Fiji's President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere (front and centre) arrrives at Bau Island for the reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs. 24 May 2023 Photo: Fiji Government
Chiefs are to serve people and not to be served, Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere told the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) on Bau Island in Fiji on Wednesday morning.
The Council - regarded as the apex of traditional Fijian leadership and also accused of being a racist institution - was discarded by the former prime minister Frank Bainimarama following his 2006 military coup.
Today,16 years since it was removed, the GCC is returning under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's coalition government.
Ratu Wiliame Katonivere said the GCC is now challenged more than ever in their decision making as traditional leaders to safeguard, collaborate and promote inclusivity in the dynamics of an evolving Fiji.
He said the Turaga Tui Macuata, urged chiefs meeting for the first time in 16 years, to stand together in unity in their service, while expecting challenges and changes.
Ratu Wiliame said the chiefs meet today is a new dawn and they needed to welcome those who make up Fiji's multi-cultural society and have made the country their home.
"We are Chiefs in our own right - we have subjects, we are inheritors of our land, sea, and its flora and fauna. As we meet, we bring with us the hopes and the needs of our people and our land that depend on our vision in unifying our wise deliberations that shall lead to inclusive decisions that encompasses all that we treasure as a people and a nation," Ratu Wiliame said.
"As it reconvenes, the GCC must focus on two principles. Firstly, we need to be conscious of the existence of those who will challenge the status quo; and secondly, to encourage our people to work together for our advancement as a people, where no one is left behind," he said.
Listen to feature on Pacific Waves
Ratu Wiliame said the reinstatment of the council is happening at a critical stage in Fiji's development.
He said the challenge is for the chiefs to stand up and be counted by playing their roles that they were born into, reminding them of the words of the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna - a Fijian statesman - that being a chief is not an ornament.
"An ornament is adorned to be marveled and admired, or as a fashionable wear. Rather as chiefs we are bound by duty and responsibility that require our intentional and undivided attention," he said.
With this new beginning, it is paramount that we reflect on our traditional ties with one another as iTaukei, to the government of the day and to the church."
He said it is crucial that the reconvened GCC delivers on the purpose with which it was initially established; for the preservation of the iTaukei land, marine and natural ecosystem, guided by relevant legislations.
"The Great Council of Chiefs is duty-bound to safeguard, defend, liberate all-encompassing matters of all Fijians respecting the rule of law," Ratu Williame said.
Ratu Sukuna's legacy
Speaking to the gathering on Bau Island this morning Ratu Wiliame also referred to the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna.
"He was predestined for leadership that included military training and was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his gallant role in World War I under the French Foreign Legion.
"The preordained life of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna became the gateway to his life of servitude to his people, the land and the crown."
He said these were traits that the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was renowned for, a visionary, decisive and intellectual leader that is indicative only of a leader who is divinely anointed.
Ratu Sukuna was Fiji's older statesman and helped in setting up iTaukei leadership and land systems.
New vision and mission
Ratu Wiliame said it is therefore crucial that the Great Council of Chiefs, establish and build on its previous accomplishments and embark on a new vision and mission to be able to better navigate the new changes and developments as we chart our way forward.
He said their role as leaders remains to be the fiercest defender of Fiji's natural resources both on land and at sea, particularly with protecting their frontier from the current effects and impact of Climate Change.
He also called on chiefs to remember their role equally lies in encouraging itaukei and people to contribute to growing the economy and to promote economic empowerment and stability to better enhance their livelihoods.
"Should we want a better Fiji, it is pertinent that our younger generations are groomed in iTaukei protocol, leadership and all mannerism befitting a servant leader.
"The Great Council of Chiefs is now challenged more than ever in our decision making as traditional leaders to safeguard, collaborate and promote inclusivity in the dynamics of our evolving Fiji."
Ratu Wiliame acknowledged the Turaga na Vunivalu na Tui Kaba, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau for inviting the GCC to be held on Bau Island.
Ratu Epenisa is the paramaount chief of Fiji in his traditional title as the high chief of the Kubuna Confederacy.
The Fiji govt apologises (presented a matanigasau) for the actions of the previous govt and for any offence it had caused to the chiefs. Bau Island 24 May 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Kelvin Anthony
Forgiveness
The opening ceremony also saw the seeking of forgiveness from government and the Christian churches in Fiji for past events that had caused splits within the GCC and Fiji as a nation.
Goverrnment's traditional apology or matanigasau was presented by Apimeleki Tola, the acting Commissioner of the Native Lands Commission, and was accepted by the Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, the traditional head of the Burebasaga confederacy.
Tola asked the chiefs to forgive the past government and its decision to de-establish the GCC.
He also asked for their blessings and support in the work that government is doing for the people of Fiji.
Ro Teimumu accepted on behalf of the chiefs and urged government and civil servants to continue their service to the people of Fiji.
Two other apologies were presented and accepted.
The first was from the government to the church and religious leaders and the second from the religious leaders to the chiefs of Fiji.
The official opening ceremony was preceded by a church service conducted the President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma and full traditional Fijian ceremony of welcome.
The first official sitting of the Great Council of Chiefs in 16 years begins this afternoon at 2.30pm local time.