I just recently received an update from my colleagues in Vanuatu regarding the construction of the new National Library and National Archives building on the grounds of the Cultural Center in Port Vila. Here’s the new photo:
An Opening Ceremony is slated to take place on August 23, 2013. I will keep you posted on any new developments.
Several archives in the Pacific Islands enthusiastically embraced International Archives Day on June 9, 2013. Here is a list of events that some of the archives celebrated on Sunday, Monday, or throughout the entire week:
Solomon Islands: The National Archives of Solomon Islands planned a day of activities such as exhibitions and some educational activities for the public in Honiara on Monday the 10th at the National Archives of Solomon Islands ground.
Samoa: Samoa celebrated International Archives day with awareness workshops and a visit by people from different Ministries to their Archives. This will be the very first time that some of the participants will be able to have an understanding of the collection that they have in the Archives. This celebration was also held on Monday 10th June.
New Zealand: To celebrate International Archives Day Archives New Zealand has featured a tweet each day this week showcasing a staff member’s favourite archive. You can check out the tweets here.
Tonga: Tonga had a successful national marking of the International Day of Archives in collaboration with the implementation of activities for the 150-151st Anniversaries of Emancipation Day in Tonga. For stories and photographs, please visit the Ministry of Information and Communication Website.
If I receive anymore events from Pacific Island nations, I will add them to this list.
A National Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Blackbirding will take place in Vanuatu on July 28, 2013. Blackbirding is the recruitment through kidnapping to work as laborers. Between the years 1853 to 1906, over 30,000 ni-Vanuatu and Solomon Islanders were shipped to Queensland and other parts of Australia to work as slaves and indentured laborers in the agricultural sectors of the then-British colony.
Map of the areas affected by Blackbirding
Here is the Press Release:
Friday, June 7th, 2013
VANUATU GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASE
Commemoration of 150th Anniversary of Blackbirding to be part of 2013 Independence Anniversary program
This year 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the period of “blackbirding”, the trade of over 30,000 ni-Vanuatu and Solomon Islanders to Queensland and other parts of Australia to work as slaves and indentured laborers in the agricultural sectors of the then-British colony. The blackbirding era lasted from 1853 until 1906.
In Australia, this 150th anniversary is being commemorated by a number of events in a number of cities beginning in June and running until November.
The Council of Ministers has now decided that this important anniversary will also be commemorated in Vanuatu, and the Prime Minister has requested that the 33rd Independence Anniversary Organizing allocate one day of the 2013 Independence Anniversary program to the “National Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Blackbirding”, as follows:
1. the official commemoration date shall be Sunday the 28th July ; 2.the Government will allocate a special additional budget of 1,000,000 vatu towards this special commemoration day ; 3.there shall be a special sub-committee created to organize this day, which shall be chaired by the Vanuatu Indigenous Descendants Association (VIDA) and co- chaired by the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) ; 4.a special church service and a special forum shall be organized as part of the activities of this day ; 5.the Interim National Body for Australian South Sea Islanders (based in Australia) shall be consulted about the program for this day, as many of the Australian South Sea Islander community (descendants of ni-Vanuatu) will be returning to Vanuatu to take part in this commemoration day.
The Vanuatu Indigenous Descendants Association (VIDA) is the body established by the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs in 2011 to deal with and advise the Council on matters relating to the historic blackbirding era and relationships with the Australian South Sea Islander community.
The Multimedia Unit in the Center for Flexible Learning at the University of South Pacific (USP) has taken up the task of digitizing media on relevant Pacific Islands culture. Although the unit is in its infancy, they have already posted a few projects. Some notable videos include: “The Atiuan Canoe Making” from the Cook Islands, and “Yam Gardening” from Tonga. Feel free to visit their site to view more online videos.
I will place the site on our Links That We Like section of the blog under the “Pacific Islands Culture Media” tab.
Don’t forget to check the USP site often for new posts!
The market at Honiara, Solomon Islands
International Archives Day!
June 9th is International Archives Day. All around the world, professionals will unite their voices to make you understand why it is important to support archives and the profession. It is an excellent opportunity for people to discover or better know the archives profession, as well as to get in closer touch with a fascinating occupation!
The International Council on Archives (ICA) is a passionate supporter of International Archives Day creating the day in 2007. They decided that June 9th would be the date, as it is the day that ICA was created under the auspices of the UNESCO. The goal of International Archives Day is to:
The Cultural Center that houses the National Archives, Port Vila, Vanuatu
To learn more on what’s happening worldwide on this 6th International Archives Day please visit the ICA Webpage.
Have plans to travel around California this summer?
I recently added two new festivals on our Website’s calendar. The first is the Pacific Islander Festival at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California on weekend of June 1-2. The festival is included with general aquarium admission to guests. You can click here for more information.
Crowd awaiting the next performance at the 2012 Festival of Pacific Arts, Honiara, Solomon Islands (photo courtesy of Catherine Green)
Also, on August 3-4 in San Mateo, California, the Pacific Islanders’ Cultural Association (PICA) will be hosting their annual Aloha Festival at the San Mateo County Event Center. This festival is in its 18th year and is free to the general public! Check out their site for more information.
Hope you can make it to these well established festivals!
I would just like to take this opportunity to pass along a Hawaiian television project titled, “Islands in the Pacific,” that is looking for funding from interested people on the IndieGoGo crowdfunding Website. The funding will be used for the creation and production of three episodes that are intended to be made for the travel lover, the historian, and the cultural enthusiast. According to the organizers:
“This project will create a new television series centered on the environment and beauty of the islands in the Pacific. Throughout these islands, there is a rich history that few truly understand. From the cultural impact of modern society to the vibrant beauty of these island’s land; ”Islands in the Pacific” will be a resource for people to better understand these remote areas.“
For more information on this project, please check out their funding page.
