UU204 UNIT 4
ASSIGNMEMNT:
REFLECTION 2
NAME: Raobeia Rabaua
ID: S11214646
CAMPUS: Laucala
TUTOR: Penina Waqatabu
Vaka: 3
Original Reflection
“What does it mean to be a Pacific Islander or 'Oceanian' today and in the future to me?”, this
question was posted for our first assignment as part of the unit UU204 (Pacific Islander).
Based on my first reflection, Banaba, a Pacific Island known for its phosphate, was
discovered by the British in the 19th century. The British Phosphate Commission began
mining the land without the consent of the indigenous Banaban people, this led to
environmental degradation and relocation of the indigenous, and the destruction of our
natural resources altering the landscape which affects the way of the indigenous to maintain
their land and ancient way of life. The Banaban people, as Pacific islanders are seeking
justice through workshops programs, advocating, and promoting international environmental
awareness for the future of the Banaban people and to avoid the issue like mining. The
beginning of my journey as a pacific islander, my knowledge about my land and my people
was not thorough but going throughout my journey, I began to feel a deeper connection with
my people and my homeland.
I feel grateful for studying pacific world (UU204) since it broadens my perspective and
strengthens my connection with my people and homeland. Coming towards the end of my
journey I realized the true meaning of what it really means to be a Pacific Islander. As a
Banaban, we withheld a rich tapestry of culture and are unique in every way, growing up and
listening to my elder’s story brings sorrow to my heart, the way they were treated, the
relocation to Rabi and the condition of our homeland due to this phosphate mining. This
knowledge not only strengthens our connection to the past, but it also prepares the way for a
more sustainable and harmonious future, as we incorporate historical lessons into our efforts
to safeguard our cultural legacy and the environment that nourishes us. Understanding the
historical impact of mining on my homeland highlights the problems we've encountered as
well as our community's resiliency, allowing us to appreciate the depth of our collective
experience.
Banaba and its people have suffered a lot from western influence; therefore, this reflection
depicts our shared challenges as Pacific Islanders in the predicament of my people, who
struggled with the environmental destruction brought on by phosphate mining. As I dug
deeper into my Banaban community and the effects of phosphate mining, I came to learn that
Pacific Studies is a field that pushes people to go beyond their own boundaries of
understanding (Teresia. T, 2005). It was a helpful reminder that the effects of mining on
Banaba are not limited to their experience; rather, it is part of our larger story about cultural
preservation, resiliency, and the need for sustainable practises that is shared by people
throughout the Pacific Islands. The future of Banaba depends on us and our future
generations, following the disastrous effects of mining on my beloved Banaba there is hope
for the future in the forms of environmental recovery, cultural preservation, and redoubled
support for justice. We will continue our efforts to raise global awareness about the
environmental repercussions of mining, recover and reforest our lands, and empower future
generations with knowledge. UU204 enables us to see a strong, cohesive, and sustainable
future that embraces new opportunities while paying tribute to our history (Reed, S. and
Stringer, C. 2016).
All in all, ending my UU204 journey motivates me to continue my late grandfather’s legacy
to fight for my people to restore our land which was negatively abused by the British people.
'Banaba, for the land that we love and to what we have lost, will remain in our hearts forever'
(Sigrah. R, 2001). Banaba as an endangered land stood as reminder for the world to see the
harmful impact of land exploitation, and that is mining. The future of our land depends on
how we solve this problem for instance international environmental awareness, preservation
and education as mentioned above are crucial. The historical impact of western influence on
our cultural legacy can have a detrimental effect on our environment, but understanding this
can help us create a sustainable future by incorporating historical lessons and fostering
resilience.
(Approximately, 692 words).
Chat GPT’S RESPONDS.
The question of what it means to be a Pacific Islander today and in the future is a
multifaceted inquiry encompassing various experiences, challenges, and aspirations. In this
reflection, we will explore the broader context of the Pacific Islander identity while
acknowledging the specific role of the island of Banaba in shaping this identity. We will
examine the shared challenges of historical injustices, environmental concerns, the impacts of
mining, and their collective impact on the identity and aspirations of Pacific Islanders.
For Pacific Islanders, cultural identity is paramount. Diverse cultures and traditions have
flourished for generations across the region. The history of Banaba, deeply affected by
phosphate mining and Western influences, serves as a poignant example of the challenges
faced by many Pacific Islanders. Today, being a Pacific Islander means cherishing and
revitalizing cultural practices, languages, and customs, while reconciling the impact of
mining and colonialism on the cultural fabric.
The Pacific Islander identity bears the weight of historical injustices, often perpetuated by
external powers. The legacy of Western colonization and mining, such as the exploitative
practices on Banaba, continues to influence the Pacific Islander experience. The disruption of
indigenous communities, environmental degradation, and the lack of consent in resource
exploitation remain part of the collective memory. Pacific Islanders, including the Banaban
people, persist in their pursuit of justice, recognition, and redress for past wrongs, with these
experiences contributing to the formation of their identity.
The contemporary Pacific Islander identity is defined by a shared concern for environmental
challenges that transcend national borders. Rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and extreme
weather events impact the lives and cultures of Pacific Islanders. The impacts of mining on
many Pacific islands have exacerbated these environmental issues. The long-term
consequences of habitat destruction, pollution, and resource depletion have created a sense of
urgency to address the environmental legacy of mining. This concern for the environment and
its connection to cultural preservation is a significant aspect of being a Pacific Islander today.
The history of mining in the Pacific Islands has left a profound mark on the environment and
culture. As Pacific Islanders strive for a sustainable future. These endeavours signify a
commitment to environmental stewardship and recovery, which is inextricably linked to the
preservation of cultural legacies. The Banaban experience, marked by the depletion of natural
resources, has motivated a collective drive to restore the land and preserve their unique way
of life.
Education is an essential tool in equipping Pacific Islanders with the knowledge and skills
needed to address the contemporary challenges they face. It is not only about acquiring
practical skills but also reinforcing the importance of preserving cultural traditions and
fostering resilience. Education empowers individuals and communities to navigate the
complexities of the modern world while retaining their unique identities, an aspiration shared
by the Banaban people.
The aspirations of Pacific Islanders are underpinned by a strong commitment to preserving
their cultural identities, seeking justice for historical injustices, and addressing environmental
concerns, including the impact of mining. These shared aspirations encompass environmental
conservation, social justice, and the celebration of their unique cultures. The history of
Banaba, with its unique experiences, reminds Pacific Islanders of the challenges they have
faced, motivating them to create a more sustainable and harmonious future that embraces
their rich heritage.
In conclusion, the Pacific Islander identity today is characterized by the preservation of
cultural heritage, the pursuit of justice for historical injustices, the challenges of
environmental concerns, and the collective impact of mining activities, with the Banaba
experience serving as a poignant example. The future of Pacific Islanders is shaped by their
shared aspirations for cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and a deep
connection to their unique identities. While the past has left its mark, it is these shared
aspirations that continue to drive the Pacific Islander identity forward, offering hope and
resilience for generations to come.
My comment on Chat GPT responds.
Upon comparing Chat GPT respond to my original piece, I come to find that there some of
the missing things that I forgot to add to my reflection for instance, educational awareness.
Chat GPT did provide evidence for education and how the importance of education is
essential for Banaba. However, I disagree to some of the points because the issue is that Chat
GPT feedbacks is basically on a general overview of the topic, it does not dig deep at mining
on Banaba but other factors of land issues affecting Banaba such as climate change,
acidification, etc. Lastly, is that from Chat GPT, we can see the difference from the original
reflection since the original is basically portraying a sense of despondency with personal
emotions while Chat GPT is based at a contextual viewpoint.
Final Reflection.
“What does it mean to be a Pacific Islander or 'Oceanian' today and in the future to me?”, is a
complex inquiry that includes a range of experiences, difficulties, and goals. Going back to
my first reflection, Banaba, a Pacific Island known for its phosphate, was one of the islands
in the pacific that is endangered due to excess mining from the British people. The main idea
of mining not only led to environmental degradation, but the relocation of the indigenous, and
the destruction of our natural resources altering the landscape but also it affects the Banaban
way of living, customs and traditions The beginning of my journey as a pacific islander, my
knowledge about my land and my people was not thorough but going throughout my journey,
I began to feel a deeper connection with my people and my homeland. Therefore, in this
reflection, we will examine the shared challenges of Banaba’s historical injustices,
environmental concerns, the impacts of mining, and their collective impact on the identity
and aspirations of Pacific Islanders.
I'm glad I study Pacific World (UU204) as part of my unit since it has helped me see the
world from a wider angle and has reinforced my ties to my native land and people. Coming
towards the end of my journey I realized the true meaning of what it really means to be a
Pacific Islander. As a Banaban, I’m proud to say that we withheld a rich tapestry of culture,
tradition and are distinctive in every way. Growing up and listening to my elder’s story brings
sorrow to my heart, the way they were treated, the relocation and the condition of our home
due to this phosphate mining. This knowledge not only strengthens our connection to the
past, but it also prepares the way for a more sustainable and harmonious future, as we
incorporate historical lessons into our efforts to safeguard our cultural legacy and the
environment that nourishes us (Philip, T., 2018). Understanding the historical impact of
mining on my homeland highlights the problems we've encountered for instance, the
depletion of our land resource, and the lack of consent in resource exploitation remain part of
the collective memory as Banabans.
The history of mining on Banaba my homeland has left a profound mark on our environment
and culture. Banaba and its people have suffered a lot from western influence, I found a
reflection of our shared challenges as Pacific Islanders in the predicament of my people, who
struggled with the environmental destruction brought on by phosphate mining and the
influence of the western country. As I dug deeper into my Banaban community and the
effects of phosphate mining, I came to see that Pacific Studies is a field that pushes people to
go beyond their own boundaries of understanding (Teresia. T, 2005). It was a helpful
reminder that the effects of mining on Banaba are not limited to their experience; rather, it is
part of our larger story about cultural preservation, resiliency, and the need for sustainable
practises that is shared by people throughout the Pacific Islands. Following the disastrous
effects of mining on my beloved Banaba there is hope for the future in the forms of
environmental recovery, cultural preservation, and redoubled support for justice. We will
continue our efforts to raise global awareness about the environmental repercussions of
mining, recover and reforest our lands, educate and empower future generations with
knowledge. UU204 enables us to see a strong, cohesive, and sustainable future that embraces
new opportunities while paying tribute to our history (Reed, S. and Stringer, C. 2016).
All in all, ending my UU204 journey motivates me to continue my late grandfather’s legacy
to fight for my people to restore our land which was negatively abused by the British people.
'Banaba, for the land that we love and to what we have lost, will remain in our hearts forever'
(Sigrah. R, 2001). Banaba as an endangered land stood as reminder for the world to see the
harmful impact of land exploitation, and that is mining. The future of our land depends on
how we solve this problem for instance international environmental awareness, preservation
and education as mentioned above are crucial. The historical impact of western influence on
our cultural legacy can have a detrimental effect on our environment, but understanding this
can help us create a sustainable future by incorporating historical lessons and fostering
resilience.
Reference.
Teresia K. Teaiwa, ‘The classroom as a metaphorical canoe: co-operative learning in Pacific
Studies’, World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium Journal, 1 (2005), 38–48.
8 Joseph Lowman, Mastering the Techniques of Teaching (San Francisco [1984] 1991).
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00223344.2011.607269
Philip, T., 2018. Climate change displacement and migration: An analysis of the current
international legal regime's deficiency, proposed solutions and a way forward for Australia.
Melb. J. Int'l L., 19, p.639.
Sigrah, R.K. and King, S.M., 2001. Te rii ni Banaba. editorips@ usp. ac. fj.
Warren, A., 2002. Land degradation is contextual. Land Degradation & Development, 13(6),
pp.449-459.
Reed, M.S. and Stringer, L.C., 2016. Land degradation, desertification and climate change:
Anticipating, assessing and adapting to future change. Routledge.
Tabucanon, G.M., 2012. The Banaban resettlement: implications for Pacific environmental
migration. Tabucanon, Gil Marvel," The Banaban Resettlement: Implications for Pacific
Environmental Migration, 35(3).
