7.29.2022

Following the kick-off events for Stroll the Atoll 2022 this past week, the youth-focused ri-Majol  advocacy group Tōlemour held their second annual Youth Summit in the beautiful rooms of Crystal Bridges Museum. The Summit brought close to 50 ri-Majol teens and young adults together to talk about the many challenges growing up as a Pacific Islander in Arkansas today. The founder of Tōlemour, Moutina “Momo” Milne described the goals of the Summit as “Our goal is to create a safe place for Marshallese kids to share their ideas, thoughts, and opinions on issues that we don’t really discuss in community and family settings.”

After introductory videos and a welcome from an admittedly nervous Tōlemour member Daniel Petueli, the youth participants split up into breakout groups to have some “unconventional conversations” with each other. Discussion themes included less-often talked about issues for young Marshallese in Arkansas, including discuss mental health, career preparation, and how to balance Marshallese and American cultural values. Event organizers posed some challenging questions to the young people in attendance, touching on topics ranging from viral Facebook posts about immodest clothing, Marshallese deportations from the US, and whether or not playing video games is “unladylike” for girls.

Although shy at first, the youth eventually brought their own insights to the circle and began asking their own difficult questions. For Milne, hearing from Marshallese youth themselves was the greatest highlight of the event. Young people in attendance talked about their hopes and dreams for the future. But they were also honest about the issues they are facing now. Some, for instance, want to learn more about Marshallese history and culture, but have a hard time bridging the language and cultural differences at home. Others said they are thankful for their family’s support and less strict interpretations of manit in their new social setting. 

Alongside the youth sat a diverse panel who brought their own questions and insights from life’s challenges. Local ri-Majol professionals Oprah Leit and Hilma Keju talked about the difficulties of going off to college far away from home. Youth Pastor Paul Swington answered tough questions about the changes to Marshallese expectations of modesty pre-colonization and today. Community and disability rights activist Chris Balos shared his own journey growing up in California with fewer ri-Majol around, only later coming to understand Marshallese language and culture over time. Balos also noted how honored he felt sitting before the next generation of ri-Majol leaders. Likewise, Khaloud Sawaf, an artist and storyteller originally from Syria told the youth in attendance, “You are all very intimidating. And do you know why? Because you are the future.” 

As high heat gave way to heavy rains outside, the breakout sessions ended and the Summit continued with dinner, dances performed by the youth, and even a private tour of the museum’s current US Constitution exhibit. In a call later that week, Milne further expressed her gratitude, thanking all the speakers and the families that participated in the Summit. She assured me, Tōlemour members are already thinking about how to make next year’s Youth Summit even more of a success.