The Pacific Islander Community Association of WA (PICA-WA) is an organization that seeks to live out the indigenous values of the Pasifika communities here in Washington State through community organizing, political engagement, and speaking our truth fiercely to systems of power. Our mission is threefold: establish a cultural home, center community power, and further the wellness of our communities physically, culturally, socially and spiritually. Pasifika communities of Washington are a resilient community and while it has had to endure struggles in combating systematic erasure, Pasifika people will continue to rise!
In solidarity with the Indigenous Coast Salish people, and all Indigenous people, we will continue to perpetuate our culture and traditions. We remember the purpose handed to us from our tupuna, our ancestors, to resist, build and thrive. We are Kanaka Maoli, Samoan, Tongan, Mashallese, Chamoru, Palauan, Kosraean, Maori, I-Kiribati, I-Taukei, Niuean, Tokelauan, Yapese, Ponhpeian, Pingelapese, Chuukese, Tahitian, Tokelauan, Maori and the many other colorful Pasifika nations that make up our family.
Kotahitanga or unity drives our work. We work across the diversity of our Pacific Islander communities to build collaboration while addressing specific concerns and needs of each Pasifika community. We believe in one Oceania, where our peoples are not divided along lines of Polynesia, Micronesia, or Melanesia, but we build, strategize, struggle and celebrate together. Our collective advocacy is stronger than our individual silos.
PICA-WA is guided by the belief that our Pasifika communities are fully capable of healing ourselves. Only through equitable integration of our leadership and voices at critical decision-making tables can we ensure that systems and institutions are more responsive to our communities while establishing our own expansive tables to model what it means to move together with accountability and transparency.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Please see our COVID-19 Bulletin Page for our Pacific Islander Community Response.Learn more
