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Talofa lava | Ran Annim | Halo yupla!
We often hear that youth are the leaders of tomorrow, however, the decisions made by world leaders today will severely impact the future of young people. Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia is home to one of the largest populations of Pacific peoples but very rarely are our people, let alone young people, represented at tables of decision making.
More recently, we have seen a shift in this.
But what happens when we gain a seat at the table and don't have the skills to best navigate new spaces?
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The Future Ancestors Program's story does not begin at the table, rather, on the noos (mat) - a familiar space to talanoa/ tok stori (dialogue) and highlight the value of community-driven solutions. Sharing a passion for better representation of Pacific people and fostering genuine connections, Mary, Mikey and Iree were driven to create a culturally safe space that offers young people practical tools and training, cultural exchange and opportunities to network with like-minded people.
As Mary says, "your network is your net worth and we only catch fish when the net works."
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Genuine relationship building is and always has been the core of our heart work.
When we allow ourselves the time, space and opportunity to be vulnerable, tok stori and take up space, we create social change in the most organic and meaningful way.
This is what change looks like for us.
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- Mary, Mikey & Iree
Our Values
The Future Ancestors Program is underpinned by these values:
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Èoreni | Culture
(Chuukese, Federated States of Micronesia)
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Fa’asinomaga | Identity
(Samoan)
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Vanua | Community
(Nara, Papua New Guinea)
Timeline
2021-2022
Engaged already in community spaces, our team were nurturing relationships and listening to the challenges faced by Pacific youth. These were heightened during the Australian federal election in 2022.
Timeline
April 2023
During Queensland Youth Week 2023, we delivered the pilot of the Future Ancestors Program - Pasifika Youth in Politics in collaboration with Young Pacific Leaders, Pasifika Women's Alliance, Pacific Islands Council of QLD, Australia Greens, Multilink Community Services and FYA. It saw 12 Pasifika youth from Meanjin (Brisbane) and surrounding areas come together to upskill, network and address some of the challenges faced in their own communities.
June 2023 and beyond
We continue to see our Future Ancestors take up space and serve their communities in transformational ways! It has been evident that our Future Ancestors Program is a much needed space where we can continue to support young Pacific people to be leaders in their own communities.
Community Engagement
Program
Delivery
YPL Small
Grants Workshop
YPL Showcase
The Ripple
Effect
Watch this
space!
November 2022
After successfully receiving funding from the Young Pacific Leaders Program, our team travelled to Aotearoa (New Zealand) to participate in a workshop amongst 10 other groups from across Oceania. This funding would allow us to deliver our first pilot project - Future Ancestors Program: Pasifika Youth in Politics.
June 2023
Following the delivery of our first Future Ancestors Program, our project lead, Mary Maselina Harm traveled back to Aotearoa to share our work amongst other small grant awardees. This provided an opportunity to also pitch to potential funding bodies for the sustainability of this program.
What now?
We are thrilled to be able to offer our workshops and services to the wider public. We are keen to collaborate! Get in touch with us via email - admin@futureancestors.com.au
“E fofo e le alamea le alamea”
- Samoan Proverb
It has been said among Samoan traditional fishermen that if you get stung by the spines of the alamea (crown-of-thorns starfish), you should turn the starfish over and have its spongy-like feet touch the area where you have been stung.
The alamea will heal its own doing.
This proverb reminds us that the solutions for issues and challenges can be found within our own community.
Our Collaborators
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