PTC has officially launched the Samoa leg of the Restorying Pasifika Gender for Transformative Leadership for Justice project. This program empowers women to research and document their indigenous climate knowledge practices, which are vital for food security and community resilience.
The project is coordinated by the Institute for Climate Indigenous Knowledge (ICIK) of PTC. Director ICIK Rev. Dr Tafue Lusama introduced the project at the recent side event ‘Indigenouswealth of Commonwealth’ at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) underway in Apia, Samoa.
Rev Dr Lusama said:
“As part of this initiative, we recognise that “indigenous climate knowledge is a collection of practices and beliefs developed through interaction with the environment.” This knowledge is essential for understanding and respecting our natural world.
Key insights shared during the launch include:
????????????? ??????:”A knowing that informs the characteristics of nature, like the signs that tell you storms are approaching.” For example, in Fiji, when ants come indoors, it’s a warning of bad weather ahead.
???????? ???? ??? ???????????: We must be able to identify ourselves with nature. This is a respectful acknowledgment of our place within the cosmic family.
???? ??????????:”The ability to communicate with creation—the language that nature uses—can only be understood when we think relationally with nature.”
Through this project, PTC is amplifying the silent voices of indigenous communities, advocating for the invaluable wisdom found in indigenous philosophies, spiritualities, and sciences.
Project goals include:
(i) Localizing indigenous climate knowledge for adaptation and mitigation.
(ii) Amplifying women’s voices through networks focused on climate policies.
Rev. Dr Lusama urged the Commonwealth to recognise the crucial role that indigenous knowledge plays in the quest for climate solutions. He said that it is imperative that indigenous climate knowledge is included in all climate conversations, including COP processes.
The ReStorying Gender project is an exploration of gender from the perspective of Pasifika philosphies, values, indigenous wisdom and ethics.
