About Manukoreri.Net
Greetings! My name is Nick Chesterfield. I am a journalist, grassroots security analyst and citizen media activist and trainer who stands up for the rights of Indigenous Peoples across the Asia-Pacific Region, specifically focusing on Melanesian issues.
Some of my services include Independent investigative Human Rights & Human Security Journalism, Consultancy, Field Investigations, Citizen Media & Civil Resistance training, Strategic Planning and Advocacy across Melanesia, Australia & the Pacific
If you need to know anything at all about me in the public domain, please just google me, and you should get a rough idea of what I get up to.
This site is dynamic and currently under construction.
So what is Manukoreri?
Manukoreri is an amalgam name that symbolises the connection of my heritage and way of life to the struggle for indigenous liberation and respect, especially in the Melanesian region. Manu comes from a highly honoured name given to me in ceremony by Elders of the Guugu-Yalanji Baama of the jungle of Far North “Queensland”. The full name – Bubumanu – means “the neck of the land”. As in messenger, the pathway of nourishment and conduit between head and heart. It is a name I wear with pride.
Koreri, of course, is a Biak name for the law belonging to the Morning Star. The Morning Star is the most sacred symbol for all Melanesians, one that unites us all in a common identity, our ancestors. It is a story that unites our Land as it was before the waters rose only 8000 years ago, a very sacred story. It tells the stories of our songlines and helps us navigate. It guides our messengers and our travellers. It allowed our fishermen to come home from hundreds of kilometres out to sea. It enabled our ancestors to populate the ocean of peace – The Pacific.
The Manukoreri logo shows the connection clearly. It is of our land before the waters separated us, and shows the key sacred dreaming of our one land. One People, One Land, One Soul.
Manukoreri is about bringing that all back together, to enjoy peace and prosperity with sustainability and respect for the Land from which we come.
“….Nick Chesterfield, among the most energetic activists for the West Papua cause and a regular commentator on Papua in Australia’s mainstream media.”
September 2006, Rodd McGibbon, Deputy Director, Office of National Assessments
Hi Nick,great to see your new site. I am currently working on Adelaide Stop The Intervention Group ASTIG and yindjibarndi.org.au A massive controversy has broken here over andrew forrester stacking a Fortescue Metals Group and trying to cheat the Yindjibarndi people out of almost their entire CountryCheck out the one generation site. Thank you for your sites on the Free West Papua Movement. best of luck to you all xo
April 12, 2011 at 01:27
Hi Nick! Some of us are thoroughly inspired by your exploits to enable Melanesians to lift the bar and prove certain past observations and assumptions wrong. JFK said Papuans and therefore Melanesians were ‘rock – apes not capable of coming to terms with science and technology’. Not what Melanesia can do for you but what you can do for Melanesia. Your logo for http://www.manukoreri.net is a signature image – maker for the Pacific. Our ancestors are shifting in their graves in total approval. Cheers!
April 12, 2011 at 10:03
Thanks for those kind words. I just do what is right, because it is the right thing to do.
May 3, 2011 at 16:19
Hi Nick, Congratulations on the revamped website. Adam
April 13, 2011 at 13:19
Hello Mr. Chesterfield,
I am an anthropology student in Tacoma, Washington, and I have just recently heard about the situation in West Papua for the first time. What I have read has haunted me so badly, I have been furiously researching and trying to figure out what I can do to help spread awareness in my community.
If you ever have any spare time, I would love to do an online interview with you. My goal is to make as many contacts as possible who can provide reliable information and constructive input. I have found that a lot of information on the internet is inaccurate or disturbingly biased. Or, for that matter, hacked into and not even available anymore.
Please feel free to contact me via email at any time. I greatly look forward to hearing from you and I hope we can set up an interview.
Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Tracey McDonald
May 5, 2011 at 20:59
Good Afternoon Nick.
My name is Ian newton. I am one of the producer/presenters for RadioAdelaide 101.5fm weekly barometer program (tuesday nights 6 -7 cst), focussing on the environment and social justice issues. I would like to interview you, preferebly for tomorrow nights show. we could do a live phone in if that suits. I was seeking to give the listers a better understanding of the current situation in west papua. If you are unable to do tomorrow night then we may be able to organise a pre-record (around the middle of the day) or schedule you in for a future show.
I look forward to hearing from you
Ian newton
0457 065 705
8379 9360
May 30, 2011 at 16:12
Like it.
GBU.
July 31, 2011 at 20:25
Dear Nick.
Please send to me your details of translator requirement of Bahasa Indonesia.
Thx
March 22, 2012 at 13:09
hi Nick, you are doing a real great job. In fact, you are speaking out and showing the entire world on behalf of the silent and disadvantage majority that there are some human beings in this world that needs assistance and freedom to live a normal life just like anyone else. “IF YOU CANNOT DO IT THEN WHO ELSE WILL DO IT”….NO ONE WILL HAVE THE GUTS TO DO IT… I just want to say thankyou….Jaymo (Papua New Guinea)
March 31, 2013 at 15:48
hi Nick, am very interested in your work after reading thru. I have always wanted to work in an organisation like yours to help humanity in many different ways. am from Papua New Guinea in Australia now. my contact number is 0429803008. I will be more than happy to provide you with any kind of information should you need it.
Keep up the great work buddy….
March 31, 2013 at 15:57