Meet our Future Ancestors 2023

When you bring a diverse group of passionate young people together, magic happens!
Our Future Ancestors Program took place over 3 days and brought together youth with roots in Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Nauru, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Aotearoa and Federated States of Micronesia. Now calling Meanjin (Brisbane) home, these Pasifika youth shared a powerful weekend of refining their leadership skills, storytelling, knowledge sharing, making meaningful connections, reflection and building momentum to create change.

Bauro Tebano Lambourne

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"I was interested in joining this program as I wanted to improve my leadership skills to be able to go back home and help empower my fellow youths to have a voice and to let their voices be heard. I also wanted to broaden my network of like-minded young leaders from the Pasifika region and share and exchange knowledge and experiences to learn from each other and collaborate on issues that matter to our youth."

Eirububwin Tréannah Mirra Dabwido

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"I am passionate about my faith and relationship with God, my culture and traditional customs and dancing from my culture and my Nauruan community."

Falima Walekwate

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“My people are from Langalanga Lagoon, Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands and also i-Kiribati people in the Western Province of Solomon Islands. I am passionate about helping my people and want to be able to offer solutions for the problems/challenges that my people are facing. "

Hyram Tere Moana Alofipo

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"I want to be an example to my younger brothers who, like many other young Pacific Islanders, work in labouring jobs and don’t see that there are other career options for us. A year ago, I took a leap of faith and changed careers after working in warehousing for 5 years and I am so grateful to now be working in a job I am passionate about. I know that being apart of this program is a great opportunity for me to grow, and I hope that through it I am able to uplift and inspire the Pasifika diaspora community in Logan that I grew up."

Jeffrey Gorogo

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I am a proud Aboriginal and Papua New Guinean. Both of my cultures are rich in history and traditions. I want to be able to use my artstyle in unfamilar spaces to share stories and life lessons that have been able to get me out of dark and overbearing experiences.

Kimberley Mekea

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“The thing I value most about being from the Pacific is my culture, traditions and customs. I take pride in being a Melanesian women and never shy from repping my roots."

Mijica Rose Lus

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“I want to be one of those people that is willing to step up and out for my Pacific Island ‘family’ and region. To represent our values and perspective in Australia and the world, for many to see that ‘the Pacific way is truly one that is giving in love."

Osanna Harris

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"Since becoming a mother, I am more worried about the future of Nauru as the land has been deteriorating due to strip mining and poor planning. I am worried about my son’s future and the future generation of Nauru. I am passionate about learning about land rehabilitation, tree restoration, re-vegetation, land management and improvement."

Rebecca Masani

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"I currently work as a disability worker and enjoy talking and caring for others. I feel that the Pasifika community is facing a Youth crisis and I want to offer solutions to help my community."

Sara Osho Cave

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"I believe that politics plays a crucial role in shaping our society and creating a better future for ourselves and future generations. As a young person and a Pacific Islander, I am aware of the challenges and barriers that exist in our community, and I want to use this opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective advocate for my community."

Tuifaasisina Tapenaga Reupena Polataivao

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"What motivated me to apply is the potential to connect with and build connections with Pasefika young people here and across the Pacific in ways which we can genuinely connect and work with the political systems in place in our current countries. I have previously worked with a political party in Australia and have seen ways in which we could be exploited and so I want to make sure and ensure that if we do have young people willing to put their hands up in this arena, that they have the support and advice needed."

Tiana Hippolite

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"Since stepping into a leadership role in the Pasifika Women's Alliance, I have been involved in opportunities for lobbying government to review and commit to policies that align with Pacific Peoples best interests. I am in the hopes that this program will further my understandings in the political realm so that I may continue to advocate for Pacific rights here in Australia."

How can you get involved?

Watch this space! Details of our next program will be shared here.

If you would like to collaborate, please contact us: admin@futureancestors.com.au