I have been privileged to have work with some amazing artists and organizers throughout the Solwara. The youth led artist collective known as Youngsolwara are regional leaders in Suva, Fiji in raising awareness and developing critical consciousness on issues such as deep sea mining, banning nuclear testing, decolonizing West Papua, and climate justice through art actions and political education workshops. I was lucky enough to become a member and mentor within this collective of inspiring visual artists, spoken word artists and singers. We curated an exhibition on issues facing the Blue Pacific in Suva in 2018, we then brought those works to Honiara to engage in artist dialogue with artists in Solomon Islands during the Melanesian Arts Festival. But most importantly, we challenged the existence of the Indonesian presence at the festival, as they continue their ongoing genocide of the West Papuan people.
The Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance (MILDA), fights for self-determination and the protection of the lands and waters of Melanesia, through direct action, organizing, peopleʻs movements, and policy. I was humbled when I was approached in 2021 to develop a website to highlight their work since 2009. MILDA represents what it means to try and decolonize and maintain your cultures in world surrounded by unchecked racial capitalism.
One of the most important collaborations was born out of my friendship with spoken word artist and climate justice activist, Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner. I was invited to work with you from her non-profit organization, Jo-Jikum, which works with you to use art as a tool for advocacy and social change. Jo-Jikum collaborates with visual artists, poets, performance artists, musicians and podcast creators to help Marshallese youth tell their own stories. I was fortunate enough to facilitate a photography workshop for Jo-Jikum in 2018, that developed into an exhibition that was shown at the close of the National Climate Dialogues. Jo-Jikum was among the first youth led climate justice organizations in Oceania and remains a leader in youth advocacy.
To learn more, check out their sites:
The Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence Alliance (MILDA), fights for self-determination and the protection of the lands and waters of Melanesia, through direct action, organizing, peopleʻs movements, and policy. I was humbled when I was approached in 2021 to develop a website to highlight their work since 2009. MILDA represents what it means to try and decolonize and maintain your cultures in world surrounded by unchecked racial capitalism.
One of the most important collaborations was born out of my friendship with spoken word artist and climate justice activist, Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner. I was invited to work with you from her non-profit organization, Jo-Jikum, which works with you to use art as a tool for advocacy and social change. Jo-Jikum collaborates with visual artists, poets, performance artists, musicians and podcast creators to help Marshallese youth tell their own stories. I was fortunate enough to facilitate a photography workshop for Jo-Jikum in 2018, that developed into an exhibition that was shown at the close of the National Climate Dialogues. Jo-Jikum was among the first youth led climate justice organizations in Oceania and remains a leader in youth advocacy.
To learn more, check out their sites: