Stories of our Heroes

On the 9th of November, FNMPP (Front Mahasiswa Dan Pemuda Papua) and Lembaga Advokasi & Bantuan Hukum held an activity of sharing the stories and profile of the Indigenous West Papuan Heroes and Martyrs that ares featured in the photo exhibition.

The next day, on the 10th of November, the IP Heroes Day Photo Exhibition was opened. The program of remembering the heroes and martyrs includes a candle lighting ceremony.

By lighting a candle, the youth and all the living aim to remember and honor the services of the fighters, and to carry on their spirit of struggle for self-determination.

Covering the event is journalist G. M. Kaliele reporting for Media Jubi, an independent news outlet in Papua. Read his beautiful reflection and views about the role of Indigenous journalists, the importance of remembering the heritage of our heroes, and fighting for the truth.

[Online translation from Bahasa to English]

"The mountain you climb, the river you cross — write with your heart. For an honest pen is sharper than a drawn sword. On this land, outsiders can never truly write with full feeling, for they do not understand the bitterness of the wind, the language of tears in the villages, nor have they ever touched the dust of the red earth roads where we stand.

We, Indigenous journalists, do not merely write news — we write history, we write pain, we write hope. Our writing is the breath of the forest, the voice of the sea, and the cry from the earth’s belly that continues to be mined without mercy.

Writing on this land is not about seeking fame, but about honoring the good name of our ancestors. It is not about chasing sensation, but about fighting for truth. For our pen is the witness of silenced voices, a light for those covered in darkness.

Do not be afraid to stand against the current, for truth is not always loved. Do not fear to write when many wish us to remain silent, for silence is another form of the death of conscience.

Remember, this land does not need journalists who look great on screen, but those who are honest in the field. It does not need writers who speak well, but those who dare to speak the truth. Because writing upon our own homeland is a sacred duty — to guard heritage, defend dignity, and ignite the flame of awareness for generations to come.

The mountain may be high, the river may be strong, but a sincere heart will always find the way. For at the end of every story, there is truth waiting to be voiced. And as long as this pen continues to dance on paper, this land will never lose its voice.”

[Original version in Bahasa]

"Gunung kau daki, sungai kau seberangi menulislah dengan hati. Sebab pena yang jujur lebih tajam dari pedang yang terhunus. Di tanah ini, tak mungkin orang luar bisa menulis dengan sepenuh rasa, sebab mereka tak mengerti getirnya angin, tak paham bahasa air mata di kampung-kampung, dan tak pernah menyentuh debu di jalan tanah merah tempat kita berpijak.

Kita, jurnalis pribumi, bukan sekadar menulis berita kita menulis sejarah, menulis luka, menulis harapan. Tulisan kita adalah napas dari hutan, suara dari laut, dan jeritan dari perut bumi yang terus digali tanpa belas kasihan.

Menulis di tanah ini bukan perkara mencari nama, tapi menjaga nama baik leluhur. Bukan soal mengejar sensasi, tapi memperjuangkan kebenaran. Sebab pena kita adalah saksi dari suara-suara yang dibungkam, cahaya bagi mereka yang diselimuti gelap.

Jangan takut berdiri di antara arus yang melawan, sebab kebenaran memang tak selalu disukai. Jangan gentar menulis ketika banyak yang ingin kita diam, sebab diam adalah bentuk lain dari kematian nurani.

Ingatlah, tanah ini tidak butuh jurnalis yang hebat di layar, tapi jurnalis yang jujur di lapangan. Tidak butuh penulis yang pandai bicara, tapi penulis yang berani berkata benar. Karena menulis di atas tanah air sendiri adalah tugas suci — menjaga warisan, membela martabat, dan menyalakan api kesadaran bagi generasi yang akan datang.

Gunung boleh tinggi, sungai boleh deras, tapi hati yang tulus selalu menemukan jalan. Sebab di ujung setiap berita, ada kebenaran yang menunggu untuk disuarakan. Dan selama pena ini masih menari di atas kertas, tanah ini tidak akan pernah kehilangan suaranya."