PIMA opens major international exhibition, June 2003
PIMA Media Release
22 June 2003
PIMA opens major international exhibition
More than 800 people turned up to witness the opening of PIMA’s first major international exhibition at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Museum of Anthropology (MOA) in Vancouver on June 21 2003. Titled “Pasifika- Island Journeys” the exhibit showcased for the first time MOA’s founding Pacific Frank Burnett’s collection. Exhibit curator Dr Carol Mayer worked with PIMA for three years to put together the exhibit. Also launched was a Pasifika shop at MOA. The exhibit was open at MOA for a year until May 2004 before it toured across Canada.
The Pasifika shop that was officially opened with the exhibition contained some replicas of pieces in the collection as well as contemporary art and products from the Pacific which were sourced during the period of research as well as in consultation with PIMA and all its affiliates.
The official welcome to the opening was done by Elder Andrew Charles from the Museum community of whose traditional land UBC and MOA stand.
“One of PIMA’s aspirations since its establishment has been to collaborate with museums in other countries, to form partnerships and to work together on exhibitions such as Pasifika Island Journeys”
The exhibit opening was timed to coincide with National Aboriginal Day in Canada. Speaking later during a private yaqona (kava) ceremony for the exhibit team and other Museum staff, Andrew Charles said he was overwhelmed by the ceremony that was accorded to him by the Fijian community. The official programme ended with dancing by the Rotuman community in Vancouver, the Heltsuk Urban dancers representing the Helstsuk First Nations community, members of the Aboriginal Eagle Nest Preschool and the people of Kaien Island of the Tsimshian Nation who performed traditional and modern dances.
PIMA’s then Chairman, Mr Lawrence Foana’ota (Director of the Solomon Islands National Museum) was also present at the opening, and gave the following speech:
“One of PIMA’s main aspirations since its establishment four years ago has been to collaborate with museums in other metropolitan countries and form partnerships especially in areas such as working together on exhibitions, exchanging of ideas and information, training and organizing special workshops, seminars and conferences. “Pasifika-Island Journeys” has fulfilled this aspiration and also marks the first significant undertaking PIMA has ever involved in since its formal establishment with a world renowned institution like the Museum of Anthropology or MOA. As Chairman of PIMA I wish to congratulate and thank MOA through Dr. Carol Mayer in particular for taking the lead as the first museum in a metropolitan country outside of the Pacific region to initiate this kind of project that involves and promotes closer collaboration between us and establishes stronger working partnership.
It is our hope and prayer that this closer collaboration and partnership we are already enjoying together will continue to grow strong and expand in the future so that the example already set here today by MOA will become a landmark that museums in other metropolitan countries can follow as well.
PIMA’s mission is to work together through its network within the region to preserve, celebrate and nurture the heritage of the peoples of the Pacific Islands but today’s event has demonstrated that this has been extended further abroad through MOA. Today’s event has also set a new historic landmark that will remain with us of the fact that even though our cultures, languages, skin colour, religious beliefs and nations may be different, diverse and complex, yet we can celebrate together without fear and reservation because we are one people.”