MANA

We acknowledge the spiritual and cultural power of the Pacific Islander
community to determine their social and political futures in advancing justice locally,
nationally and in our Oceanian homelands.

Va Tapuia

We are committed to establishing deep and accountable communities through building strong global Pacific Islander coalitions and networks between our Melanesian, Micronesian & Polynesian communities and uniting our political voice.

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Kotahitanga

We are a united body, and we affirm all members of
our unified body which includes members of our queer & trans Pasifika family.
We are an inter-generational community that also honors the sacred roles of our elders and highest value of our children.

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PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION of WA

LEARN ABOUT OUR MISSION

The Pacific Islander Community Association (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. The 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.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SOLIDARITY

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 to resist, build and thrive. We are Kanaka Maoli, Samoan, Tongan, Mashallese, Chamoru, Palauan, Kosraean, Maori, CNMI, I-Kiribati, I-Taukei, Niuean, Tokelauan, Yapese, Ponhpeian, Pingelapese, Chuukese, Tahitian, Chuukese, Tokelauan, and the many other colorful Pasifika nations that make up our family.

WE BELIEVE IN BUILDING TOGETHER

Kotahitanga or unity drives our work. We work across the diversity of our Pacific Islander communities and ensure 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, and struggle together. Our collective advocacy is stronger than our individual silos.

OUR VOICE IS OUR LIBERATION

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.

PASIFIKA AFERIKA SOLIDARITY

Pasifika Aferika Solidarity is a movement to foster solidarity between the Pasifika Diaspora and the African Diaspora in identifying and addressing anti-blackness, creating spaces to learn anti-racism and anti-colonial organizing tools, learn together from each other’s history of organizing and resistance against white supremacy and continue to build strong bonds of humanity together.

The image depicts the sacred intimacy of our Pasifika & Aferika peoples and we will continue to build on this sense of family in rejecting our false divisions. It is the depiction of honihoni, sogi, hongi, which is a traditional greeting of most Pasifika peoples to share in one breath.Our shared breath connects all of us.

Our dialogues are grounded in the anti-racist principles adopted from the People’s Institute, and we focus on these principles to shape our discourse as we grow in accountability with one another. We invite you into this sacred space that centers truth and love.

PICA-WA FUNDING-CAMPAIGN

Our work is intimately connected to your partnership. Thriving Pasifika communities lead to thriving communities for all Washingtonians. Our PICA-WA funding campaign for our 2021 programming will only enhance the visibility of our NHPI/Pasifika/Pacific Islander communities, foster leadership development and collaboration, and create cultural space for our people to belong. Help us raise these critical funds.