues to live on is a testament to the resilience of Pacific Islanders and Indigenous peoples.  Amidst the coronavirus, climate change and economic uncertainties, we acknowledge the unique challenges facing us at all levels and the interconnected nature of the crises and compounding impacts.  As research professor Cynthia Enloe has said of this pandemic: “We aren’t all in this together. We’re all on the same rough seas together, but we’re in very different boats.”

In French Polynesia, some residents have expressed disgust that their borders have now reopened to tourists, many who may come from the worst infected parts of the world.  Understandably, balancing economies and health are tough choices for nations who have worked so hard to develop their tourism sector. We have also been inspired by Pacific Islander youth who have been forced to return to home villages following COVID-19 shutdowns, such as Tuvalu’s youth who have ignited a renewed interest in their Indigenous knowledge.

This is a time when the global community must increase official development assistance to ensure no one is left behind.  Indeed, donor countries should go a step further and forgive development loans that encumber and trap small island developing states.  PPP recently signed on to a letter to encourage our country to do just that!  You can do your part by asking your Government to do more, and you can also give directly to our community-based partners through our Pacific Resilience Fund.

Included in this edition of Pasifik Currents we are proud to share our solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, program updates and much more.  We are also thrilled to welcome our newest Team members Zachary, Tana and Peter, who will be working with us through the next few months on our COVID-19 protocol compliant One Wave Gathering amongst other projects.

Yours in solidarity,

Muavae (Mua) Va’a and April Ingham

       

Tourism and COVID-19: BC Indigenous Peoples and South Pacific Islands defend the right to health amid mounting pressure

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Prepared by Peter Boldt, Multimedia Coordinator, Pacific Peoples’ Partnership

For many, the choice between health and financial security is not mutually exclusive. Working remotely has provided many metro residents the privilege of a stable paycheck while safeguarding them from the coronavirus pandemic. The same cannot be said for remote Indigenous communities in British Columbia and South Pacific Island nations that rely on tourism for economic well-being. 

In late June, Public Health officials in British Columbia announced Phase 3, which allows non-essential travel within BC. This has led to an increase in intra-province travel and put many remote Indigenous communities at risk of coming into contact with COVID-19. Businesses reliant on tourism, such as retreats and fishing lodges, have begun re-opening, leading to a flood of tourists. Many businesses have opened their doors without proper consultation or discussion with Indigenous nations whose land they operate on.

Indigenous communities in Haida Gwaii have been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 outbreaks. (Image by Murray Foubister)

The Haida community in particular has taken a strong stance against the re-opening of tourist businesses, namely large-scale fishing lodges. Haida matriarchs are leading a resistance movement against non-essential travellers entering the territory unless the provincial government provides rapid testing kits, culturally-sensitive contact tracing teams, and tourist screening measures. Remote Indigenous communities such as those on Haida Gwaii have limited access to health resources and could be devastated by a COVID-19 outbreak. Haida Gwaii has only two ventilators for its population of about 4500. Moreover, for many Indigenous peoples, the protection of elders is tied to their cultural survival, as many are the last speakers of endangered languages and keepers of oral histories. And so, despite the economic implications, Indigenous leaders are exercising their sovereign right in protecting their lands and people.

Small island nations in the South Pacific have had a similar struggle with COVID-19, with governments closing borders to non-essential travel for fear of exposure. The tourism sector has taken a massive hit, causing huge economic shocks and prompting many to call coronavirus “the job-killer of the century. To put things in perspective, tourism makes up 20-30% of economic activity in countries like Samoa and Tonga, according to the IMF. Many island nations hoped to create a summer “travel bubble” to admit tourists from countries with low caseloads, only to determine the risks still too high. With massive job loss as well as food shortages affecting many Pacific Islands, public policymakers and citizens are grappling with the dichotomy between tourism dollars and health.

Both Indigenous communities and South Pacific island nations face unique circumstances in this pandemic. Many of these communities are vulnerable to a COVID-19 outbreak due to limited health resources, remoteness from larger facilities, and reliance on tourism. At the time of writing this article, B.C. Health officials have declared a COVID-19 outbreak on Haida Gwaii that has infected at least 13 individuals. 

At Pacific Peoples’ Partnership, we believe that communities come first.  We call on the provincial government and international community to respect the rights of Indigenous and South Pacific nations and prioritize health and safety over tourism dollars. We also call on B.C. tourist businesses to engage with, cooperate with, and respect the demands of the Haida Nation and all Indigenous nations.

One Wave Gathering: Hereditary Resurgence of Reforming Safe Circles

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Prepared by Tana Thomas, Arts and Culture Coordinator, Pacific Peoples’ Partnership

ÍY SȻÁĆEL (Good day) to the city of Victoria that resides on the traditional unceded territory of the Lekwungen People. In our own canoes, we’ve all had to adapt to a new way of paddling through this global pandemic. After several waves of the triggers that come with the unknown, the spirit of the Pacific Ocean continues to bring unity amongst nations.

Songhees Canoe family asking hereditary leadership permission to come ashore in Victoria, B.C. (2018)

This September, Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) is delighted to once again deliver One Wave Gathering, an annual celebration of Pacific and Indigenous Cultures. At One Wave, artists, speakers, and leaders share stories through song, dance, carving, weaving, traditional foods and art. This year, we will offer events within the safe constructs of social distancing or delivered online to you in the comfort of your own home. Offerings you may enjoy this year include digital media, pop-up performances, youth arts, and maybe even a drive-in theatre!  We also have planned broadcasts of the youth opera “Flight of the Hummingbird” youth opera, Roy Henry Vickers’ “Peace Dancer,” and the unveiling of the Pacific Peace Post, the culmination of a two-year collaboration between Carvers Bradley Dick and Ake Lianga.

As delegated guests arrive from near and far to participate in a sacred cultural exchange, they are traditionally welcomed by the hereditary caretakers of this land. Wherever you may travel in this world, Indigenous people have followed their ancestral protocols of welcoming visitors into their territory. Historically, the ancestors of Pacific Islanders and coastal First Nations have voyaged these waters and shared stories with one another since time Immemorial.

Since 2008, the One Wave Gathering has been held on the unceded traditional territory of the Lekwungen people, which consists of the Songhees and Esquimalt nations. Lekwungen traditionally means “A place to smoke herring”. As told by many elders, our teachings stem from the roots in our territory. Every spectrum of the land and ocean explored has a language in which it speaks. Learning the language of the land gives us insight into how to coexist with one another and provides a deeper understanding that isn’t perceived in the English language. 

One Wave Gathering is a historical and transformative opportunity for guests of all ages to learn and interact with Pacific knowledge keepers and artists. It’s a true honour to witness the stories being told and gain insight on the deep-rooted connection between our lands and peoples.  As communal people, It’s a vital responsibility to our spirit to reform connections and participate in meaningful circles of dialogue. 

For many years it’s been a delicate time to publicly share Indigenous cultural protocols and ceremonies outside of our communities. Globally, Indigenous people are survivors of urbanization, colonial institutions, and cultural genocide. Visitors that join the circles must educate themselves about the historical traumas Indigenous people have faced due to the loss of territory, the loss of the children, and the loss of language. Many of our teachings have gone underground. Certain songs and dances were not always accessible. Many ceremonies and teachings were ultimately protected by those who were told to keep them sacred while remaining a secret to the outside world. It has been a long and resilient journey back to feeling safe enough to learn about and share our true identity.

Nuu-chah-nulth dancers at One Wave Gathering in Victoria, B.C. (2017)

To gather and culturally share with one another is a vigorous act of resilience. The One Wave Gathering wouldn’t be possible without the courageous act of each individual artist sharing their story. Our hands go up to all of you! 

When healing takes place in our communities and our intergenerational shame has been acknowledged as something, not ours to carry, we are able to share in a good way. It is up to each individual that’s joining the circle to create a safe place for cultural exchange. When we are sharing teachings with one another, we understand that there are many threads of life that add to the lesson as a whole.

As a previous attendee of this beautiful event, I have left with the feelings of being surged with hope and pride. I stood alongside many allies as a firsthand witness to the transformation that’s happening within and through our nations. The One Wave Gathering has created a safe place in which Indigenous-led dialogue is highly valued and respected. Pacific Peoples’ Partnership has done an extraordinary job collaborating with the local nations to strengthen the collective vision of constructive steps towards unity. 

We hope to see familiar and new faces join the canoe at One Wave this year as we ride the next wave into resurgence!

The Indigenous Climate Action Preschool Program

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Prepared by Tana Thomas, Arts and Culture Coordinator, Pacific Peoples’ Partnership

Photo credit to IISAAK OLAM Foundation

We would like to honour and celebrate the IISAAK OLAM Foundation in the success of an educational pilot program (ICAP) that began in early January 2020. The Program was offered in the traditional territories of the Lekwungen People, specifically Marigold and South Valley Parks in South Saanich BC. 

The intent of the program was to introduce a traditional way of learning into today’s westernized public school system, specifically early childhood development and education. ICAP instructors led Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in learning about the hereditary role we have as a collective. The ICAP program focused on the core values of respect, responsibility and unity rooted in the teachings that come with environmental stewardship. The curriculum involved mindfully observing, identifying, and interacting with local plants, insects, and animals. Traditional stories were shared, and students took part in sustainable harvesting and restoration projects. Relationships were strengthened within the community as a deeper understanding of connection was received by participants of all ages. 

The IISAAK OLAM Foundation was thrilled to be able to create and deliver an alternative education model for young children that encourages place-based learning and cross-cultural literacy. We’re grateful to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Pacific Peoples’ Partnership, and Saanich Parks for supporting this special initiative. 

 Monica Shore, Co-founder, IISAAK OLAM Foundation

www.iisaakolam.ca

It is empowering to see programs focused on the prosperity of future generations. The ultimate law of our people is to protect our offspring. This includes creating a safe place to learn cultural teachings, such as environmental stewardship. As long as we protect and preserve our natural surroundings, our teachings will never be lost. Our teachings originally come from the land, the ocean, and observing all the beings within it! On behalf of Pacifc Peoples’ Partnership, our hands go up to the visionaries and leaders behind this initiative, and to the children for paving a new path for the wellbeing of all humanity.

Photo credit to IISAAK OLAM Foundation

A phase two COVID-19 friendly virtual program has been envisioned and we are now actively fundraising to support this incredible program led by IISAAK OLAM Foundation, in collaboration with Pacific Peoples’ Partnership and Saanich Parks, with support of a grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. 

Check out the final report by IISAAK OLAM to learn more about the program.

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For 45 years, Pacific Peoples’ Partnership has supported the aspirations of South Pacific Islanders and Indigenous peoples for peace, environmental sustainability, social justice and community development.

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