Pacific Climate Warriors of the Federated States of Micronesia

Pacific Climate Warriors of the Federated States of Micronesia

 

Pacific Climate Warriors across the region, have begun building traditional styled canoes as part of the #StandUpForThePacific campaign being run by climate change network, 350 Pacific.

To announce the launch of the Canoe Build, the Pacific Climate Warriors chose the 12th of April as their Day of Action.

These canoes are being built with a unique purpose in mind – they will travel with the Pacific Climate Warriors on a historic journey to Australia.

In Australia, they will use the canoes to communicate their message on climate change. They will stand up peacefully but powerfully to the fossil fuel industry, in order to protect their islands in the face of climate change.

These are some of the amazing actions that took place across 12 of the Pacific Islands:

  • In Vanuatu they launched the Canoe Build Project with traditional dances, dialogue on cultural values of canoe building and inter island sailing, as well as a ceremony to allow the spirits of the High Chiefs to travel with the Pacific Climate Warriors.
  • In Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, The Warriors are already underway building the canoe, and are supported by the village of Enipein, Kitti who will show them the process of traditional canoe building.
  • Warriors in Tonga performed the Tongan Sipi Tau (war dance) and worked with wood carvers to begin their canoe building.
  • In Tokelau they called on the support of the people of Atafu, who are famous for building canoes
  • In Papua New Guinea, the Climate Warriors walked through Port Moresby and raised public awareness about Climate Change, the role of the Pacific Climate Warriors in the region and how citizens could support the movement.
350 Fiji Volunteers with a model of a traditional canoe

350 Fiji Volunteers with a model of a traditional canoe

 

The #StandUpForThePacific campaign is really an opportunity to involve many young people across the region in the climate movement. It is also a very good opportunity to have young people reconnect with various elements of their culture and traditions. In this case, the traditional art of Canoe Building.

This is just one way young people can stir up the cultural and traditional warrior spirit within them, take action and be part of the solution.

350 Fiji team after their Day of Action

 

Over the last few months, 350 Pacific Climate Warriors, have undergone training in leadership, climate change awareness and traditional understanding, to prepare them for the remainder of the Stand Up For The Pacific Campaign.

Countries that are part of the campaign include: Papua New Guinea, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands, Federated Sates of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu, Nauru, Kiribati and Fiji.

Young people showing their support for the #PacificWarrirosVoyage

Young people showing their support for the #PacificWarrirosVoyage

 

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