Mission

Through inter-island dialogue, community empowerment, and knowledge sharing, we aim to deepen connections among Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Islands. We remain committed to supporting Indigenous self-determination, cultural transmission, environmental governance, and the exercise of sovereignty over Land and Sea. We consistently support Indigenous communities in actively participating in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and work in partnership with grassroots Indigenous organizations across the Pacific Ocean to advance shared advocacy and collective action.

Art by Ngayaw Sayang

Art by Ngayaw Sayang

Vision

Culture represents the evolving expression of Peoples shaped through historical processes, environmental changes interweaving between local and external influences, ultimately forming a community’s unique way of life.

The cultures of Indigenous Peoples on the Pacific Islands are rich and enduring. Despite the erosion, imposition, and restructuring brought by dominant civilizations, these cultures have retained their core integrity and subjectivity. Through the dedicated efforts of community members and scholars, parts of these unique, non-mainstream cultural traditions have been preserved, while other fragmented elements are being carefully reassembled. These surviving Indigenous cultural expressions also evolve by interweaving with mainstream culture and gradually taking on new forms.

A closer look at the cultures of various Indigenous groups reveals that nature lies at the heart of their traditions and beliefs. Their ways of life and development are grounded in the principles of coexistence and mutual flourishing with nature. Humility, reverence for nature, and wisdom drawn from the land are not only cultural values: they are also essential in achieving environmental sustainability.

In light of this, we have established this organization to remain actively engaged in the preservation and development of the Indigenous cultures on Pacific Islands, and to foster deep and sustained connections among Indigenous communities across the Pacific Ocean. Through these connections, we seek to expand cultural understanding, share intergenerational knowledge, and cultivate a shared vision for the future.

At the same time, we are committed to amplifying Indigenous voices on the international stage, in order to strengthen the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples. This includes rights to education, economic development, and sovereignty over Land, Sea, data, and knowledge. Our goal is to support Indigenous communities in sustaining their ways of life through Indigenous self-determination and in moving toward a future grounded in autonomy and dignity.

Core Values

Indigenous Self-Determination: To uphold and respect Indigenous Peoples’ inherent right to self-governance and their self-determined pathways of development.
Indigenous Cultural Revitalization: To clarify and respond to past colonial and unjust oppression, to restore collective memories, heal relations, and establish institutional safeguards to ensure that such history does not repeat.
Sustaining and Advancing the Transmission of Culture: To sustain and innovate Indigenous languages, ceremonies, and knowledge systems.
Fostering Solidarity and the Spirit of Sharing: To promote the exchange of knowledge and experience across generations and communities.
Sustainability and Living in Reciprocal Relationship with All Beings: To embody and uphold ways of living in harmony with the natural world.
Indigenous Sovereignty over Land and Sea Territories: To affirm Indigenous Peoples’ inherent authority and self-determination over their ancestral lands and territories.
Indigenous Knowledge and Data Sovereignty: To ensure Indigenous communities’ ownership, control, and governance of their knowledge in digital environments.
Engagement Across Global and Local Contexts: Bridging local Indigenous communities with the world through exchange with Pacific Islanders.

Our Work

To strengthen cultural and knowledge connections between Indigenous Peoples across the Pacific Ocean.
To promote the Indigenous worldview of reverence for nature and sustainable coexistence, while reinforcing the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples, including sovereignty over Land and Sea territories, languages, cultural heritage, and data.
To engage in international platforms, including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
To actively assist Pacific Island Indigenous delegates in engaging with international platforms, including the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), and provide support for their participation in UNPFII side events under the name of our organization.
To support efforts to engage with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and to promote the recognition of the Taiwan Indigenous cultural heritage as part of the World Cultural Heritage.
To collaborate with local Indigenous organizations in the Pacific Islands to jointly promote Indigenous culture, education, youth engagement, and policy advocacy.