BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele has warmly welcomed the Tepuke and Uto ni Yalo upon their arrival at the Marine School, Ranadi Solomon Islands National University (SINU) campus.
The arrival ceremony yesterday [Monday, September 8] was witnessed by the Pacific Islands Forum leaders together with their delegates who are in the country for the 54th PIF meeting, Government officials and members of the public.
“I’m honoured to be joined here by the Pacific leaders in paying tribute to our sons and daughters who brave the vast Pacific Ocean and sail the Tepuke and the N’Koniyaro. Congratulations and welcome once all of our voyagers. We thank God for your safe arrival,” said PM Manele.
He said that the presence of the TePuke and the Uto ni Yalo represents the richness of the diverse Pacific culture and demonstrates its intricate connection to the ocean.
“We honour the intergenerational crew who sail these times, elders, experienced navigators, young men and women standing together as living proof that our ancestral knowledge is being handed down and renewed for the future of our Pacific,” he said.
He said that the skills of constructing ocean-going canoes, the wisdom of reading the stars and currents, understanding weather patterns and marine ecosystems are lived experiences that define pacific Islands relationship with the ocean.
“It is evident that the ocean remains our past, present and future. We also acknowledge the transfer of indigenous knowledge of our forefathers passed down from generation to generation in chants, songs and dances as we have witnessed earlier today. The ceremonies we shared this afternoon speak powerfully of this truth,” he said.
“Their sails carry the stories of our stories of the ocean. Their hounds hold the hopes of our children and their journey strengthens our collective resolve to safeguard the blue pacific. We remain committed to taking this message to our international communities through including through the United Nations General Assembly and the conference of the parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,” said PM Manele.
