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Samoana student represents Am Samoa & Fiji at IAC Conference

Bainivalu Davetawalu with Am Samoa flag
Source: Finafinau press release

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoana student and environmental advocate, Bainivalu Davetawalu, who was born in American Samoa and is a proud member of the Fijian community was chosen to represent both countries at the three-day Intertribal Agriculture Council Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 6-8, 2022. 

Bainivalu, a student leader in the environmental organization Finafinau, was selected and awarded a full-paid travel scholarship by the Intertribal Agriculture Council board after competing in an annual essay contest.

His essay centered on creating a plan to address food security and the quality of food sources available in local communities. He was the only student from a Pacific island and was selected alongside 30 other high school students from indigenous tribes across the nation. Bainivalu is the second student to represent American Samoa and the first representing Fiji to attend the Intertribal conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada on

The Intertribal Agriculture Council (IAC) is a Native-founded organization whose main goal is to pursue and promote the preservation, development, and use of natural agricultural resources for the advantage of indigenous communities. 

The focus of Bainivalu's essay was on issues involving imported goods, such as fruits and vegetables; the quality of meat products, primarily pigs and chickens; and the issues of obesity and high blood pressure brought on by the strong Western influences on Pacific culture. He suggested that developing plant nurseries, expanding agricultural programs to encourage youth to regularly engage in land stewardship, and enhancing agricultural education in schools to promote farming at a young age are some potential solutions to these problems.

A flag-bearing ceremony was held on the first day of the conference, at which Bainivalu carried both the American Samoan and Fijian flags.

The 2023 Native Farm Bill update was covered in general session at a luncheon attended by participants in the high school youth essay competition and members of indigenous tribes. In the youth track session that followed the second day of the conference, Native tribal members and the United States Department of Agriculture personnel (USDA) gave talks and workshops on resume building, what employment across a food system looks like, a comprehensive strategy to advance adoption of soil health systems, meat and poultry processing capacity, and everyday sustainable agriculture practices by learning to make hot honey and traditional teas.

On the conference's final day, speakers emphasized the opportunities for young people to participate in agricultural internships as well as for college professionals, who work as summer interns for the IAC.  

During the Intertribal Agriculture Council Conference in Las Vegas, NV, earlier this month Bainivalu said he hopes to use this experience and newly gained knowledge to fuel his work at the school and territorial level as a youth leader in environmental advocacy. courtesy photo]

 “I ought to emphasize to my community that change is possible now more than ever and that we possess the ability to reconstruct our way of life with regard to our agriculture," says Bainivalu. "With that, we can leave this life knowing that our community is in good hands.”  

Bainivalu had the opportunity to network with Native farmers and USDA officials about the issues affecting his local community. Additionally, he spoke on behalf of Finafinau, the nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka that promotes environmental resilience, leadership development for youth, and land stewardship, for which he serves as the president of both the national student council and the chapter at his school.  In all, Bainivalu hopes to use this experience and newly gained knowledge to fuel his work at the school and territorial level as a youth leader in environmental advocacy.