Pouvanaa a Oopa
Encyclopedia
Pouvanaa a Oopa was a French Polynesia
politician
and Tahitian nationalist, who led a Tahitian
separatist movement against French rule, before being exiled
to France
in the late 1950s.
Tahitians and other French Polynesians refer to Pouvanaa as metua, which means "spiritual father." He remains an important symbol for the French Polynesian independence
or autonomy
movements.
. He was a veteran of World War I
, serving in the French military. Pouvanaa also worked as a "fried-potato vendor" and a carpenter
.
, Pouvanaa criticized people who profited financially from the war, and was placed under arrest in his native Huahine in 1942. Following the end of the war and the liberation of France, Pouvanaa continued to criticize French colonial rule in the islands.
He later founded his own political party
, the Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
, in October 1947 which advocated Tahitian nationalism and an end to French colonial rule.
Pouvanaa was first elected as a deputy
in the National Assembly of France in 1949, becoming the first French Polynesian to serve in the French Chamber of Deputies. He was further re-elected to the French National Assembly in 1952 and 1956, as part of an autonomy program for French Polynesia, which was known as the French Settlements in Oceania at the time.
He became the Vice President
of the local government administration of the islands in 1958. Under the slogan
of "Tahiti for the Tahitians; Frenchmen into the sea!", Pouvanaa's Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People swept local elections. He accused the government of France allowing the local economy
to deteriorate. As part of the local government, Pouvanaa and his supporters enacted French Polynesia's first income tax
, in order to gain more revenue from the local economy, which was dominated by ethnic French
and Chinese
businesspeople. A strike
by business leaders, and a riot
in Papeete, in which the French Polynesian assembly was pelted with stones, forced the government to repeal the income tax.
Pouvanaa was a strong advocate of in favor of independence for French Polynesia during the French Polynesian referendum of 1958, which was part of the French constitutional referendum
. He campaigned in favor of the "no" vote against the French constitution and in support of independence from France. However, the "No" vote was soundly defeated in the election, receiving only 35% of the vote. The "yes" campaign approving the new constitution won overwhelmingly in the islands by a 2-to-1 margin. Pouvanaa's side was defeated in the referendum largely due to continued fallout from the income tax controversy. French Polynesia remained a French territory.
in Papeete
. He was accused of leading unrest and trying to burn down the city. Oopa was found guilty and sentenced to eight years in prison and an additional fifteen years of exile
in metropolitan France
. However many historians now claim that Pouvanaa's trial
was a charade intended to rid the islands of a Tahitian nationalist likely to oppose French nuclear testing
in the Tuamotu Archipelago during the 1960s. French President Charles de Gaulle
pardoned
Pouvanaa in 1968 and he returned to French Polynesia.
, representing French Polynesia, in 1971. He continued to hold this office until his death in 1977.
Pouvanaa a Oopa died on January 10, 1977, in Tahiti
.
. The French Justice Department rarely grants new trials, only allowing retrials if new evidence is presented.
In 1982, the Pouvanaa a Oopa Monument was erected in Papeete in front of the Assembly of French Polynesia
. The memorial in memory of Pouvanaa became a rallying point for Tahitian during the French nuclear tests of 1995. Nearly one third of the Tahitian adult population gathered at Pouvanaa's memorial in July 1995 to protest against French nuclear detonations in the Tuamotu Archipelago. A street in Papeete, Avenue Pouvanaa A Oopa, is also named in his honor.
In July 2009, the Assembly of French Polynesia
unanimously passed a resolution
asking the French government for a new trial for Pouvanaa a Oopa.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and Tahitian nationalist, who led a Tahitian
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
separatist movement against French rule, before being exiled
Exiled
Exiled is a 2006 Hong Kong action crime drama film produced and directed by Johnnie To, and starring Anthony Wong, Roy Cheung, Francis Ng, and Simon Yam. The action takes place in contemporary Macau.-Plot:...
to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the late 1950s.
Tahitians and other French Polynesians refer to Pouvanaa as metua, which means "spiritual father." He remains an important symbol for the French Polynesian independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
or autonomy
Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
movements.
Early life
Pouvanaa a Oopa was born in 1895 in Maeva, on the island of HuahineHuahine
Huahine is an island located among the Society Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Leeward Islands group . The island has a population of about 6,000.-Geography:...
. He was a veteran of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, serving in the French military. Pouvanaa also worked as a "fried-potato vendor" and a carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
.
Politics
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Pouvanaa criticized people who profited financially from the war, and was placed under arrest in his native Huahine in 1942. Following the end of the war and the liberation of France, Pouvanaa continued to criticize French colonial rule in the islands.
He later founded his own political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, the Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People
The Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People was a political party in French Oceania/French Polynesia. The party was led by Pouvanaa a Oopa.-Political profile:Pouvanaa had been elected to the French National Assembly in 1949...
, in October 1947 which advocated Tahitian nationalism and an end to French colonial rule.
Pouvanaa was first elected as a deputy
Deputy (legislator)
A deputy is a legislator in many countries, particularly those with legislatures styled as a 'Chamber of Deputies' or 'National Assembly'.-List of countries:This is an list of countries using the term 'deputy' or one of its cognates....
in the National Assembly of France in 1949, becoming the first French Polynesian to serve in the French Chamber of Deputies. He was further re-elected to the French National Assembly in 1952 and 1956, as part of an autonomy program for French Polynesia, which was known as the French Settlements in Oceania at the time.
He became the Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of the local government administration of the islands in 1958. Under the slogan
Slogan
A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a political, commercial, religious and other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose. The word slogan is derived from slogorn which was an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm . Slogans vary from the written and the...
of "Tahiti for the Tahitians; Frenchmen into the sea!", Pouvanaa's Democratic Rally of the Tahitian People swept local elections. He accused the government of France allowing the local economy
Economy
An economy consists of the economic system of a country or other area; the labor, capital and land resources; and the manufacturing, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area...
to deteriorate. As part of the local government, Pouvanaa and his supporters enacted French Polynesia's first income tax
Income tax
An income tax is a tax levied on the income of individuals or businesses . Various income tax systems exist, with varying degrees of tax incidence. Income taxation can be progressive, proportional, or regressive. When the tax is levied on the income of companies, it is often called a corporate...
, in order to gain more revenue from the local economy, which was dominated by ethnic French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
and Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
businesspeople. A strike
Strike action
Strike action, also called labour strike, on strike, greve , or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Strikes became important during the industrial revolution, when mass labour became...
by business leaders, and a riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
in Papeete, in which the French Polynesian assembly was pelted with stones, forced the government to repeal the income tax.
Pouvanaa was a strong advocate of in favor of independence for French Polynesia during the French Polynesian referendum of 1958, which was part of the French constitutional referendum
French constitutional referendum, 1958
A constitutional referendum was held in France on 28 September 1958. Voters were asked whether they approved of the adoption of a constitution for the French Fifth Republic written by Charles de Gaulle. It was overwhelmingly approved, with 82.6% in favour...
. He campaigned in favor of the "no" vote against the French constitution and in support of independence from France. However, the "No" vote was soundly defeated in the election, receiving only 35% of the vote. The "yes" campaign approving the new constitution won overwhelmingly in the islands by a 2-to-1 margin. Pouvanaa's side was defeated in the referendum largely due to continued fallout from the income tax controversy. French Polynesia remained a French territory.
Exile in France
In 1958 prosecutors charged Pouvanaa, a supporter of the Tahitian independence movement, with arsonArson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
in Papeete
Papeete
-Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront esplanade*Bougainville Park -Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront...
. He was accused of leading unrest and trying to burn down the city. Oopa was found guilty and sentenced to eight years in prison and an additional fifteen years of exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
in metropolitan France
Metropolitan France
Metropolitan France is the part of France located in Europe. It can also be described as mainland France or as the French mainland and the island of Corsica...
. However many historians now claim that Pouvanaa's trial
Trial
A trial is, in the most general sense, a test, usually a test to see whether something does or does not meet a given standard.It may refer to:*Trial , the presentation of information in a formal setting, usually a court...
was a charade intended to rid the islands of a Tahitian nationalist likely to oppose French nuclear testing
France and weapons of mass destruction
France is known to have an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. France is one of the five "Nuclear Weapons States" under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; but is not known to possess or develop any chemical or biological weapons. France was the fourth country to test an independently...
in the Tuamotu Archipelago during the 1960s. French President Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle was a French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. He later founded the French Fifth Republic in 1958 and served as its first President from 1959 to 1969....
pardoned
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
Pouvanaa in 1968 and he returned to French Polynesia.
Later life
Pouvanaa campaigned for and was elected to the French SenateFrench Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the Parliament of France, presided over by a president.The Senate enjoys less prominence than the lower house, the directly elected National Assembly; debates in the Senate tend to be less tense and generally enjoy less media coverage.-History:France's first...
, representing French Polynesia, in 1971. He continued to hold this office until his death in 1977.
Pouvanaa a Oopa died on January 10, 1977, in Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
.
Legacy
Pouvanaa's family requested a new trial in 1988, though their request was denied by the French Justice Department in ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. The French Justice Department rarely grants new trials, only allowing retrials if new evidence is presented.
In 1982, the Pouvanaa a Oopa Monument was erected in Papeete in front of the Assembly of French Polynesia
Assembly of French Polynesia
The Assembly of French Polynesia is the unicameral legislature of French Polynesia, located at the Place Tarahoi in Papeete, Tahiti. It consists of 57 members who are elected by popular vote and by proportional representation in 6 multi-seat constituencies. The only official language of the...
. The memorial in memory of Pouvanaa became a rallying point for Tahitian during the French nuclear tests of 1995. Nearly one third of the Tahitian adult population gathered at Pouvanaa's memorial in July 1995 to protest against French nuclear detonations in the Tuamotu Archipelago. A street in Papeete, Avenue Pouvanaa A Oopa, is also named in his honor.
In July 2009, the Assembly of French Polynesia
Assembly of French Polynesia
The Assembly of French Polynesia is the unicameral legislature of French Polynesia, located at the Place Tarahoi in Papeete, Tahiti. It consists of 57 members who are elected by popular vote and by proportional representation in 6 multi-seat constituencies. The only official language of the...
unanimously passed a resolution
Resolution (law)
A resolution is a written motion adopted by a deliberative body. The substance of the resolution can be anything that can normally be proposed as a motion. For long or important motions, though, it is often better to have them written out so that discussion is easier or so that it can be...
asking the French government for a new trial for Pouvanaa a Oopa.