The restoration of the Great Council of Chiefs by the Fiji Government demonstrates its commitment to portraying it as the iTaukei symbol of their own identity and culture.
Speaking at the official reopening of the new Vale ni Bose complex, Ro Teimumu Kepa, the Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, said the GCC is regarded by the iTaukei as the traditional apex of the vanua — a vital institution that represents their culture, identity, and heritage.
She described the restoration of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) as a profound and symbolic moment for the iTaukei people, calling it a revival of their cultural identity and traditional leadership.
“For the indigenous people, the GCC is more than just an institution — it is a symbol of our identity and culture. It represents the traditional apex of the vanua, the heart of our way of life. We therefore made the decision that it must be restored,” she said.
Ro Teimumu reflected on the events of 2019, when the previous Vale ni Bose was destroyed by fire. At the time, she released a statement describing the fire as deeply symbolic — a reflection of the disbandment of the GCC under the former military regime.
“Despite it all, our hopes and aspirations remained. I had said then that a new Vale ni Bose would appear — that the flames lit the way for a new era for our people. I said this with a heart full of faith, even as an Opposition Member of Parliament under a government that had sidelined iTaukei governance,” she said.
She acknowledged the grace of God and the will of the people that led to the election of the Coalition Government in 2022, which honoured its manifesto commitment to legally reinstate the GCC and provide it with a new home.
“Today, we see that God’s plan prevails. We open the new Vale ni Bose — the phoenix that has risen from the ashes.”
Ro Teimumu also called on the GCC to develop robust policies and programs to train chiefs to navigate the complex social challenges facing the iTaukei community.
“The 16-year gap in traditional leadership has left a void. Our chiefs must be equipped to deal with issues such as the drug epidemic, rising cases of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and children, mental health, teenage pregnancies, and homelessness — social ills in which the iTaukei are disproportionately represented,” she said.
“There is no school curriculum that provides this training. Chiefs cannot do it on their own. Time is of the essence, and the GCC must now take up this responsibility.”