Coming to the Mat

Language is the very anchor of identity, carrying the history and spirit of a people. From 1906 to 1980, the islands of Vanuatu were bound under an Anglo-French Condominium and historically called the "New Hebrides." As independence neared, a special committee was intentionally brought together to rename the country, reclaiming their identity and sovereignty through words that truly belonged to th...

Workplace sexual harassment isn’t just about unwanted advances or inappropriate jokes—it’s about power, control, and the violation of personal boundaries. It’s defined by its impact on the victim, not the intent of the perpetrator. Yet, it remains underreported, especially in environments where power imbalances make it difficult for victims to speak up. The effects are devastating, leading to anxi...

This episode introduces a new segment in our Coming to the Mat series, spotlighting climate change and other pressing issues reshaping the Pacific's political landscape, such as deep-sea mining. Recorded last year and released today, this timely discussion underscores the urgency of fostering awareness and dialogue at national and community levels. We are joined by Dr. Tarcisius Kabutaulaka , a re...

This year’s Human Rights Day theme, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” calls for urgent and collective action to address global human rights challenges. In this deeply moving episode of Coming to the Mat, we are honored to welcome Koteka Wenda—storyteller, cultural performer, and spokesperson for the Free West Papua Campaign. This conversation is raw and unfiltered, diving into the heart of Kote...

In this episode of Coming to the Mat , we’re excited to share with you the inspiring journey of Julie Qilabasa Alakalia , a Health Information System professional from the Solomon Islands. Julie, who works with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, has accomplished so much in her field. But behind the achievements is a story of self-doubt and the courage to step into lead...

This episode of Coming to the Mat with Dr. Mere Tari Sovick features Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment, a leading advocate for small island nations in the global climate movement. Recorded during Ralph’s transit back to Vanuatu from the Netherlands via Brisbane, the conversation highlights the urgent need for climate action in the Pacific. Ralph and Dr. Me...

In this episode of COMING TO THE MAT WITH Dr. MERE TARI SOVICK, we explore Vanuatu’s exceptional achievement of securing the number one spot on the Happy Planet Index (HPI) for the second time. This significant milestone, celebrated widely in Vanuatu and internationally, underscores the country's commitment to sustainable well-being and environmental stewardship. We delve into the details of Vanua...

In this episode of COMING TO THE MAT, hosted by Dr. Mere Tari Sovick, we spotlight Ms. Lydia Garae, a pioneering Ni-Vanuatu student in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program at Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan. Our podcast celebrates Pasifika women making impactful changes, and Lydia’s journey exemplifies this spirit. Lydia shares her experiences, from tackling language barriers and cu...

Welcome to 'COMING TO THE MAT,' on Pacific Diaspora in the Spotlight, where we dive deep into the lives and stories of Pacific islanders making waves in the diaspora. In today's episode for 2024, we're honored to explore the fascinating world of psychology with Gabrielle Tor, a compassionate student counselor on her journey to a Masters in Applied Clinical Psychology at Pacific University in the S...

In this episode of "COMING TO THE MAT '' titled "Breaking Barriers: The Journey of Malakai Obed," host Dr. Mere Tari Sovick puts the Pacific diaspora in the spotlight. She shares the incredible story of Malakai Obed, a young man living in Utah, USA, with roots in the island of Paama, Vanuatu. Malakai has made history as the first ni-Vanuatu to serve in the United States Marine Corps. Dr. Sovick de...

Welcome to another captivating episode of "Coming to the Mat" with your host, Dr. Mere Tari Sovick! In this episode, we have the honor of welcoming Ralph Regenvanu, a prominent advocate from Vanuatu, as our special guest. Ralph is a remarkable individual with diverse talents and passions, transcending the realm of politics through his roles as an esteemed artist and anthropologist. His unwavering...

In the final episode of our three-part podcast series, we discuss the Republic of Vanuatu's pivotal role in leading a coalition of countries seeking an Advisory Opinion on climate change from the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Our guests, Mr. Malcolm Dalesa and His Excellency Mr. Odo Tevi, both instrumental in the campaign's success, provide valuable insights into the initiative's strategy...

In the second episode, we hear from Solomon Yeo, who is the campaign director of Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change. Yeo is from the Solomon Islands and his concern for the environment and inequality originates from the devastating effects of climate change that he witnessed firsthand in his home country. He recognizes the pressing need to take action and has dedicated himself to advo...

The Coming to the Mat podcast series is a three-part collection of episodes that follows the journey of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. The series aims to highlight the inspiring stories of young people who are taking action to combat the devastating effects of climate change on their island communities. The series explores how these students, who come from 8 different Pacific Is...

An interview with MWT's representative in Vanuatu, Joana Bule about her experience having suffered through two category 4 cyclones in 2 days in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change: Advocating for Climate Justice and Human Rights - Solomon Yeo (campaign director) Solomon Yeo, a law student from the Solomon Islands, is the campaign director of Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change. His passion for addressing climate change and inequality stems from the devastating effects of climate change that he witnessed firsthand i...

Welcome to the Coming to the Mat podcast where we celebrate the stories, history, and perspectives of remarkable Pacific Island women. Each episode is an opportunity to explore new topics that highlight the rich cultural heritage of our Pacific Island nations, from Culture and Traditions to Health and Wellness, Economy and Business, and more. Join me, Dr. Mere Tari Sovick, as we embark on a journe...

In this first of two parts, we discuss Kava as the drink of the gods in the south pacific. Thank you to Kirk Huffman and Jason Sovick for their contribution to the discussion. Music Credits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xvwn45ida0 National Museum of Vanuatu Quote from Kirk Hauffman 'Kava is the Gifts of the Gods, the Spirits and the Ancestors to parts of the Pacific. It is nowadays also the Gi...

Episode 23 In this episode, we talk to Marylou Mahe who is the designer behind the MWT Facebook cover and the COMING TO THE MAT podcast. Ms. Mahe is an indigenous Kanak woman from Houaïlou in the Kanak country of Ajë-Arhö in New Caledonia. She considers herself a decolonial feminist designer, and an Educator of English literature who's passion is to show representation of the Kanak and Pacific Isl...

West Papuans have struggled for their freedom since they were annexed by Indonesia and  robbed of their right to a fair referendum in 1969. While the independence struggle continues, it is the voice of the West Papuan women that have gone unheard.   In this episode, we talk to one Indigenous West Papuan Activist, Esther Haluk to understand more about the compound plights the Papuan...

Episode 21 - One woman's quest to restore the Melanesian Hauskuk to its rightful place in a Modern setting, and deconstructing the Western Kitchen. “But for me, it went more than that. I realize that we need to restore the dignity of indigenous Melanesian Food Culture, or cuisine. Starting with my particular sub ethnic group. I say sub-ethnic group specially because obviously, Vanuatu like PNG has...

20. The Sea Women of Melanesia (SWoM)- Naomi Longa In this episode, we look at the role of Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge, and western science in Ecosystem-Based Adaptations especially when it comes to ​​marine conservation. Things like Human activity such as overfishing, and climate change have been known to cause coral bleaching. Overfishing causes the number of fish to plummet and slowly...

In many western countries progress is measured using GDP or Gross Domestic Product. GDP is the measure of all things produced within the borders of a country and then sold. Many countries have placed their hope that by measuring GDP they can follow the footsteps of western nations in lifting their populations into a better life. Since its inception, GDP has been criticized for many reasons, for ex...

What drives a person to overcome obstacles in life? We all know that life is going to give us challenges, struggles, and it will force us to face our own fears and realities and at the same time help us get a more clear perspective of our values and passion. Listen to an inspirational story about how one Pacific Island woman overcame her fear of shyness and obstacles in life to find her passion in...

Celebrating Pacific Island Arts and Creativity through storytelling in the 21st century. Since the beginning of Covid-19 lockdown, many Pacific Islanders found new ways to leverage the power of storytelling through creating podcasts. The inspiration for this is to pass on Pacific Island traditional knowledge and cultural values that inspires the younger generations. In this episode, we spoke to Mi...