How Ancestral Voyaging Mobilizes Knowledge of Biodiversity & Climate Change

Date and TimeFebruary 2, 2023, 17:00-19:00 PST (followed by an official reception until 20:30) 

Location: UBC Liu Institute for Global Issues (xʷθəθiqətəm or The Place of Many Trees) 

The future of the ocean is essential to the planet’s future and human life. Climate change intersects profoundly with biodiversity, food security for billions of humans, culture, and economy and peace. The sea-voyaging people of the Pacific have developed intimate and profound knowledge of the Ocean over millennia. The extreme biodiversity of the western Pacific makes its health key to revival of planetary biodiversity.

This is an opportunity for us to learn ways of knowing from Pacific knowledge keepers, to deeply enrich our understanding of the complex inter-relationships of ocean phenomena and what must be done to protect and live with the ocean for our own future survival. The session would bring together different forms of knowledge, including ocean science, geoscience, plant science and zoology, along with cultural history and narratives, music, anthropology, archeology, navigation, and others

Opening Remarks:

Dr. Rashid Sumaila, University Killam Professor, UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries & School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
Dr. Yves Tiberghien, UBC Konwakai Chair in Japanese Research, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs/Institute of Asian Research, & Professor, Department of Political Science
Daniella Weber, Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives at The University of British Columbia

Co-Moderators:

Dr. Andrea Reid
Centre for Indigenous Fisheries
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries

Dr. Rashid Sumaila
University Killam Professor
UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries & School of Public Policy and Global Affairs

Speakers:

Setareki Ledua, Drua Sailing Experience, Pte, Ltd, Suva and Lau Group, Fiji.

Sanakoli John, Pasana Group, Nuakata Island, Papua New Guinea.

Luke O’Grady Vaikawi, Holau Vaka Taumako Association, Taumako Island.

Delsie Betty Bosi, Holau Vaka Taumako Association, Taumako Island

Mimi Kaveia George, Vaka Taumako Project of Pacific Traditions Society, Anahola

Mario Jacob Benito, 500 Sails. Polowat Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia

Lolobeyong Valentino Rogopes Benito, 500 Sails. Polowat Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia

Heuionalani Wyeth, Vaka Taumako Project of Pacific Traditions Society, Anahola.