Climate Action Marshall Islands Project #51439

Activating Frontline Communities

by Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Project Report | Mar 11, 2022
An important update

By Christian N. Ciobanu | Project Leader

Empowering First Nations & Indigenous Communities

Dear Friends,

We would like to thank you for your amazing support. Since we last corresponded, RTT convened a significant seminar entitled "Empowering First Nations and Indigenous Communities: Overcoming the Ecological and Humanitarian Threats of the Nuclear Fuel Trajectory and Nuclear Weapons." Speakers included: Benetick Kabua Maddison, Assistant Director and Project Specialist for Youth, Climate, and Nuclear Issues at the Marshallese Educational Initiative; Esther Yazzie-Lewis, an elder from the Navajo First Nation; Peyton Pitawanakwat, a community member of the Mississauga First Nation; Dr. Katlyn Turner, Director for the Antiracism Design and Technology Initiative of the MIT Media Lab; and Prerna Gupta, a PhD Student at the University of British Columbia. The co-sponsors were the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Pegasus Institute, Marshallese Educational Initiative, Nukewatch, Manhattan Project for a Nuclear-Free World, Hibakusha Stories, Peace Boat US, Affected Communities and Allies Working Group of the Nuclear Ban Treaty Collaborative, and The Prospect Hill Foundation.

This event underscored the dangers of the nuclear fuel trajectory and the legacy of nuclear testing. It also highlighted the importance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This event included representatives from First Nations and Indigenous Communities. The recording can be found below.

Following the webinar, RTT met with a representative from Lush Cosmetics. Lush was impressed by our work and invited RTT to submit a discretionary project centered on activating and empowering youth in this field.

We will continue to organize webinars featuring representatives from First Nations and Indigenous Communities. These webinars will help us to build virtual relationships with First Nations and Indigenous Communities as we continue with this project.

We hope that you will continue to follow us and support our incredible work in supporting First Nations and Indigenous Communities.

Links:

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Nov 11, 2021
A Powerful Update

By Christian Ciobanu | Project Leader

RTT-MEI-LCNP-NAPF DC Trip

Dear Donors,

We would like to thank you for supporting our project entitled “Activating Frontline Communities.” Since our last update, we have been super busy! Last week, we organized a series of events with Marshallese youth in Washington D.C.

Together with the Marshallese Educational Initiative, we organized two presentations about youth activism and nuclear disarmament at Gonzaga College High School. Many of the students were unaware about the legacy of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands and the Runit Dome, where the United States stored its nuclear waste.

Following our educational events at Gonzaga College High School, we engaged with policymakers about the COMPACT negotiations. Specifically, we met with a representative of Congress and recommended that the U.S. must disclose several classified documents about the U.S. testing in the Marshall Islands. We further explained the necessity for youth to be involved in the negotiations.

Also, we met with a representative of the Marshall Islands. At the meeting, Marshallese youth activists explained that the COMPACT negotiations affect all Marshallese. Therefore, all interested Marshallese should be involved in the bilateral COMPACT negotiations between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the U.S.

Significantly, our work in D.C. exemplified the urgent need for policymakers to listen to youth and incorporate their views into policy decisions that impact them.

As we continue to engage in advocacy work with Marshallese youth, we hope to transform policymakers' mindsets about youth engagement. We are committed to making a difference.

We also convened an important educational event at the Yale Club, where Benetick Kabua Maddison delivered powerful remarks. In addition, ambassadors further touched upon the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons.

Together, as a united voice, we will continue to provide avenues for youth to express themselves and challenge the status quo.

Thank you for supporting us!

RTT Event at the Yale Club of New York

Links:

A Journey Home

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Jul 14, 2021
First Update

By Christian N. Ciobanu | Project Leader

Group Photo with Marshallese Youth

Dear Donors,

Thank you for supporting our project, "Activating Frontline Communities." In late June, Reverse the Trend traveled to Springdale, Arkansas to meet with the Marshallese community. In Springdale, we delivered a presentation about youth activism, the legacy of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands, and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The Marshallese Educational Initiative sponsored the presentation.

Following the presentation, we attended the Marshallese Educational Initiative's commemoration event on the 75th anniversary of the first nuclear test in the Marshall Islands. Representatives from the Marshall Islands shared their thoughts about the legacy of nuclear testing.

Our interns also collaborated with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons to produce videos in which they joined the Marshallese community in advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons.

The next day, we attended MEI's two panels on nuclear and climate issues. The nuclear panel consisted of Ariana Tibon, RMI National Nuclear Commission, Albious Latior, Marshallese community advocate, and Dr. Tommy Rock, Diné, Navajo First Nation. The speakers for the climate panel were: Tina Eonemto Stege, RMI Climate Envoy, Mireya Rieth, Arkansas United, and Kendra Pinto, Diné, Eastern Agency of the Navajo Nation Moderators were Marcina Langrine and Benetick Kabua Maddison, MEI.

After attending these meetings, we had a strategy session with Benetick Kabua Maddison. As part of our strategy session, we discussed the need to empower young Marshallese youth on the COMPACT negotiations and nuclear disarmament.

Upon returning to New York, we are determined to continue our support to the Marshallese community.

We have also begun conducting outreach to Indigenous and First Nations.

Thank you for supporting us; these activities would not be possible without your donations!

Links:

Youth Videos- Standing in Solidarity with the Marshallese

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