The Moanan
The Moanan Podcast is a platform connecting Pacific knowledge to Pacific peoples. Each week, we share knowledge & wisdom from those of the Moana, from various fields & disciplines.
This podcast is for the young Pacific person, raised in the west, wanting to connect to their cultural roots & ancestral homes.
The Moanan
Banaba: "The land that died so that others could live" - Vaitoa Teaiwa Mallon & Hele Christopher-Ikimotu
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In this episode we have Vaitoa Teaiwa Mallon (Banaba, Kiribati, Samoa, Irish) & Hele Christopher-Ikimotu (Banaba, Kiribati, Niue) who shed light on the history and current realities of the people of Banaba - an island whose story has been largely forgotten.
We talk about the over exploitation of their island by foreign mining companies and how this had led to the complete destruction of the islands resources to the point where the island can no longer sustain life. So much so that Banabans have relocated to the island of Rabi, Fiji.
While we talk about a painful past, Vaitoa & Hele also share stories of resilience with Banabans across the diaspora continuing to maintain and hold onto their culture and identity as proud Banabans.
The Moanan is not just an educational platform but an online community — connecting diasporas all over the world. We’d love to connect!
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Email hello@themoanan.com