Two communities are in conflict

"We have paid our dues," the immigrants object, noting that they brought water and electricity to the community and built the new school.

How can this clash be resolved? In a Congress 2001 discussion group, "Communication and Indigenous Peoples," Pacific Islanders offered a role-play in which they brought traditional values to bear. Then, in conversation with their audience, they suggested learnings for any conflict resolution.
The immigrant and resident chiefs, speaking through their spokespersons, sit together on the ground with their wives and the local pastor to talk things through.

When the chiefs hit a stalemate, their wives slip away to wash clothes together at the river. They share with each other their husbands’ characters and concerns, then go back to offer new insights to their husbands.

"There has been intermarriage between our two groups," they report, "and the future of our children and grandchildren is at stake." Along the way, the pastor urges the immigrants and residents to keep talking.

At long last, the two sides reach an understanding and celebrate by drinking, singing, dancing and feasting together.

Pacific Islanders at congress enact a drama

Reflecting on how traditional values can enhance any conflict resolution, Ming-Ya Tu’uholoaki of Fiji, who moderated the session, said a precondition for conflict resolution is "readiness to go into dialogue."

Rochus Tatamai from Papua New Guinea, who played the role of the residents’ chief, added, "Coming out of this drama is the value of talking, patience, respect and valuing the humanity of the other. In the long run, it’s less expensive to talk."

He counseled: "Keep talking. Celebrate every positive step. Be patient. Give and take. Work for what’s best for all."

Viliami Falekaono of Tonga, the immigrants’ chief, noted that Western culture has introduced a legal system in which one party is judged "right" and the other "wrong." In contrast, in traditional culture, "both are right but one is more right, and the less right compensates the more right."

At the same time, crimes must be judged. For example, commented Koila Costello-Olsson of Fiji, who played the resident chief’s wife, "In crimes against women, sometimes traditional culture can stop the process of justice. We need both reconciliation at this level, and judgment at the legal level."

She offered two additional words of counsel, especially for long-running, complex conflicts with hidden agendas, such as exploitation of mineral resources.

"We are urging that women – traditionally active in the background – be more in the forefront," she said. Women often take the first step toward reconciliation, she noted, citing women’s vigils in Fiji and visits to armed camps in the Solomon Islands, where they "spoke to the boys and asked them, ‘What are you doing? You risk leaving your family without a breadwinner.’"

Finally, she said, "Pay attention to nonverbal communication. People’s deeds should match their words. Raise questions when what they say and do is different."