Fiji’s policy response to COVID-19 and the integration of Indigenous voices

Indigenous Peoples, such as Pacific Islanders have been identified as particularly vulnerable to the impacts of
COVID-19. Past research has focused on Indigenous Peoples as minority populations with less known about
countries like Fiji where the Indigenous population (iTaukei) are the majority. In this study we sought to assess
the inclusion of the Indigeneity (i.e., culture, traditions, Indigenous knowledge, worldview, and values) of iTaukei in
COVID-19 policies through the following steps:
1) identify key policy responses to COVID-19 in Fiji,
2) document
how these policies evolved over the pandemic, and
3) assess if and how iTaukei were considered in these responses and the impact of these policies on their lives.

Drawing on an analysis of policy documents (n = 74),
interviews (n = 11), and a focus group (n = 22), we characterized 11 key policy responses by the Government of
Fiji:
i) containment measures,
ii) economic support,
iii) prevention measures,
iv) vaccinations, v) medical
assistance,
vi) food security,
vii) COVID-19 testing,
viii) education,
ix) worker safety,
x) disaster management,
and xi) enforcement.
The nature of these responses altered in response to positive case numbers and vaccinations. There is no evidence the dimensions of iTaukei Indigeneity were included in the policy process highlighting the need to examine underlying political and power structures that may be silencing the voices of iTaukei.