Domestic Programs
DOMESTIC PROGRAMS
At Pacific Peoples’ Partnership, we work to create positive change through meaningful relationships and dialogue with Indigenous and Pacific Islander communities. Our programming focuses on climate change, gender equity and knowledge sharing.
We work in collaboration with our partner organizations to create programming and event spaces where people can engage with the process of decolonization and ongoing healing: interacting with Indigenous culture and protocols, confronting colonial biases, building community, and learning about and supporting Indigenous sovereignty and resurgence with the invitation to begin to heal their own relationship to culture and ancestry.
Learn more about One Wave Gathering, our annual celebration of Pacific and Indigenous arts and culture held on lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) territory, our interactive French-language curriculum, FrancOcéan Pacifique: Exploring the Water Continent that Connects Us, and media led by local Indigenous peoples, including Joan Morris: Heart of Chatham Island. We offer opportunities for youth involvement, public education and cultural programming, and work in partnership with diverse organizations across Canada.
Stories of Resilience is a program borne by youth from the Pacific Islander diaspora and local Indigenous nations desiring to create and share meaningful stories during challenging times. This youth-led, multimedia program provided young Indigenous and South Pacific leaders with skills training and opportunities to publish and share their stories, while learning from and giving back to their communities.
Participants came from many different nations and backgrounds, including nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth), Anishinaabe, lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen), Métis, Cree, Kwakwaka’wakw, and the South Pacific island nation of Palau. Films were gathered and shared by participants in “Our Stories, Our Land,” a twenty-day gallery exhibit during PPP’s annual One Wave Gathering in September 2021.
More information coming soon!
In solidarity with Tonga Women and Children’s Crisis Centre (WCCC), Support for Aboriginal Graduate Education (SAGE), and the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE) at the University of Victoria, PPP held A Pacific Healing Circle on March 25, 2021. A virtual summit on gender-based violence (GBV), A Pacific Healing Circle facilitated knowledge-sharing between Indigenous Peoples in Canada and Pacific Islanders, raised awareness about GBV and culturally appropriate interventions, as well as created a space for a multidisciplinary, multicultural and multi-generational community of Indigenous leaders, academics, community organizers and creative thinkers to explore critical issues surrounding women’s rights, gender equity, and GBV.
Women’s rights activist, facilitator and filmmaker ‘Ofakilevuka (‘Ofa) Guttenbeil-Likiliki, Fijian human rights and democracy advocate Tura Lewai, counsellor, advocate and trainer on issues of gender, violence against women, and human rights Wilma Eileen, Raven and Sage Lacerte of Lake Babine First Nations, Lorelei Williams of the Skatin/Sts Ailes First Nations, and ANSWER Women’s Drum Group were all featured panelists.
In solidarity with Tonga Women and Children’s Crisis Centre (WCCC), Support for Aboriginal Graduate Education (SAGE), and the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE) at the University of Victoria, PPP held A Pacific Healing Circle on March 25, 2021. A virtual summit on gender-based violence (GBV), A Pacific Healing Circle facilitated knowledge-sharing between Indigenous Peoples in so-called Canada and Pacific Islanders, raised awareness about GBV and culturally appropriate interventions, as well as created a space for a multidisciplinary, multicultural and multi-generational community of Indigenous leaders, academics, community organizers and creative thinkers to explore critical issues surrounding women’s rights, gender equity, and GBV.
Women’s rights activist, facilitator and filmmaker ‘Ofakilevuka (‘Ofa) Guttenbeil-Likiliki, Fijian human rights and democracy advocate Tura Lewai, counsellor, advocate and trainer on issues of gender, violence against women, and human rights Wilma Eileen, Raven and Sage Lacerte of Lake Babine First Nations, Lorelei Williams of the Skatin/Sts Ailes First Nations, and ANSWER Women’s Drum Group were all featured panelists.
Together / As One Film Festival, a virtual film festival of Pacific-based Indigenous stories, ran from October 23-November 24, 2020 and featured a variety of films that navigate similar themes and issues facing Indigenous and Pacific Islander communities.
Feature films included One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk (Isuma Productions), Elders (Typcast Entertainment), SGAAWAAY K’UUNA Edge of the Knife (Niijang Xyaalas Productions), Yah’Guudan: Respect for all Living Beings (short), MOANANUIĀKEA: One Ocean One People One Canoe (Paliku Documentary Films), Take (As If Productions), VAI (Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions) and Now is the Time (National Film Board of Canada Prdocutions).
Red Tide is a climate-justice gathering organized by and for Indigenous and Pacific Islander youth, and will be hosted by Ahousaht First Nation this year. More info coming soon!
One Wave Gathering (OWG) is an award-winning, family-friendly event series that celebrates Indigenous and South Pacific cultures, art, and knowledge. This month-long multi-faceted program is developed in collaboration with Indigenous and South Pacific diaspora leaders, Elders, artists, activists, and educators. Held on lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen territory), increasing public knowledge of local Indigenous teachings, cultures, history, and lands is integral to the program. Since 2008, OWG has provided opportunities to use the arts to build meaningful relationships across cultures.
By working closely with Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, Elders, and cultural advisors from across Vancouver Island Nations and South Pacific diaspora, we create welcoming and authentic experiences for members of the public to learn, grow, and contribute positively to the community. Each OWG event features cultural presentations, interactive public art, community building, and opportunities for dialogue. Past events have included exhibitions, film screenings, performance art, concerts, art installations (including the Witness Blanket, Tetrahedron, and the award-winning 2017 Longhouse project), as well as youth residencies, talking circles, and signature cultural presentations and educational NGO villages usually held in Centennial Square.
At OWG, artists, speakers, and leaders share stories through song, dance, theatre, traditional food, and art. One Wave is a vision articulated by many voices and an opportunity for guests of all ages to learn and interact with Pacific knowledge keepers and artists.
Explore past projects:
FrancOcéan Pasifique: Exploring the Water Continent that Connects Us
https://youtu.be/KfHVzOt8AUU
Joan Morris: Heart of Chatham Island
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEX9-rMz5T8&t=1s
For more information, please contact us.
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