Ancestral Voyaging School Alliance

Pacific Traditions Society (PTS) is a small non-profit organization with educational purpose, based in the USA. The project began in 1988, when PTS was registered as a 501c3 non-profit with research and educational purpose.  In 1993 a Master Navigator of Taumako, Te Aliki Koloso Kaveia,asked for outside support from Kaua`i-based anthropologist and sailor, Dr. Mimi George. PTS functions by answering requests for help by local experts in ancestral voyaging knowledge and culture who want to revive traditional education of youths. In 1993 the request from Te Aliki Kaveia started the PTS effort to co-create the Vaka Taumako Project as a research project in the Solomon Islands. Now PTS functions as a Consultant of the Holau Vaka Taumako Association, a registered charitable organisation based at Taumako. In 2024 PTS won a grant from the Gerda Henkel Stiftung Foundation and began administering that in support of both HVTA and the Pasana Wooden Boatbuilding School of Pasana Group, at Basilaki Island, Papua New Guinea.  PTS is working to find and give support to 54 other communities start their own revivals of ancestral voyaging schools and related projects that center on teaching ancestral voyaging knowledge to youth and possible collaborations with outside groups with common priorities.  PTS and AVSA is growing a global network of voyaging schools and communities. We need support for that aim.