In a state of bewilderment I felt adrift at “The Jewel” at Singapore’s Changi Airport wandering through artificial gardens, taking in the sights and scents of Asian cuisines and being awed by a gigantic waterfall that fell through the ceiling, all the while, trying to find my way back to the departure lounge of Terminal 1. The experience reminded me of a scene in the movie, Percy Jackson, The Lightening thief, when Percy, son of the Greek god Poseidon, with his two friends entered the Lotus Casino. Enchanted by the lotus flower they ate, the trio forgot about time and the urgency of their quest. They were trapped in an endless party, dancing wildly to the sound of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”.
My “Poker Face” was the echoing, almost enchanting, Harry Potter theme song that was beaming through loud speakers in the garden at the center of “The Jewel”. Unlike Percy, I was wide awake hunting for the exit to the departure terminals. My quest weighed on my conscience. The voices of 400,000 people were a monotonous hum in my head, “Ban Frieda Mine”. I couldn’t miss that connection flight to Geneva, Switzerland via Paris, France.
Like Percy, this was our mission. We, The Supreme Sukundimi Coalition of Chiefs, The People of Sepik River, Project Sepik, the Save the Sepik Campaign and Papua New Guinea (PNG) were on our way to the United Nations (UN), to Paleis des Nations; to tell the whole world that:
“We, the People of Sepik, refuse to become victims. We reject the Frieda Mine openly and that our fight is not just for environmental protection but one that will prevent a Human Rights crisis and a genocide.”
“We refuse to become victims, we have rejected this mine openly and are persistant with our resistance”
At the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Project Sepik stood before the world’s highest human rights body and boldly spoke for our river, the spine of our culture, the source of our food and the lifeblood of our communities. We informed them that the proposed Frieda River Gold and Copper Mine, with its massive tailings dam was planned in a seismically active rainforest, threatens to destroy all life and non-life forms.
While I felt valiant at that time, I am insignificant in all of this. This is not my story. I was Frodo’s Sam in Lord of the Rings or Batman’s Alfred. The gravity of the journey did not dawn on me until after I delivered the statement. This journey was more than representation. It was activation. Speaking at the UN opened a pathway for global attention, advocacy and solidarity I never imagined. It connected our isolated local struggle to international mechanisms that can pressure the PNG Government to uphold human rights, indigenous rightsand environmental justice. It meant that the Sepik River story, our story, was now on the global human rights record. It felt like Frodo and I just dropped the ring of power into the fires of Mordor initiating a domino effect where orcs were falling, alongside their master Sauron. Overwhelming is an understatement.
Alone in Geneva, half the globe away from PNG. I thought of our champions along the river, Collis, Matilda, Salvador, Darren Mai, Wendy, Casmil, Florence and all the Project Sepik volunteers. I thought of the fore-runners of the Save The Sepik Campaign who laid some of the ground work before me. Champions, individuals like Duncan Gabi, Zephaniah Winduo, Troy Mabos and Vernon Gawi, the Avisak Students and many others. I thought of the difficulties, challenges and obstacles of this campaign and through all that, the passion and guidance of Emmanuel Peni. Again, overwhelming is an understatement. There were no one from PNG, who shared the understanding of our PNG culture and the gravity of the fight nearby, who could shout with me and celebrate, so I just broke down and cried, alone. I thought, “Wara Sepik, Yumi kam kamap lo UN”.
Our presence has now opened the doors for formal follow-ups with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, who can investigate and raise the issue directly with our government. It also paves the way for international networks, NGOs and environmental defenders to rally in support, amplifying our cause in ways we could never do alone.
This recognition gives our movement moral strength and legitimacy on the world stage. It asserts and declares to the mining companies and financiers that the world is watching, that they cannot quietly gamble with our future behind closed doors. Additionally, this recognition gives our people, those living along the Sepik and beyond, the reassurance that their voices have crossed oceans and reached the highest levels of power and influence. This also lays precedence for other small NGOs and Civil Society groups in PNG who share similar struggles, that their voices can be aired at the UN Human Rights Council.
The journey to Geneva was not just a trip; it was a bridge. A bridge between a remote river in PNG and the global conscience. Out of more than 20,000 applicants who applied for the UN Voluntary Fund, only 13 were chosen, and Project Sepik and Save The Sepik was one of those selected 13. The world has now heard the Sepik River speak. And once the river speaks, it cannot be silenced. Our voice now echoes through the Assembly Hall and the long corridors of Paleis des Nations. The voice of the Sepik River and The Supreme Sukundimi Council of Chiefs from Iniok to Kopar, is now on record at the UN. The Sepik River has made it to the United Nations!
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