Pacific Peoples' Partnership

Connecting Indigenous and Pacific Peoples

2019 Referendum Declares Bougainville Residents Want Independence

by

In 1989 a civil war began in Bougainville, which had long wanted independence from Papua New Guinea (PNG). A ceasefire occurred in 1998 after about 20,000 of the 200,000 residents of Bougainville were killed. In 2001 the government of PNG, wishing to maintain the peace, signed into law the Bougainville Peace Agreement which established the Autonomous Bougainville Government and promised an independence referendum no later than June 2019.

This referendum finally happened November 23-December 7, 2019. Residents were offered two options: greater autonomy or full independence. Nearly 98% of the 180,000 Bougainville residents who voted in the referendum (176,928 people) voted in favour of independence from PNG. After the results were announced on December 11, a crowd attending the vote announcement broke into song as the writs were signed by the commissioners.

However, this is only the first step to becoming independent. The referendum is non-binding, so Bougainville is now in the process of negotiating with the leaders of PNG. The national parliament of PNG has the final say on whether or not Bougainville will in fact become the world’s newest nation. An issue for PNG is that, on the one hand, it doesn’t want to lose part of its nation or encourage other provinces to secede, but on the other hand, a long process could result in civil unrest. According to Australia’s Lowry Institute, Bougainville independence is optimistically still years away. While the province has substantial natural resources, particularly copper, mining was crippled by the war and they estimate that it has 56% of the resources needed to be independent. It appears likely that the resumption of mining would be a necessary step to become self-sufficient.

There was no appeal during the 40-day petition period where an appeal was possible, and the results were closed January 20, 2020. When PNG Parliament reconvened on February 18, 2020, it was officially furnished the results. Bougainville Affairs Minister, Sir Puka Temu, in his ministerial statement declared that the national and Autonomous Bougainville Governments are expected to offer guidance going forward. He noted that while the result unified Bougainville, “it has also caused most learned and informed Papua New Guineans, including leaders, to have preference for a united country’. He stressed that Parliament is not duty-bound to immediately accept the outcome but must receive the result, consider it, and then decide.

So, with Parliament only having been furnished the results weeks ago, it is highly unlikely that anything will happen immediately, but PPP will continue to monitor the independence process. Whatever happens next, there can be no doubt that Bougainville wants its independence.

Sources:

Lyons, Kate Bougainville referendum: region votes overwhelmingly for independence from Papua New Guinea, The Guardian 11 Dec 2019

 Bougainville referendum: PNG region votes overwhelmingly for independence, BBC News 11 Dec 2019

Kenneth, Gorethy Sir Ruka Reports on Bougainville Vote Results, Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, 19 Feb 2020

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

February 19, 2020

Statement of Pacific Peoples’ Partnership Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Nation

by

Pacific Peoples Partnership (PPP) stands in solidarity with the people and the Hereditary Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation and supports the right to Indigenous self-determination and governance on Wet’suwet’en ancestral territories. For over forty years, PPP has supported the self-determination of South Pacific Islanders and Indigenous peoples in their struggles for peace, environmental sustainability, social justice and community development.

The United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007. Although Canada initially voted against the Declaration, it reversed its position and removed its permanent objector status in 2016. On November 26, 2019, the province of BC unanimously passed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIPA). UNDRIPA states, along with several other articulated rights, that Indigenous peoples shall not be forcibly removed from their lands.

We call on the federal and provincial governments of Canada to implement UNDRIP on the unceded lands of the Wet’suwet’en nation. The actions of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the provincial government are not reflective of their stated commitment to the UNDRIPA and we call for the RCMP and Coastal GasLink to leave Wet’suwet’en lands immediately so that free, prior and informed consent can take place. In solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en Nation, PPP calls for the provincial and federal governments to:

  • Respect Indigenous land title and engage in true Nation-to-Nation relationships with Indigenous Peoples, which entails meeting with the Wet’suwet’en hereditary leadership;
  • Cease construction of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline project immediately and suspend all permits in accordance with the self-determining authority of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary leadership;
  • Implement UNDRIP and recognize the Wet’suwet’en right to self-determination, including the right to free, prior and informed consent;
  • Withdraw the RCMP from Wet’suwet’en lands, in compliance with the December 2019 calls to action of UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s (CERD);
  • Respect Wet’suwet’en laws and governance systems and prohibit the use of any force to access their lands or their people.

We urge the Province of B.C. to change their current course of action and to respect UNDRIP and Wet’suwet’en laws in order to promote free, prior and informed consent on Indigenous lands and waters. Additionally, we recognize the complex political, social, and cultural contexts in which Wet’suwet’en peoples are navigating and strive to be sensitive to these complexities. In doing so, we commit to upholding and prioritizing Indigenous peoples’ self-determining authority, nationhood, laws, and commitments to promoting a healthy, just and sustainable future.

 

Featured Partner

by

PPP’s Individual donors are our Lifeblood!  Meet a long-time Lifetime Member and Featured Supporter:

Mel Moffat a PPP Lifetime Member

I have enclosed a donation to your PPP Esmonde Endowment Fund.  It feels very “right” for me to make it a substantial amount at this time when I am “able” to do so.  I am now of an age when it is much more important to not put things off.  I think it was SPPF’s involvement in the south pacific anti-nuclear concerns that brought me to SPPF and my meeting Phil [Esmonde], I was greatly saddened when he died. Although I am by no means “wealthy” I felt able to give a bit to a worthy cause at this stage in my life, and the PPP Esmonde Endowment Fund felt very right to me when it was first established and I wanted to “add a bit” to it. – – Melvin Moffat

URGENT APPEAL – Samoa Measles Outbreak December 2019

by

Let’s Send Canada’s Love & Support to Samoa

AN URGENT FUNDRAISING APPEAL For Samoa Measles Crisis

Samoa Memorial Service 2019

Updated by Pacific Peoples’ Partnership on December 30, 2019

Our hearts are breaking for Samoa, and Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) requests your help as we try to bring some comfort to the Samoan peoples during the holiday season. We have received firsthand reports from our partner Samoa Social Welfare Fesoasoani Trust about the measles crisis in Samoa. PPP has reviewed footage and photos of young victims and their devastated and grieving families. It is an unbearable tragedy, and the Samoan peoples are in our prayers and actions as we fundraise to support the families.

Our partner Leaula Theresa VH Asiata writes: “Thank you to your organization for thinking of our small nation of the measles outbreak. It is heartbreaking to bury your loved ones especially the young children. I for one was affected by this terrible outbreak, my grandson of 14 months was the first victim of the measles. He passed away on the White Sunday for all the Children of Samoa. … Our organization is opening our doors to the families for counseling and other help towards these families.

Our organization is been volunteering for our Red Cross here in Samoa, so we do have a list of families that their children died from the measles. We are grateful to Pacific Peoples Partnership and especially to your President for this kind contribution to our beautiful Samoa. I know for a fact your President understand and know exactly what our people needs so whatever your organization provide will appreciate, but just a thought small toys for children since its the Christmas time just to uplift the spirit of xmas for these young families who there kids passed away from the measles.”

-Ma lou faaaloalo tele (Kind regards) from the Samoa Social Welfare Fesoasoani Trust (SSWFT)

In a Pacific island nation with just under 200,000 people, everyone has been touched by this medical emergency. As of December 28, 2019, the Government of Samoa reports 5,667 cases of measles, 12 in the last 24 hours, and 81 deaths (mostly children). 95% of the populations has been vaccinated during this state of emergency.

PPP’s President Muavae Va’a, is Samoan and will be travelling to be with Samoan families and provide support. He will be leaving Canada for Samoa on December 31 and will be there until January 13th, 2020. We are urgently collecting donations for the affected families and in support of our partner SSWFT, who is also responding.

To contribute, please make a secure on line donation to #2 Pacific Resilience Fund before December 31, 2019 at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/pacific-peoples-partnership-association/

To learn more about the Pacific Resilience Fund visit here: https://archive.pacificpeoplespartnership.org/pacific-resilience-fund/

For more news:

PPP President Mua Va’a speaks about the crisis and our campaign on CBC (24:45 in broadcast): https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-43-north-by-northwest/clip/73379-sunday-december-15

“Why my baby?” How measles robbed Samoa of its young: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/19/world/asia/samoa-measles.html

Tiny Samoa has had nearly 5,000 measles cases. Here’s how it got so bad. https://www.vox.com/2019/12/18/21025920/measles-outbreak-2019-samoa

_______________________________________________________________________

Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) is Canada’s sole charity and NGO devoted to the peoples of the South Pacific.  Our President Muavae (Mua) Va’a is Samoan and is planning to head home December 31 to Jan 13, 2020 to provide help and assistance.  PPP is collecting funds to help out the affected families.  Mua will be delivering these Canadian donations directly to Samoan families in need.  We can offer tax deductible receipts through our Pacific Resilience Fund, Donate to campaign #2 HERE

Please help us show that Canadians care by supporting the Samoan peoples as they fight this horrific illness, grieve their unspeakable losses and begin to recover.

Media / Information:

Learn about the Pacific Resilience Funds

CBC The Current https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1654834243876

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/no-reprieve-as-samoa-measles-death-toll-hits-70-1.4721211

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-measles-samoa/decorated-with-butterflies-infant-sized-coffins-sent-to-measles-ravaged-samoa-idUSKBN1YD01J

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-09/anatomy-of-an-epidemic:-how-measles-took-hold-of-samoa/11773018

https://www.sciencealert.com/the-measles-epidemic-in-samoa-is-so-bad-unvaccinated-homes-are-being-marked-with-red

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/12/09/health-travel-advisories-issued-amid-measles-outbreak-samoa-american-samoa/

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/samoa#health

Pasifik Currents – Winter 2019

by

One Wave Gathering 2019 Delegation spends time with Chris Paul on Studio Tour

Talofa Lava PPP Friends and Members, 

Please remember Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) with your donation today! You can do so securely HERE.  Every dollar donated makes a huge difference to PPP. We leverage your donation to secure resources critical to our sustainability and solidarity building programs like the recent One Wave Gathering in Victoria, and knowledge sharing programs like RedTide 2020: International Indigenous Climate Action Summit. Plus this supports our work with HELP Resources, to transform the informal economy in Papua New Guinea.

Enclosed in this edition of Pasifik Currents you will find a treasure trove of impact stories made possible with your support. We hope you enjoy these articles that make tribute to our President Emeritus Dr. Boutilier; acknowledge our many One Wave Gathering collaborators; introduce new climate program partnerships such as with CAYAC; showcase the power of Indigenous solidarity with Maunaukea; and shed light on the escalating human rights crisis faced by our friends and partners in West Papua.   It is also a time of commemoration, join us if you can for our 44th Annual General Meeting on December 10th as we mark International Human Rights Day.

As the only Canadian organization dedicated to the South Pacific, we are honoured to be your partner in ensuring Indigenous and South Pacific peoples are leading the way to a resilient future. Exiting times are coming as we mark our 45th Anniversary with a series of new programs and initiatives. We thank you for all your support, as we have so much more to accomplish together!

Yours in Pacific solidarity,

Mua Va’a, President

April Ingham, Executive Director

Connect With Us

Pacific Peoples' Partnership
#407 620 View St., Victoria BC
Canada V8W 1J6

We want to hear from you!

Contact Information

Join Us On Social Media

About Us

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.

Read More

 

Pasifik Currents: Latest Posts