The newly-constructed Vale ni Bose Levu Vakaturaga in Draiba, Suva, stands not just as a physical structure, but as a metaphor for the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) itself – rooted in tradition, yet rising with renewed purpose.
As I walked into the hallowed meeting space for the first time, its polished vesi timber and woven motifs whispered of resilience, echoing the journey of our iTaukei leadership, since the council’s reinstatement in 2023. For me, this fourth GCC meeting was deeply personal, a culmination of reconnection, after decades abroad and a testament to the quiet, steadfast wisdom that defines our vanua.
A journey of
reconnection
My absence from Fiji between 1988 and 2022 meant I missed pivotal chapters in the GCC’s story – its abolition in 2012; the fraught debates over itaukei rights; and the simmering tensions between modernity and tradition. When I attended my first GCC meeting on Bau Island in 2023, I was an outsider in many ways: a chiefly son returning with global perspectives, but disconnected from the rhythms of vanua diplomacy.
Over four meetings, however, the warmth and gravitas of my fellow chiefs have reshaped my understanding. In Bau, I learned to listen to the cadence of vakaturaga protocols, the unspoken hierarchies, and the layered meanings behind every presentation.
This year, in Suva, the dynamic shifted. Familiar faces greeted me with nods of recognition; debates felt less like formalities and more like collaborations.
As Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, the GCC chair, often reminds us: “Na leqa e sega ni na qai la’ki cegu” (Problems will not solve themselves). Our discussions now carry the weight of shared purpose.
Ro Teimumu’s clarion call
The opening of the Vale Ni Bose ceremony by the Marama Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, was a masterclass in leadership. Her address – a blend of historical reverence and urgent pragmatism – set the tone.
“The GCC is not a relic,” she declared, “but a compass.” Her words resonated with themes I have long championed in my writings: the GCC’s relevance lies not in clinging to the past, but in reimagining its role as a bridge between iTaukei aspirations and Fiji’s pluralistic future. Critics often reduce the GCC’s mandate to land disputes or ceremonial functions.
Yet, as I have argued on this medium’s threads, its true power lies in its ability to curate cultural continuity.
The GCC is both archive and architect, preserving vakavanua values while drafting blueprints for inclusive progress. This duality was palpable in Suva this week.
Decisions that define a generation
Three resolutions stood out, each addressing fractures in our societal fabric:
1. Land & Legacy: Modernising the Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB)
The overhaul of the iTaukei Land and Fisheries Commission (TLC) is long overdue. For 119 years, its records have been plagued by ambiguities — disputes over vasu rights, overlapping boundaries, and the exclusion of urban iTaukei. Digitising the VKB isn’t just bureaucratic housekeeping; it’s an act of justice. As a fellow chief noted: “When your name isn’t in the vola, your voice isn’t heard.” Decentralising TLC services and deploying youth-led survey teams could finally reconcile customary law with 21st-century realities.
2. Youth Infusion: The GCC’s ‘Quiet Revolution’
The secretariat’s expansion signals a paradigm shift. By recruiting young iTaukei experts in law, economics, and digital communication, the GCC is investing in generational translation – making tradition accessible to TikTok natives. This mirrors my own advocacy for “dialogue across decades,” where elders provide context and youth inject innovation. One proposal I found inspired: a GCC podcast series narrated by young chiefs, breaking down complex resolutions into bite-sized, bilingual episodes.
3. Constitutional Reform: A Return to First Principles
The unanimous call to review Fiji’s 2013 Constitution was a defining moment. As Ratu Viliame asserted, the document’s marginalisation of iTaukei rights has stifled progress – a view I’ve echoed since my return. I have previously stated that a constitution that silences the vanua’s voice is like a canoe with no rudder; it drifts, directionless. While legal hurdles remain, the GCC’s resolve hints at a broader strategy: leveraging moral authority to sway public opinion.
The wisdom of matanitu: Where silence speaks
A revelation from this meeting was the depth of insight shared in smaller matanitu forums. In Burebasaga’s closed-door sessions, chiefs who often withhold commentary in plenaries, spoke with startling clarity. One chief dissected the drug crisis with the precision of a epidemiologist: “Our youth aren’t lost; they’re unanchored. Rebuild the vakasala (advice) rituals, and the rest will follow.”
Another proposed partnering with tech firms to create virtual vanua hubs for diaspora youth – an idea I plan to champion. These exchanges embody what I call “silent wisdom” – the GCC’s unique alchemy of patience, observation, and strategic timing. Unlike parliamentary theatrics, our deliberations prioritise consensus over confrontation.
A marathon, not a sprint
The marathon analogy resonates deeply with me. In a world craving instant solutions, the GCC’s deliberate pace can be frustrating. However, as I mentioned during one meeting, “you can’t hashtag your way to cultural preservation”. Our new training programs for chiefs, tackling pressing issues like governance and conflict mediation, exemplify our long-term approach. After 16 years of operating under the constraints of the previous regime’s sunset clause, we are rebuilding our institutional strength and it’s a journey worth taking.
A beacon in the vale
His Excellency the President’s closing statement invoking divine guidance, was a poignant reminder of the GCC’s spiritual dimension. The Vale ni Bose Levu Vakaturaga, rising from the ashes of its predecessor, now embodies this duality: a space where yaqona bowls and Wi-Fi routers coexist. As I left Suva, Ro Teimumu’s refrain echoed in my mind: “Vakadonui, vakadonui, ka na yaco” (Little by little, till we succeed). The GCC’s rebirth is neither a victory lap nor a retreat into nostalgia. It is a pledge – to honour the past without being imprisoned by it, to lead by serving, and to ensure that every iTaukei child sees their future reflected in the council’s resolve.
Epilogue
To those questioning the GCC’s relevance, I invite you to consider this: the GCC’s unique blend of traditional wisdom and modern insight enables it to navigate the complexities of our changing world. Like a vessel charting stormy seas, the GCC keeps the vanua’s compass steady, blending ancestral knowledge with contemporary challenges. Its effectiveness may not be visible to all, but its impact is felt throughout our communities. As for me, I will continue walking my tightrope – global citizen, local chief – trusting that tradition and progress, like the Vale’s timber beams, are stronger when woven together.
The newly refurbished Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) building in Nasese, Suva. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
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Tui Suva, Ratu Sanaila Mudunavosa (second from left) at the GCC meeting venue in Suva, on Thurs 22 May 2025. Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU
Nadroga/Navosa rep ratu Iliesa Naitauniyalo (middle) waiting for transport at the GCC meeting venue in Suva, on Thurs 22 May 2025. Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU
Ro Nauludole Mataitini at the newly opened GCC Complex in Nasese, Suva on Tuesday, 20th May 2025. Picture: KATA KOLI
Ro Teimumu Kepa leaves the GCC meeting venue in Suva, on Thurs 22 May 2025. Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU
Members of the Great Council of Chiefs outside the meeting venue after the final day in Suva, on Thurs 22 May 2025. Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU
Great Council of Chief (GCC) chairman, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula speaks to the media during the press conference at the newly refurbished GCC building in Nasese, Suva on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
