A group of Indigenous pacific activists recently travelled miles across the seas to attend the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica where discussions about the regulations of deep sea mining take place.
“Indigenous people are largely excluded in spaces like these in international forums” says Greenpeace Aotearoa Seabed mining campaigner James Hita.
“It’s really important that those who have a deep and spiritual connection to the ocean like those from around the pacific are in these spaces and get to advocate for the protection of the ocean.”
Their journey was a symbolic representation of the resilience and determination of indigenous communities in the face of systemic injustice and environmental degradation.
On route to Jamaica the pacific voyagers travelled to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic to board Greenpeace’s vessel The Arctic Sunrise, which had sailed to the Caribbean to link with the activists.
The journey was not just an opportunity for them to prepare for upcoming interventions at the International Seabed Authority but also an opportunity for them to engage with other environmental activists and share indigenous customs and perspectives while on board.
Activist and creative educator, Quack Pirihi taught the Arctic Sunrise crew how to sing traditional Maori waiata ‘Te Aroha’.
Uncle Sol gave a talk about indigenous knowledge of sea navigation.
The activists’ journey to join the Arctic Sunrise as it headed toward Jamaica is a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration and solidarity in the fight for environmental justice.
Motivated by the knowledge that their journey was part of a broader effort to end deep sea mining and promote justice for indigenous people they showed that even the most remote and marginalised communities can make their voices heard on a global stage.
It’s time for New Zealand to take a stand. Join our call on the New Zealand government to back a global moratorium on seabed mining.