You’re reading The Husk's Weekender, a brief countdown/roundup of miscellanea from Micronesia, the Pacific, and Earth.
achievements out of Micronesia
A new dialysis center opened up in Majuro, according to the Marshall Islands Journal.
The FSM is taking steps to reform its education system so students learn more Indigenous knowledge in schools, per Kaselehlie Press. (Hat tip: PIR)
Baklai Temengil made history when she became the first female president of the Oceanic National Olympic Committees this past month. Temengil is from Palau, and according to this bio from the Pacific Community, “Temengil … was a member of the Team Palau Women’s Canoe Team, which won gold at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Micronesian Games.”
The FSM opened a new convention center, according to a press release from the president’s office.
updates in the U.S. military’s growing presence in Micronesia
Rota residents question military about how proposed plans benefit community, according to the Marianas Press
A U.S. military radar project in Ngaraard, Palau, is underway and public comments are sought. Per the Island Times, “The radar site in Ngaraard is one of three TACMOR facilities the U.S. plans to build in Palau, with others located in Angaur and the Southwest Islands. The Ngaraard project has faced criticism from state leaders and residents, who claim the EQPB’s permitting process failed to adequately consider their input.
“A group of young Palauans also raised the issue with the United Nations, alleging violations of environmental protections and indigenous rights under Palauan and international law.”
The U.S. military presented plans for projects in Yap recently, as reported in a news update from Yap’s Department of Youth and Civic Affairs.
Deep-sea mining stories that caught my attention
Cook Islands environment group calls on govt to speak out against US Trump’s deep seabed mining order, according to RNZ
U.S deep sea mining plan would likely violate international law, as reported in Radio Free Asia
media pursuits by Micronesian organizations
MEI, The Podcast uploaded a new episode this month, which alerted me to their fairly new podcast. MEI stands for Marshallese Educational Initiative, a nonprofit in Arkansas.
“HEROES OF MICRONESIA” IS ONLINE!
A blessing for those of us who missed the premieres. The brilliant folks at Nihi Indigenous Media have posted Episode 1, which features Mau Piailug of Satawal, Yap; Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands; Gabriela Ngirmang of Belau; and Julian Aguon of Guåhan.
quote
“A Yapese proverb states that when one whispers, those around them are forced to lean in and listen while those that are loud are met with shut ears. Resistance, similar to change, need not always be loud to be transformative though it can be.”
Axel Defngin articulately writes about quiet disruption in the latest Visions & Voices publication, from the Pacific Islands Report.1
With every issue of the Weekender, we’ll leave you with a send-off song (not necessarily from a Micronesian artist) curated by my brother, Henry, whose musical tastes have left a lifelong impression on me and, now hopefully, you.
This week’s send-off song is “Alkohol,” by xUSOPWICHx, Bigg Makk, and Juws.
We’re building a send-off song playlist on Spotify that includes the songs mentioned in past Weekender posts. Check it out.
Thank you for reading! Have a great weekend,
Jasmine
This actually might have chemically altered my brain in a significant way. I’m still processing this.
As for the military buildup, my stance remains the same:
There is nothing that is more valuable than preserving our Indigenous lands, seas, air, and people. The U.S. military is the largest polluter on every level — from the local level to the global level. Our ancestors did not die for their descendants to destroy our wealth: the environment. We MUST protect our lands, seas, air, and people — keep it in our hands, within our control, and free from foreigners and their wars. This is our inheritance; it is foolish to give it to someone else to control and to destroy.
Regarding Palau in the regional sports scene:
I wonder if the president was elected because Palau is hosting the Mini Games this summer.