Kelera Oli, a proud member of the Solomon Islands community, was deeply moved on Thursday when she came across a photograph of her late father at a National Archives booth in Suva. This encounter took place during a two-day event commemorating the 160th anniversary of Melanesian laborers’ arrival in Fiji, which evoked poignant memories for Ms. Oli and honored her father’s significant impact.
Her father, Luke Oli, worked tirelessly as a schoolteacher during the late 1900s—a time when Fiji’s Melanesian population faced colonial injustices. He was dedicated to educating youth at St Paul’s Primary School in Naviavia, Wailevu West Cakaudrove, and at St John’s College, created specifically for the Melanesian community. Over the years, Luke Oli’s family moved frequently before ultimately settling in Suva.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Ms. Oli shared her experiences with discrimination due to her Solomon Islander heritage, especially when she transitioned to life in Suva. She attended Adi Cakobau School, an all-girls boarding school, which presented challenges in terms of fitting into her new environment. “With my Solomon Islands heritage, I was often seen as an outsider,” Ms. Oli recalled. Despite these hurdles, she found strength in her father’s emphasis on education as the key to personal advancement and resilience.
Encountering her father’s image during the event reignited a sense of hope and connection to her roots. “Although he’s no longer with us, his values and teachings shaped who I am today,” she expressed, reflecting on the profound lessons instilled in her and her siblings. Ms. Oli noted that the commemoration brought a renewed sense of belonging—not just to her own heritage but also to the broader Melanesian community.
The event also highlighted the historical context of Solomon Islanders in Fiji. The last group arrived in 1911, with many initially fulfilling three-year contracts before deciding to stay and create communities primarily in Levuka and Suva. Unlike in Australia, where Solomon Islander populations were mostly deported, those in Fiji were permitted to remain but often faced marginalization, lacking secure land ownership and acknowledgment within society.
Today, descendants like Ms. Oli continue to honor this legacy of resilience, working to ensure that the contributions and cultural heritage of their ancestors are recognized and integrated into Fiji’s social fabric. This ongoing journey towards recognition and empowerment is a testament to the strength of the Melanesian community and the bright future that lies ahead, built upon the foundations laid by their forebears.
Leave a comment