Talofa Lava Friends,
Happy International Women’s Day! Spring is starting to show itself here on Vancouver Island. The days are getting longer, blossoms are slowly revealing themselves and a buzz of excitement is in the air as Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP) grows ever nearer to our 45th Anniversary on April 8! This is a special time of celebration and reflection for PPP, and we are thrilled to mark this milestone by embarking on a Wayfinding 2020 mission.
With the support of funder Tamalpais Trust, a San Francisco-based organization supporting Indigenous-led projects, PPP will connect with former, current and potential future partners throughout the South Pacific in a deep listening and learning mission. Ironically this mission recently began with a trip to Sápmi Territories (Swedish Lapland, Arctic Circle) where we witnessed Pawanka Fund’s transformative approach to philanthropy through global Indigenous solidarity and self-determination. This incredible initiative is highlighted in the enclosed article.
Findings and inputs from Wayfinding 2020 will inform PPP’s strategic plans for 2020-2025 to ensure they support South Pacific Islanders’ stated priorities and self determined solutions. It is anticipated this will lead to strengthened partnerships, more impactful programming and the transformation of our Pacific Resilience Fund (PRF) into an Indigenous led fund. So, watch for our continued updates on social media and through Pasifik Currents.
These have been busy and productive days here at PPP with lots of exciting programs in the works or just completed. Want to learn more? Check out our 2018-19 Annual Report and Audited Statements and our recent articles about our activities including the Climate Connect Indigenous Youth Workshop in November 2019, plus check out the touching outcomes of our recent PRF Samoa Campaign as experienced first hand by our President Muavae Va’a in December 2019. You will also see our recent solidarity statement for Wet’suwet’en; and our newest feature Pacific Pulse, a curated and synthesized selection of emergent Pacific news, plus lots of other great updates!
Our Board, Volunteers and small team of Staff are working hard to be of service to the Peoples of the South Pacific. To this end, we also work in solidarity with Indigenous peoples worldwide alongside many strong allies. As we near our 45th Anniversary we urge your continued engagement and expanded charitable support of our mandate – Please donate today! We look forward to celebrating this amazing milestone with you throughout 2020!
Yours in Solidarity for Peace,
April Ingham
Executive Director