Indigenous groups to gather at Victoria-hosted conference
Indigenous people from developing states of the South Pacific, members of First Nations across Canada and other delegates will be in Victoria in September to discuss the state of the Pacific at the Pacific Networking Conference.
During the week-long event, representatives will discuss concerns about environmental sustainability, human rights, cultural strength, health, globalization and socio-economics.
The conference culminates with the One Wave Festival, a public event with concerts, performances, presentations and discussion panels.
The conference and festival are hosted by the Pacific Peoples’ Partnership. Based in Victoria, it is Canada’s only non-governmental organization devoted to working in solidarity with peoples of Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia in the South Pacific. The organization celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
This year, the event will be funded in part by the Victoria Foundation.
“For 40 years we have been devoted to connecting Canada and the peoples of the South Pacific to promote their aspirations for peace, justice, environmental sustainability and community development,” said April Ingham, executive director of the organization.
“Our events and programs provide opportunities to learn together through showcasing best practices and for opening dialogue and exchange. The mutual learning and relationship-building lead to increased Pacific solidarity and sustainability."
The theme of this year’s conference is Rising Tides: Our Lands, Our Waters, Our Peoples, with discussion to include land stewardship, governance, gender equality, strengthening of arts and cultural practices.
More than 600 people are expected to take part in the Pacific Networking Conference, cultural exchanges and regional tours.
Some of the leaders in the conference will take the opportunity to tour the country after the conference ends.
“This is the cornerstone of our work,” said Ingham. “To have more people hear their voices.”
She said the organization also works with young people, ages 15 to 30, to pair them with mentors for intergenerational learning, networking and strategic planning.
The One Wave Festival will feature the talent of local youth and the people of the West Coast. It includes diverse art forms, such as poetry, the spoken word, dance, Coast Salish drumming, hip-hop jams, art exhibitions, and live painting and carving.
The conference runs Sept. 22 to 25.
The free arts and cultural festival, which is open to the public, takes place noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 26 in Centennial Square (beside Victoria city hall).
For more information, go to pacificpeoplespartnership.org.