Écrire / Writing : Poetry written by Déwé Gorodé Performed by Paul Wamo Taneisi & Lucile Bambridge

Abstract

Poetry written by Déwé Gorodé Performed by Paul Wamo Taneisi & Lucile Bambridge The poem ‘Writing’ is a gift to help navigate the lessons of our past, for our present and future generations on the importance of the interconnectedness of our environment with our humanity. The rich words of Déwé Gorodé are a legacy of her work and embodies a spirit of resilience that is present in all of the elements that she depicts and speaks beyond the page. There are echoes of defiance on the impacts of colonisation and how the ‘stone and earth’ will speak, when one cannot, which is a poignant reminder of how the power of ‘writing’ may serve as a witness to our relationship with our environment and each other, that transcends time and space for a new generation. Déwé Gorodé Poet, teacher, feminist, politician and visionary, Déwé Gorodé was an advocate for the rights of indigenous people and the status of women across the region and a beacon of Oceanic literature. She was one of the first Kanak women to study at university, gaining a degree in literature from Montpellier and setting her on a path of political action, to work for her people as a writer, and a teacher. On her return to New Caledonia, she became an activist, involved with the group 1878 and then with the independence movement, PALIKA. During this period, she was writing poetry, stories and novels. Déwé published her first book of poetry Sous les cendres des conques in 1985. Writing in French, English and her own language Païci, she was prolific throughout the 1990s, with collections of short stories – Utê Mûrûnûu (1994), L’Agenda (1996) and Le Vol de la Parole (2002) – and poetry collections, including Par les temps qui courent (1996), Pierre noire (1997) and Dire le vrai (1999). Later, she turned to novels such as L’épave (2005), Graines de pin colonnaire and Tâdo, tâdo, wéé! Lauded across France and the Pacific as an indigenous and feminist writer, she always directed her work towards the new generation: “I don’t write for myself. I write for the children, for the generations to come. I continue to talk to the young, for the younger generation is our future.” Déwé was elected to Congress in May 1999, one of the first women in the new legislature. Between April 2001 and June 2009, she was elected as Vice President; between 2004-07, President Thémereau and Vice-President Gorodé were the first two women elected to lead a government in the Pacific islands. Affected by ill health in her later years, she continued as a Minister of Culture, Citizenship and Women, seeking the post-conflict reconciliation required to create a “common destiny” for New Caledonia. Her death in August 2022 ended a courageous life as an advocate for the rights of indigenous people and the status of women across the region. Credits Conceived and Directed by Nicolas Molé Performed by Paul Wamo Taneisi and Lucile Bambridge Music and sound design by Paul Wamo Taneisi Audiomix by Harmonie Prod - polynesie Artwork by Nicolas Molé Read more about Nicolas Molé HERE Read more about Paul Wamo Taneisi HERE Pasifika Voices 2023 features a collection of gifted Pacific poets joined by indigenous artists to create an artistic, insightful, digitally enhanced offering in this curated series of three video poems. The Mana Moana - Pasifika Voices collection of video works was created to amplify and support the Pacific to drive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This collection is the third in a series that began in 2021. These poems have been gathered from our Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa to reflect the voices and experiences of our past and present Poets, providing offerings of wisdom and insight for a new generation. This initiative is supported by Aotearoa New Zealand and coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Storybox, with the support of Pacific Islands poets and artists, to amplify the Pacific voice at COP28. Series Credits Special Curator Audrey Brown-Pereira Directors/Mana Moana Curators Mike Bridgman & Rachael Rakena Music Director Laughton Kora Executive Producer Rob Appierdo Series Producer Amanda Walker Production Manager Andrew Croot Post Production Supervisor Ruth Korver Graphic Design Girish Parbhu Made with support from Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts, Massey University Produced by Mana Moana Collective and Storybox Thanks and acknowledgement to everyone involved in creating these works. Links www.sprep.org https://www.pasifikavoices.com