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Meet our Future Ancestors!
When you bring a diverse group of passionate young people together, magic happens!
Our Future Ancestors Program has brought together youth with roots in Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Nauru, Tokelau, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, Aotearoa and Federated States of Micronesia. Now calling Magan-djin (Brisbane) home, these Pasifika youth haved shared time refining their leadership skills, storytelling, knowledge sharing, making meaningful connections, reflection and building momentum to create change.
2023
Bauro Tebano Lambourne
🇰🇮
"I was interested in joining this program as I wanted to improve my leadership skills to be able to go back home and help empower my fellow youths to have a voice and to let their voices be heard. I also wanted to broaden my network of like-minded young leaders from the Pasifika region and share and exchange knowledge and experiences to learn from each other and collaborate on issues that matter to our youth."
Eirububwin Tréannah Mirra Dabwido
🇳🇷
"I am passionate about my faith and relationship with God, my culture and traditional customs and dancing from my culture and my Nauruan community."
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Falima Walekwate
🇸🇧 🇰🇮
“My people are from Langalanga Lagoon, Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands and also i-Kiribati people in the Western Province of Solomon Islands. I am passionate about helping my people and want to be able to offer solutions for the problems/challenges that my people are facing. "
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Hyram Tere Moana Alofipo
🇼🇸
"I want to be an example to my younger brothers who, like many other young Pacific Islanders, work in labouring jobs and don’t see that there are other career options for us. A year ago, I took a leap of faith and changed careers after working in warehousing for 5 years and I am so grateful to now be working in a job I am passionate about. I know that being apart of this program is a great opportunity for me to grow, and I hope that through it I am able to uplift and inspire the Pasifika diaspora community in Logan that I grew up."
Jeffrey Gorogo
🇵🇬
I am a proud Aboriginal and Papua New Guinean. Both of my cultures are rich in history and traditions. I want to be able to use my artstyle in unfamilar spaces to share stories and life lessons that have been able to get me out of dark and overbearing experiences.
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Kimberley Mekea
🇵🇬
“The thing I value most about being from the Pacific is my culture, traditions and customs. I take pride in being a Melanesian women and never shy from repping my roots."
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Mijica Rose Lus
🇵🇬
“I want to be one of those people that is willing to step up and out for my Pacific Island ‘family’ and region. To represent our values and perspective in Australia and the world, for many to see that ‘the Pacific way is truly one that is giving in love."
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Osanna Harris
🇳🇷
"Since becoming a mother, I am more worried about the future of Nauru as the land has been deteriorating due to strip mining and poor planning. I am worried about my son’s future and the future generation of Nauru. I am passionate about learning about land rehabilitation, tree restoration, re-vegetation, land management and improvement."
Rebecca Masani
🇵🇬
"I currently work as a disability worker and enjoy talking and caring for others. I feel that the Pasifika community is facing a Youth crisis and I want to offer solutions to help my community."
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Sara Osho Cave
🇸🇧
"I believe that politics plays a crucial role in shaping our society and creating a better future for ourselves and future generations. As a young person and a Pacific Islander, I am aware of the challenges and barriers that exist in our community, and I want to use this opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective advocate for my community."
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Tuifaasisina Tapenaga Reupena Polataivao
🇼🇸
"What motivated me to apply is the potential to connect with and build connections with Pasefika young people here and across the Pacific in ways which we can genuinely connect and work with the political systems in place in our current countries. I have previously worked with a political party in Australia and have seen ways in which we could be exploited and so I want to make sure and ensure that if we do have young people willing to put their hands up in this arena, that they have the support and advice needed."
Tiana Hippolite
🇳🇿
"Since stepping into a leadership role in the Pasifika Women's Alliance, I have been involved in opportunities for lobbying government to review and commit to policies that align with Pacific Peoples best interests. I am in the hopes that this program will further my understandings in the political realm so that I may continue to advocate for Pacific rights here in Australia."
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2025
Alorah Puritau
🇵🇬
“...this learning and networking opportunity will provide me with invaluable skills and knowledge I can apply to my future endeavours,supporting Pasifika students to thrive in Australia's educational system and contributing towards educational reform initiatives in Papua New Guinea."
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Asher Piari
🇵🇬
“...I see young people across the Pacific, including those in similar situations as myself, striving to preserve and nurture our communities at both grassroots and governmental levels. Therefore, this program resonated deeply with me, inspiring my desire to contribute to this collective effort.”
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Autalaga Tuialii
🇼🇸
“I hope one day I can utilise my experience and knowledge to help our future generations especially in the diaspora to learn about climate change, be equipped with the right skills and understanding. Furthermore, be strongly well versed in their culture, eradicating the fear of being “plastic” and breaking stereotypes and healing generational trauma. Lastly, immersing our faith into everything we do.”
Charmaine Kopana
🇵🇬
“I appreciate our peoples resourcefullness. I appreciate our cultural diversity and heritage, and by that extension or at the core; natural environment - land and sea."
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Charles Tenakanai
🇵🇬
"I am keen to connect with other young Pacific community members and surround myself with new people who are driven and will motivate me to be a better person. I would like to develop my skills and equip myself with tools that can help me support my community."
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Clare Akauma
🇵🇬
"I appreciate the life that the ocean brings, the culture and the history we all share as we are connected by it. Our peoples are some of the first stewards of the earth, the first farmers and people to create healthy, and sustainable operating communities. I look forward to discussing and listening to others experiences and stories in this program."​
Elidon Kop
🇵🇬
“Applying to this program is more than just a career move - it's a call to serve, to stand for justice, and to be an active participant in shaping a future that our ancestors would be proud of."
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Elizabeth Sojnocki
🇸🇧 🇰🇮
“I love any opportunity to self reflect, be challenged, learn, grow and meet new people. I feel this program would be a great opportunity to have this all in one."
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Jaelyn Biumaiwai
​🇫🇯
"I am passionate about strengthening cultural identity, preserving culture, and connecting with my community. I feel that my life would be meaningless if I didn't have these things to focus on."
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Jeffrey Wells
🇻🇺 🇸🇧
"At first, a friend of mine had informed me about the program. After doing some research, I was excited to apply because of the possibility to build upon my capacity, by connecting with other like-minded individuals. Additionally, as an advocate for intergenerational equity the values expressed greatly aligned with me."
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Jennifer Arek
🇵🇬
"I was motivated to apply after hearing about the program from past participants. I'm keen to learn more from others from the Pacific and find useful ways to address the challenges that my community faces."
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Keren Hou
🇸🇧
"Being someone that is usually reserved, I decided to step outside of my comfort zone. I knew that this would be a good opportunity to network, find ways to bring change to my community and ensure we honour our ancestors way of life carrying on our traditions. I know it will be helpful hearing and learning from other brothers and sisters from within the Pacific.
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Luka Panapa
🇹🇰
"I don't know much about decision making and policies but I do have a fair idea how it affects my island Tokelau and Tokelauan communities throughout. When I heard of this opportunity to participate in the Future Ancestors Program, I thought it'll be a good opportunity to step out and learn new things outside of my scope and hopefully a bridge of knowledge for our youth in the community."
McLaren Kopana
🇵🇬
"Learning about leadership is something I'd like to gain more knowledge about. so I can adapt what I've learnt into how I carry myself, in life, my career and with others as well."
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Shanyah Warkia
🇵🇬
"I believe in the power of meaningful connections, and I am excited about the prospect of building strong networks with other participants. By working together, we can amplify each other's efforts and create impactful solutions to the challenges faced by our region."
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Tuimaleali'ifano Rae Fiso
🇼🇸 🇳🇿
“"My passions are education and wellbeing. I coe from a teaching background in a bustling college in the heart of Porirua, Wellington. I'm passionate about mental health and finding sustainable ways to nurture and sometimes heal parts of us that believe we are not worthy of love and success."
How can you get involved?
Watch this space! Details of our next program will be shared here.
If you would like to collaborate, please contact us: admin@futureancestors.com.au