Connected Through The Water

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INDIGENOUS DELEGATION TO HAWAII: Native Youth from the Bay Area, and Southern CA converged in Oahu this August for 10 days. We were hosted by local charter school and organization Mana Maoli, participants took part in a cultural exchange celebrating their diverse tribal cultures through song, dance, educational workshops, and creating new music. Our goals for this exchange were cultural shar-ing, immersion, education, and understanding, centered around creating music influenced by the participants diverse backgrounds. We are grateful for our collaborators InterTribal Youth ITY, www.nativelikewater.org based in San Diego/Panama and our hosts Mana Maoli Schools www.manamaoli.org, operates 10 Hawaiian charter schools on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

InDIGenous DeLeGaTIon To HawaIIPhotos by SNAG Staff & Hilary Hacker

Pacific tonGuesPapahana Kua’Ola Farm

808 urban

Writing Workshop

Lo’i Workshop

Mural Tour

Na Kama KaiCanoe surfing

Ocean Safety Clinic Kaisers, Waikiki

Kumu WandaMae Pa’akea AkiuHula Workshop

SNAG Staff: When you first heard you were going to hawaii what did you anticipate?

Calina Lawrence: The invitation to Hawaii by SNAG magazine was an honor and one of the highlights of my whole life because I had never been but it had been a dream of mine, to go since I was a teenager. I loved the fact that it was for cultural purposes and not for tourism, that made it more exciting be-cause indigenous teachings across the board incorporate learning and experiencing the land of other cultures in the most traditional ways possible. I anticipat-ed the trip being very spiritual and transforming for all of us and an abundance of community building.

SS: Tell us one story about one of the workshop days you really enjoyed and why?

CL: One of my favorite workshops was making our own ‘one hano ihu’ (nose flute) with Uncle Calvin. This elder took a lot of time to tell the stories behind the significance of this sacred flute. We were able to understand its importance before we started carving out our own flutes and then learning where to place it to use the air from our nose. He explained that the air from our nose is the purest air that we exhale compared to our mouth, which is air that is tainted by our words that aren’t always pure. This fact was so beautiful and revealing to me, personally. I loved the whole workshop.

SS: How did seeing Hawaii style of schooling change your ideas on education?

CL: I went to a tribal high school that was a lot like a charter school in many ways, though not as strong as the cultural aspect of our Hawaiian brothers and sisters. It made me wish that our cultural schools could be as strong as theirs and that their commitment to teaching the children what teachings we’ve been able to preserve through colonization is so important. I wish our schools in the States could model Hawaiian charter schools with the language and the time allotted to singing and dancing. I really appreciated the sustainability that they included their students in and them being almost all the way off-grid, it shows that our indigenous teachings are what is going to save our planet in multiple ways so we have to be able to teach the youth using the education system.

SNAG Staff sat down with Indigenous Delegation to Hawai’i participant Calina Lawrence to ask a few questions about the journey and how it has shaped her life and work.

on the ainaInterview by SNAG StaffCalina Lawrence, 22, Suquamish Tribe

HakiPu’u LearninG CenterCultural Exchange

SS: Were there any profound similarities with your culture or moments when you felt connected culturally?

CL: The biggest similarity between our cultures was the power of storytelling and the use of oral histories to mark significant environmental times within our own territories. Also, our ocean going canoes that have been built for centuries by our people to travel by water. Every day contained moments that felt like water was the only thing that separates our cultures because it felt so similar to our protocols in the states.

SS: What were some of the moments that you will take with your for the rest of your life?

CL: The entire trip was life changing for me but I think being able to help at the Papahana Kalo farm was the most intimate way to connect with the land of Ha-waii and their creation stories! I appreciated exchanging gifts with the students at the schools and being able to leave different pieces of our cultures with them was a really great part of the trip. When we presented them with the mural that we worked on, they were so grateful and that moment was very powerful. I loved hula dancing and canoe surfing and jamming out, learning about the murals, all of it will be in my heart forever.

SS: Do you feel inspired to do other indigenous exchange work now?

CL: I absolutely feel inspired to continue engaging in as many cultural exchanges as I can! I feel that this may be the only way to travel to new places from now on. We have always been taught, in Northwest tribes, to embrace the local communities of the places we go - so it reassured me that it’s the most rewarding way to have the experiences. As a musician, knowing that I hope to tour reservations one day, I will make it a point to spend time with the youth and the leaders so that I can gain this intimacy with their lands and cultures - the trip to Hawaii was one huge influence that made me really passionate about this idea moving forward.

HAlau KU ManaCultural Exchange

Jam Sessions

Kanapila

mana meleMobile Recording

Exco Levi bringing in the vibes

Congo Ashanti Roy, of the Legendary group The CongosPhotos by SNAG Staff

Skip Marley, Ghetto Youths Crew Peace Fits Crew, Atreau and Sasha

Nahko Bear talking about undamming the Klamath

Marc Chavez of ITY and Army from the Virgin Islands Ciervo and Sister Bonnie Artist and Educator Sean Nash with Ras K’dee

Alerta Kamarada all the way from Colombia sits down with KMUD for an interview

Sylvie, Justin and friends spreading the love vibes

Winstrong and Obi of Intelligent RebelLion

REGGAE ON THE RIVER 2015This August at French’s Camp near Garberville, SNAG staff and Inter-tribal Youth spent the weekend hearing some of the worlds greatest reggae and world mu-sic artists, including Taurrus Riley, Steven Marley, Ce’cile, Katchafire, Collie Budz, Don Carlos, Alborosie, Ghetto Youths Crew, Army, Alerta Kamarada, Nahko and Medicine for the People, and more. For more info on Reggae on the River and ticket info for the 2016 festival visit www.reggaeontheriver.com

Ghetto Youth Crew Band warming it up

Hundreds of Youth in the crowd repping the culture Shout out to French’s Camp & Mateel Community Center

Tuff interviewing Nahko with Marc

Bay Area DJ Green B and Tiffany hanging backstage

Bassekou Kouyate & his band Ngoni Ba all the way from Mali speaking with interpreter on KMUD

Tuff Turner and Marc always finding the Nativesart in the back by NOA

Sister Ce’Cile telling em can you do the work

Alerta Kamarada ladies looking colorful

REGGAE ON THE RIVER & NAHKO BEAR

Story by: Tuff Turner, 15, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians

Reggae is a music filled with vibes that truly embody the feeling of love and serenity in one’s self. Native Like Wa-ter, linked with SNAG Magazine, and On Native Ground Media to cover the festival Reggae on the River held annually in Humboldt, California. Inparticular we were there to visit with one of Native America’s most import-ant emerging pop-folk stars, Nahko Bear from Nahko and Medicine for the people.Personally, it produced an inspiration that will further ones musical and personal limits. It brought home some new feelings and left a desire to broad-en ones artistic peace of mind. The Reggae on the River 4-Day Festival musical artists in the line-up all shared the same vibe and included reggae legends like The Congos, The Marleys, and Alborosie with interna-tional artists from all over the world. I believe that they share most of the same vibes. Whether it is the native Hawaiians, artists from Jamaica and Africa, or guests from South America and my hometown San Diego, they feel similar vibes for each other and their backgrounds.The stand out headliner was NahkoBear and Medicine for the people. Nahko and his band is blowing up and selling out venues and festivals na-

tion-wide right now. Their following is roots, mostly underground, and is led by an Apache African-Filipino musical freedom fighter, Nahko Bear. Nahko is ultra-effective in the current music scene. Nahko may very well be the most popular young Native American musical act out front right now. What would be called the new hipster/hip-pie/hip-hop movement is all ears and swaying. It may be hard to even see hip-hop connected to “hippie” or folk, however these days, its all going down and Nahko is rocking all for one. But what one feels more than anything is

Nahko’s heart. The more one listens, the more we know it is our story. Our story is of overcoming, flowing, and recovering. Its not even physical, its spiritual and healing of the heart.In a personal interview from Nahko Bear and Medicine for the People, Nahko shared his true feelings that were very intimate and direct from the heart. Nahko is a much different person then what one sees on stage. Nahko comments that “when I am on stage, I am ultra focused on the music and the experience. I have a great time. But, when I am off stage, life is to joke, laugh, and goof off”. When I goon stage, its serious. “I have been play-ing music since I was 6 years old. The music I am playing for Reggae on the

River, I have been doing for the last 3 years” Says Nahko. At the rate he is building the “Medicine Tribe (which he calls his fans)” his prolific words of love, struggle and forgiveness is being cheered on by all ethnic back grounds, including conscious Indigenous Peo-ple. Nahko’s power to sell out venues proves a point. “My music focus is on story ... the unfolding of you becom-ing.” “There is not just one message at all. They are very large concepts spread across the music we create.”Nahko continues, “We advocate kindness. The root of all our problems

is an issue of being nice to each other. When you are rooted in kindness, you can become compassionate, and you can become graceful with your com-passion. You can then treat people in a better way. Self-hatred and intertribal, inter-family feuding is indeed our big-gest enemy. Nahko believes in a new tribe, the “Medicine Tribe”“Who controls the water in your area?...there is so much history in each town.” As a mentor for organizations like EarthGuardians, Nahko believes in the youth he is leading. A youth himself, in his 20’s, Nahko is serious about helping his people and advocat-ing for our mother and urging all to join him. Nahko peforms for benefits across the nation against fracking, the

XXL Pipeline, and joins folks like Winona La Duke, Chief Phill Lane,and Neil Young in standing for theprotection of our natural resources and first nation rights.Before ending the interview, Nahko said “ many of you need to throw down your Cinnabuns and join movements like Justice or Else on October 10, 2015!” Nahko refers to the millions of people from all nations who marched in Washington D.C. for Justice or Else!There is nothing out there like that right now. Its good to be the messen-ger. Indeed, Nahko continues to be a young warrior and inspire youth through his music. Whether a hip-pie, hipster or hip-hoper, one can see Nahko as an example, an artist who provides a soundtrack to the prophecy fulfilled. It appears, that a love down and stance for justice, equality is athand. Nahko was personally my favor-ite performer and artist at Reggae. He truly gave me insight to my future and had me thinking in ways that might have seen obscure before. The love of everyone and the group I went with truly changed my perspective on life and the way I see my future. I would tell everyone to come and experience Reggae on the River for themselves, it is definitely a life-changing experience. I even already thought of a quote to tell my grandkids: “Yea, I went to Reggae for the first time when I wassixteen, and it definitely changed the way I see life and music. It has had a great affect on the way my life is today.”

“When you are rooted in kindness, you can become compassionate, and you can become graceful with

your compassion. You can then treat people in a better way. Self-hatred and intertribal, inter-family

feuding is indeed our biggest enemy.” - Nahko

Where do you live at in Hawaii, and what is your favorite surf spot?

CK: Where I live is my favorite surf spot, I grew up surfing this wave its called ponalihe, which translates to little bay, it’s a real family oriented beach, the wave gets really fun, a lot of times growing up we always challenge eachother to go surf these other more dangerous waves grow-ing up, but its also good to just go out with your family and friends, that’s my most favorite experience to be able to share surfing with my family and the community. Big island, Ponalihe, in Hilo on the eastside of the island is my home.

Surfing is more then a sport in Hawaii, it’s a sport but a lot of the sto-ries, theres stories about people surfing to the death, where the best surfer would live and the other surfer would die. In culture it’s a serious matter, but its also a way for people to elevate for social status, for you to display social status, and a lot of the hawaiian people are proficient even to this day in surfing. If you don’t surf its more rare then someone who doesn’t these days. Its pretty awesome to hear that other Native

people want to understand more about that, as native people we are so connected to our environment, I think the Hawaiian people would be interested in seeing what would be the equivalent to surfing to other cultures

Have you ever been in a surf championship?

CK: The biggest ever for me would be the Buffalo Keolana contest, for a Hawaiian I think its pretty special to be competing in that particular competition, but no world championship for me yet.

Have you ever had any close calls on the waves?

CK: At Makaha beach on the westside at the BuffaloKeolana big board contest (Buffalo Keolana was a well known big wave rider from Ha-waii), we had a close call luckily I came up kinda quickly, and the jet ski’s came and grabbed us, one of my friends hit his head so hard on the board that he got a minor concussion, and he was throwing up in the

water, so we had to get him to safety, and it was kinda of scary ordeal just this past winter, everyone that surfs knows there’s high risk in it, but there is also high reward so that’s what keeps you going back.

What advice would you tell to young people just starting out?

CK: Watch first, really learn not just about the waves, but learn about the currents, learn about the wind, learn about the different kinds of beaches, sand beaches, rock beaches, if there is rivers that flow out, if there’s differ-ent types of animals, sharks, turtles, whales, dolphins, eels, we have these sea urchins that live on the reef. Also its good to understand the coral, re-ally don’t just go out there to catch a wave, go out there to understand that space, because the more you understand that space, I was told, the better

surfer you will be. More importantly then a better surfer, you help that space grow to be the most healthy it can be, and when you become a part of that space you will become healthy too. Its really about trying to pro-tect it, and respect the ocean, don’t just go out there to catch the biggest or best wave, go out there with respect.

Have you ever surfed here in California?

CK: I actually enjoyed being up in norcal, I was there at ocean beach in SF this past february, it was pretty awesome, but cold. The waves were big, the water was beautiful, powerful waves and a lot of drama, SF was amazing, good surf up there. We went to ocean beach, and central coast, big sur and morra, the furthest north I went was to oregon a few years ago and that was the coldest water I have been in.

Interview by Tokala American Bear, 10, Lakota/Pomo/WialakiCLIFF KAPONO - WAVE RIDER

Terron K. Tapoof, 18, Northern Ute

I am from the Uintah & Ourray Reservation. It smells cool in the spring with he great mountains over looking you. The sun breathes hot siracha sauce in the summer so hot you need a lake of water to cool down like our lake at bottle hollow.The best thing about being an Indian is that we are unique. Our culture is different with each tribe, and the other best thing is having Native pride. The crazi-est thing I’ve ever seen is my homies. We always do crazy stuff like when we ran off the road very slowly in slow motion. I like my friends, the crazy stuff they and I do is why they are my friends. Water is pow-erful because it controls the air and feeds the earth. Gives life to plants and trees, the air we breathe.

Water hydrates the mind and body. In the mind and spirit, holy waters heal our thirst from sins, and gets rid of evil so you will never die of thirst. The last time I connected to the water is at the lake of bottle hollow. It was cold, so cold, but it was refreshing to be in the lake again now that winter was over. I could chill with my homies.

Tiffany Zufelt, 18, Ojibway/Turtle Mountain Chippewa

I am from a small town called Myton, Utah, popu-lation of 500. We have one gas station and a brand new pizza place. There also is an elementary school. Small little houses. There is an unmarked paved road. Around it smells clear and fresh. The best

thing about being Native is being able to be proud of who I am. Showing who I am and where I come from. Being able to teach other people and sharing my experiences. Being somewhat different and not being scared to show it. On my latest trip in San Francisco, we walked a long ways. Being from a super small town seeing so many people in one spot is crazy. I’m not used to walking so much and seeing so much in one day. Water is one of the things that helps us stay alive and keeps everything on this earth hydrated. you know when it rains, that it feels so good and fresh and clean, a feeling of a new fresh start. Cleaning of the bad things, and allowing the beautiful to show. Today I seen the ocean for the first time ever, which was an amazing experience, standing on the beach hearing the waves crash, be-

ing able to touch salt water. It gave me an amazing feeling.

Kinley Melook, 18, Ute/Navajo

I am from Neola Utah, a small town with moun-tains and pine trees. It is 30 minutes away from the reservation, farms all around with many animals. Best thing about being Indian is having a unique culture that I belong to and I am learning the histo-ry of. Having opportunities to do something more in life. The craziest thing I have seen is a herd of 50 buffalo chasing me and my little sisters, and my little sister ran up the hill and forgot her dog, and then she turned back and got her. Water is powerful because its the sense of life. Everyone needs water to live. Having control gives you the power to make a choice giving it to the people in need. It is import-ant to me to help the local tribe in the fish hatchery to keep up the population of fish in local lakes and ponds. Helping something grow from a tiny egg to a food source for a whole family to thrive on.

Brylie Sloan, 18, Northern Ute

I am from a huge family of 3 boys and 5 girls. I live in Fort Duchesne, Utah. Its just a tiny town, the air is so clean and pure. Water is powerful because it has so much strength behind it. Its like it never slows down and when it hits a dead end it finds a way through it and turns into something amazing. The last time I connected to the water was when I went wake boarding. I love how it makes time slow down, and its just you and the board and the water. When I am wake boarding it makes me relax and see how beautiful our world around us is. It also gives me time to think and relax, and to just be me. The best thing about being Native is the beauty that comes from everyone. No one is the same and there stories are all different. That’s what makes being Native amazing. Everyone has different thoughts and ideas

and I just love how people express it because it is truly unique and amazing. The craziest thing I ever seen was the day of graduation. Seeing all the people show up to support us was amazing. It was a crazy day but it was wonderful to see all my class-mates in there caps and gowns and knowing that we made it and achieved something so amazing in life, and knowing that all our work was worth it.

Tre Teton, 18, Eastern Shoshone

I am from the U&O Reservation, its hot boring and I spend most of my time the Ft. Duchesne gym, working on my dunking and other stuff like that. The best thing about being Native is… ball is life. The craziest thing I ever saw was when I was mobbing through white rocks and some drunk guy passed out behind a pick up truck and he got ran over, no lie. Water is powerful because it can bring life to plants and other things that need water to survive. The last time I connected to the water was when I took an ice bath for my legs after our first game in the state championship tournament, we won of course!

Caitlyn Root, 18, Mountain Ute

I am from Ft. Duchesne Utah, the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. It is so beautiful there. We have so many things to do. I love the Uintah Mountains. Its so pretty during spring, smells like russian olive trees. I don’t like the smell much its too sweet. The best thing about being Native is our pow wows, culture and fry bread. I love the pow wows, our biggest celebration is 4th of July Pow wow. I love our culture, its so pure and it makes sense to me. The fry bread is also really, really good. The craziest thing I have ever seen was my homies car after he got into a wreck. It was totaled and his ear got cut off. It was a car chase that ended really badly. Be we always have car chases on our rez. One person died, and my

homie is going to be locked up for a while.

Water is powerful because its so sacred. It keeps us, our animals, plants, everything alive. Mother earth gave us water and we have to be thankful for her. The last time I connected to the water was when I seen the ocean for the first time. It was beautiful. I could not imagine any thing so peaceful and relax-ing. I cannot get over how nice it was.

Anfernee Black, 18, Mountain Ute

I am from Roosevelt, Utah, a small town thats between Vernal and Duchesne. Simple town with simple people, boring. The best thing about being Indian is our culture is fun, and when our tribe helps with things that aren't paid yet, or that we cant pay that easily. The craziest thing I ever seen was two people were fighting and a rez dog came outta no-where and attacked them. Water is powerful because it brings life and helps maintain it. The last time I connected to the water was this morning when I took a shower and brushed my teeth.

China Limon, 18, Nothern Ute

I am from the Norhtern Ute Reservation. The weather varies, 10 minutes away you will be in a dry dusty desert, and 10 minutes later you can be by 2 rivers, and next to you green wet grass. It feels like home. The best thing about being an Indian is the knowledge and pride I get out of the com-munity. I am blessed to have my culture and have those around me to help teach me the ways. Waters is powerful because it sustains life. There is no life without water, no president, no grass, no cows, no you and me. The last time I connected to the water was when I went on the 4.5 mile walk to eat burri-tos and see murals. I’ve never been so thankful for water, I was so thirsty.

FORT DUCHESNE UTE - A GLIMPSE INTO THE WATER

OAK FLAT STORY

PROTECTING SACRED APACHE OAK FLAT FROM FOREIGN COAL MINING

This one appears headed for a 12-round title bout as the San Carlos Apache tribe continues its battle with Resolu-tion Copper Co. over the issue of sacred land at Oak Flats. The mining company wants to get started on its $61.4 billion operation. Tribal opposition to prevent that from happening is gathering strength.While snowballs are not likely Hell or in Arizona, the latter may be disproving that theory as organized opposition con-tinues to grow larger aimed at keeping sacred tribal lands just that, sacred and tribal.“What once was a struggle to protect our most sacred site is now a battle,” said current tribal chairman Terry Rambler.“I’m overwhelmed by the increasing support we’re getting across the country,” said Wendsler Nosie Sr., former tribal chairman and protest organizer in announcing Round Two of the battle. “This is war, not in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense, with the focal point being Washington where we’re trying to repeal the underhanded way this land transfer was handled. Tribal governments are a big part of solving this puzzle, unifying their respective peoples to see the ugliness involved here and protesting against it. What we’re doing is working.”Back in February, 2015, 300 protestors held a weekend-long Gathering of Nations Holy Ground Ceremony at the Oak Flats Campground. After most of the attendees had showed their support and departed, a core group set up an encampment at Chich’il Bildagotell, digging in for the long haul.“We are organized as a spiritual mission with Apache indig-enous roots. Phase II is maintaining occupation here for seven years,” said Apache Stronghold Media Liaison Laura Medina in a statement. “We are building a new path that is different from the normal ideas of social change.”“Living at the site is like coming home,” Nosie said. “The whole environment of this place brings spirituality and

turns doubters into supporters. Call it ‘occupation’ if you will, but the right words are that we are coming home. The system and Resolution Copper may not know it, but this is a protracted struggle, and if we stay true to task, we will win. We’ve created a fire that cannot be extinguished, and while it becomes scary that we don’t know what tomorrow will be like, we are not going to vacate this area.”Another All Nations Spiritual Gathering is sched-uled for the weekend of May 30–31. Native singers, artists and guest speakers will hold forth on Satur-day, with a blessing ceremony, Apache Mountain Spirit Dancers, and Christian groups joining tribal protestors in a “religion-supporting-religion” gather-ing on Sunday.“These two days are meant to renew our movement to join together in repealing the greatest sin that Senator John McCain perpetuated when he sup-ported this land swap rider attached to a must-pass bill approved by Congress,” said Noisie.

San Carlos Apache Leader Seeks Senate Defeat of Copper Mine on Sacred Land.The Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conser-vation Act gave 2,400 acres of Apache sacred land to the global mining entity whose Plan of Opera-tions would dig a mile-wide hole 7,000 feet deep in search of copper. Resolution Copper’s plan admits only that “the area might be subject to adverse effects from Project activities.”“We’re fighting a multibillion dollar company and Congress, so we’re facing power and money and influence,” Nosie noted.Skirmishes abound behind the scenes, on both sides.“It’s a strategic war, and we are rallying our sup-porters so that everyone will have a specific job in this nationwide fight to make repeal happen,” said Nosie. “I’m being monitored like crazy, every move I make, so I need to stay a step ahead of the oppo-sition. Chairman Rambler and I have already met with tribal leaders and religious groups through-

out the country urging them to pass resolutions to support our repeal efforts. Everyone is getting on the same page, and there’s a growing sense of excite-ment in Indian country.”Separate from this effort is another group (Chir-icahua Apache Ndee Nation) that is also pushing litigation. Michael Paul Hill, describing himself as a spiritual activist who broke away from the Apache Stronghold, said his loosely formed organization plans to file injunctive lawsuits from the county level up to the federal court level.“We’ll use as many legal avenues as we can to re-move Resolution Copper from the land,” Hill said.“We need to make sure our collective voices are being heard,” said Rambler, noting that activity is occurring over more than one front.“There are a lot of main messages, but down the road we’ll all be pulling together for a repeal of this law,” Nosie said.

Story by: Lee Allen

13TH TELESCOPE HALTED BY MAUNA KEA PROTECTORSAND SUPPORTERSStory By: Imani Altemus-Williams In the early morning of March 23, 2015, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner Lanaki-la Mangauil heard that construction of the world’s largest optical telescope had begun atop the Hawaiian sacred mountain Mauna Kea. He immediately spread the word to the communi-ty, who had been keeping vigilant watch, and ran up the summit to stop the desecration of this wahi pana, a place of cultural significance and practice. Others followed Lanakila’s lead, however, nobody expected that this would spark a global movement to protect one of our plan-et’s sacred sites.Canada, China, India, Japan and America are all invested in a $1.4 billion project to build a 30-meter telescope, known as TMT — short for Thirty Meter Telescope — atop Mauna Kea, which means White Mountain in Hawaiian. The shield volcano stands at 13,796 feet tall and is one million years old. When measured from base to peak, it surpasses the height of Mount Everest, making it the world’s tallest mountain. Even though the summit already houses a dozen other telescopes, the University of Hawai’i agreed to lease the land for the con-struction of this record-breaking build. Resistance against the project has been ongoing for years, but the recent onset of development has ignited a movement that is uniting the peo-ple of Hawai’i on all islands and abroad. Many say they haven’t seen civil resistance like this since the fight to reclaim Kaho’olawe, where young Hawaiians occupied the island that was

being used as a U.S. military training ground and bombing range in 1976.For several months, people referring to themselves as the “Mauna Kea protectors” — instead of protest-ers —staged an encampment on the mountain to blockade construction. They engaged in traditional ceremony, poetry, protest song and particularly dance, as people from around the world traveled to the city of Hilo on the island of Hawai’i for the Merry Monarch Hula Festival. Hula groups

and musicians traveled up to the summit to dance, sing and chant for the gods and goddesses of the mountain. Thirty-one protectors were arrested for preventing work vehicles from getting to their sites. Although they were charged with trespassing and disobedience, they maintain with conviction that they have done everything with aloha, which loosely translates to love, peace and compassion.All people who joined the encampment were expected to abide by Kapu Aloha, a system where each protector could only express aloha while on the mountain.“We are in a place where there is no turning back,” said Hawaiian cultural practitioner and Mauna Kea protector Pua Case. “We will not divide. We will not

hurt one another. But we will stand as our Mauna stands, with a pure heart.”The protectors say they’re not against science or TMT itself, but that they don’t want it built on Mauna Kea. Hawaiians are known for their scien-tific knowledge, particularly ancient star navigation. The Polynesian Voyaging Society, for instance, is currently sailing one of Hawaii’s pride and joys — the Hōkūle’a, a double-hulled canoe — around the globe and is bridging indigenous and modern

science. Native Hawaiian groups support many sci-entific efforts, but they understand that Mauna Kea is not the appropriate place for it. This movement is gaining national and interna-tional support, particularly by indigenous and First Nation peoples. Demonstrations have been held across the globe from Australia to Canada to China to Saudi Arabia and throughout the continental United States. They have extended their support because they are aware that sacred sites are being violated around the world, and they understand the significance of protecting them. Chief Arvol Look-ing Horse, a spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota nations and the 19th generation keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe released

a statement of solidarity. He likened indigenous sacred sites to a church or temple, and illustrated the importance of protecting Mauna Kea for all people by saying, “We, the spiritual leaders and medicine people, know that the sacred site is part of all of our lives.”According to 17-year-old protector Kay Ala Ka-haulelio, “The sacredness of Mauna Kea is beyond what we can comprehend in the human realm. It is so sacred because it is the portal and the closest

temple where we can connect with our akua [god].”

In Hawaiian genealogy, the mountain is revered as the piko, or center of one’s being, for Hawai’i Island. It holds burial grounds and is a place where people scatter the ashes of their loved ones. In a press release, the protectors explained that the summit is also the domain of Hawaiian gods and goddesses.The water in Lake Waiau atop the mountain is used for ceremonies and healing. People fear that con-taminants from the construction, such as sewage, mercury, diesel, ethylene and glycol, which are used in quite large amounts, could flood their freshwater supply as the mountain feeds the largest aquifer on

Young protectors gather in support of the protests. (Facebook / Protect Mauna Kea)

the island of Hawai’i.In a message to Gov. David Ige, Mauna Kea pro-tector Kamahana Kealoha said, “Consider the legal ramifications of denying kanaka [human beings], and all Hawai’i citizens, the basic humanity and protections securing the absolute safety of Hawai’i Island’s main freshwater aquifer, a resource essential to all life.” A morning gathering at the encampment on April 22 to share life experience and knowledge. (Face-book / Protect Mauna Kea)Development atop Mauna Kea could result in dismal long-term effects for those living on Hawai’i Island. Expansion without concern for its impact on the entire archipelago is in conflict with the indigenous Hawaiian culture. Ancient Hawaiians lived sustainably through the ah-upua’a, or land division system — a communal model that equi-tably managed land, resources and work. Land division ranged from the mountaintops to the sea.“What often happens in the summits of Mauna Kea will affect everything that happens below, all the way to the coastline, including our oceans,” explained Julie A.K. Leialoha, a biologist and natural area specialist.All resources were managed as a whole because there was the understanding that what happens high on the mountains will affect the ground and oceans below.Western scientists consider Mauna Kea an ideal location to see 13 billion light years away, but the Hawaiian community insists that an 18-story tele-scope on top of their sacred mountain violates both cultural and environmental laws in Hawai’i. There

are eight criteria that need to be enforced in order to attain a permit in a conservation area. The pro-tectors claim the state Board of Land and Natural Resources did not follow these standards when they granted permission for TMT to be built on Mauna Kea. A lawsuit was filed in the Intermediate Court of Appeals and the 3rd Circuit Court, arguing that TMT did not meet the regulatory demands. Several state legislative audits and the TMT environmental impact statement have found “the past actions on Maunakea have resulted in substantial, significant, and adverse impacts” to the mountain’s cultural, biological, and geological resources.

On Dec. 2, 2015, a Hawaii Supreme Court rule invalidated the construction permit. The permit was revoked because the state Board of Land and Natural Resources issued it prior to holding a con-tested case hearing that included opponents of the project. The case will be sent back to the board for a new hearing. For the project to proceed, the board will have to approve another permit. Officials want the construction of the telescope in motion by April 2018. In response to the Supreme Court ruling, a group of people who claim to be “concerned about the future of astronomy on the mountain” introduced bills HB 2712 and SB 3020. The bills undercut land use regulations, eliminate the contest-ed hearing process, and authorize counties to permit

and advance certain science and technology projects that would not normally be approved.In January 2016, TMT Executive Director Ed Stone revealed that the project’s board of directors has de-cided to select other sites outside of Hawai’i in case the telescope is unable to be built. This movement is about more than fighting against the desecration of this sacred mountain, it has become a platform for native Hawaiians to speak about Hawaiian independence as well. Another con-siderable argument in the courts is that the nation of Hawai’i is still under illegal occupation by the U.S. government, and the Hawaiian Kingdom still exists.

On November 28, 1843, the Hawaiian Kingdom was recognized as an independent sovereign nation by joint proclamation from Great Britain and France. In 1893, a U.S. marine’s armed coup d’etat overthrew the Hawai-ian Kingdom government. Despite local resistance, the islands were seized five years

later for strategic military use during the Span-ish-American War.As the protectors stated in a press release, “Protec-tors of the mountain call upon all countries involved to honor the continued independence of Hawai’i that America has refused to acknowledge for the last 122 years while illegally occupying Hawai’i in violation of the laws of occupation.” If the state of Hawai’i is illegal, then all agreements between the state and TMT investors are illegal as well.Since the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Native Hawaiians have endured the desecration of their land, culture, spirituality and way of life. But through their actions to protect Mauna Kea, they are saying, “enough is enough.”

“The sacredness of Mauna Kea is beyond what we can comprehend in the human realm. It is so sacred because it is the portal and the closest temple where we can connect with our akua [god].”

- 17-year-old protector Kay Ala Kahaulelio

FREE WEST PAPUAStory by: Francesca Rex-Horoi Artwork by: Ona Filloy

West Papua has been called one of history’s ‘dirtiest secrets’ and some have gone as far as to say it is the Palestine of the Pacific.We are sometimes given a perspective of global conflicts from the media, and it plagues our televisions, newspapers, news websites, and social media platforms. We watch these wars unfold in little snippets so far removed from the reality.When someone says “West Pap-ua”, one may not conjure quite the same imagery but perhaps a vague idea that something not quite right is happening there. Some may not even know where that is, or its significance.The media has no place in West Papua, you will not even see the minor details we are spared of Palestine. But why? What is In-donesia hiding that must be kept so terribly silent? Slowly, people in different parts of the world have been uncovering a bloody veil of violence and gross human rights abuses that will not reach your television or national news because in West Papua jour-nalists face some of the strictest media laws.I have been asked to write about

my journey as a protestor and advocate for West Papua in New Zealand. To write about my journey seems in vain compared to the stories of the indigenous West Papuan people who have suffered a 63-year-long occupa-tion and oppression by Indone-sia. However, let me share with you how my discovery of the West Papuan conflict has im-pacted my life and by doing so, I hope it impacts yours too. It was only last year that I stumbled upon the very dark, unsettling, and suspiciously well-hidden agenda being carried out in our very own Pacific backyard.At the time, a third year stu-dent at Victoria University in Wellington, I was often open to public seminars to take my mind off my studies. I received an invi-tation to a public talk hosted by the Peace Movement Aoteroa. Not knowing a thing about this movement, let alone the topic or the speakers involved, I took up the invitation from a beloved scholar and mentor, Dr Teresia Teiawa, who recommended that Melanesian students come along if we were available.Before going, I knew little about

PROTECT MOUNT TAYLOR

FREE WEST PAPUA

West Papua. I had seen the Morning Star flag (West Papua’s flag of independence) but knew nothing about what it represented. A Solomon Islander, who lived in Fiji for 10 years, I had no idea that what I would witness that evening would change the course of my actions forever as a young Melanesian woman with a great affinity for my people and heritage.I arrived to a small gathering of people at a church and a flyer outlined that the speakers were two exiled West Papuan journalists and free-dom fighters, Victor Mambor and Paula Makabori, whom had now been granted asylum overseas.As the talk ensued, the geogra-phy and history of West Papua was explained and I began to gain a better understanding. But I wasn’t prepared for what came next. Footage was shown of a public beating of a West Papuan man by Indonesian police in front of his family, which had been captured in stealth by the camera phone of a local witness. I covered my eyes and looked through my fingers, unable to visually consume the entire screen.Glancing sideways, I caught my brother’s eyes glued to the screen in horror.Why were they doing this to my people? I wasn’t going to take this moment for granted.At the end of the talk, I lifted a shaky hand and asked:“I am a Solomon Islander. What can I do as a stu-dent in Wellington to help the West Papuan peo-ple?”Victor and Paula responded: “Do something, any-thing to help spread the word of West Papua. You live in a country where you can.”

A wide-eyed woman turned to me and gave me two of her business cards – she was a Minister of Parlia-ment representing the Green Party of Aoteroa New Zealand, the only political party to consistently have West Papua on their agenda in the NZ Parliament.Long story short, by the time I walked out of that room, something in me and around me had changed. It was a self-realisation that I was uncon-

scious to this whole issue, but a feeling of empower-ment seeing two West Papuans dedicating their lives to spreading the word in a country that hails itself on being democratic. Why wasn’t anything being done by New Zealand, I wondered?That was where it all started. I immediately be-gan researching West Papua, so much that it took over the research I was doing on my own studies. I quickly discovered that the kinds of abuses I had witnessed on the television that evening were not uncommon in West Papua. In fact, they were hap-

pening daily, if not hourly. I encountered scholarly articles that document some of the most obscene crimes against humanity I have ever read.To think that the majority of our Pacific Island nations enjoy decades of independence, with annual celebrations to commemorate this freedom while the shackles of a vicious colonial regime continue to be tied around the feet of our neighbours made me ill.

Samoa became independent in 1962 – the year West Papua was lost to Indonesia. Today, Samoa enjoys 63 years of inde-pendence. Today, West Papua should be celebrating their independence with them.Instead, the indigenous West Papuan people are routinely subject to physical and psychological torture, murder, public humiliation, slaughter, rape, suppression of freedom of speech and expression, and all of this done with impunity. I have no regrets for the time I spent learning about West Papua.My heart still beats rapidly in anger and tears escape me when I see images and videos from West Papuan activist plat-forms on social media.The solidarity I feel in this cause is one that not only runs through my blood as a Melanesian, but as a human being observ-

ing such evil. I was trying to come to terms with the fact that the atrocities of humanity are rife

in our own Pacific neighbourhood yet no curriculum in the world would teach you that West Papua is cur-rently going through what two Sydney scholars have termed a “slow motion genocide”.The courage found in Paula and Victor’s story has resulted in activism for the West Papuan conflict in any shape or form. The aim was to educate and prompt others into action. At first I wasn’t sure how but Teresia reminded us all that protesting and activism is not about you and me as individuals, it’s about community involvement and spreading the

word on behalf of those who do not have or know freedom. We must stand together, not alone; it began to make more sense.Now, we are invited to participate in a number of protests by the Green Party of NZ, led by the wide-eyed woman who gave me her card that night, Catherine Dela-hunty.Many may ask: “What do those protests even do? It seems like people stand outside embassies and Parliament with signs and flags – what difference does it make?” and all I say to them is Paul and Vic-tor’s words to me: “Do something, anything. You live in a place where you can” – and what difference am I making if I sit at home waiting for the world to change? The worst thing you can do is nothing.Protesting for West Papua became a big part of a small commu-nity. I am an active member of the Youngsolwara Poneke group which was formed after some of our members united with the We Bleed Black and Red campaign in Madang Province in PNG.We have extended our network to friends and family – all of whom refuse to sit back in silence at the hands of our Melanesian brothers and sisters. Our most recent protest was held with the highly respected Wellington Hunter’s Rugby League team. The march lead us through the suburb of Kelburn to the Indonesian Embassy, and amongst us were athletes, scholars, children

and hip hop artists. Many success-ful sports people and artists are followed religiously by society and the media in general and as people of influence, they have a strategic advantage to extend the word to a wide audience.Following the protest, Kevin Mealamu of the All Blacks tweet-ed about #WestPapua, singer Aradhna flooded her social media channels with solidarity messages. Radio New Zealand has been a loyal supporter of our cause and is present at the majority of protests we participate in having long stood by Catherine Delahunty of the Green Party. In April, I was flown to Auckland for a TV interview with TV2’s Tagata Pasifika on behalf of myactivist group.To think that my protesting has been in vain would be defying what is clearly evident progress in edu-cating a wider audience. As pro-testors, we are not always taking to the streets, we learn and recite West Papuan songs and sayings, we write and share poetry, spoken word, and always invite friends and family to learn about the issue. We must not only save but savour the beautiful culture of the forgotten bird of paradise, as it is being unlawfully erased from the Earth, day by day.

Signs of strong support for The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (Facebook / Free West Papua Campaign)

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