If so, then such values would certainly complement the broad evolving Indonesian national character, still “a work in progress” despite the passage of 76 years since the Indonesian proclamation of independence.

In revealing a profile of Papuan values, one must first consider what questions Papuans might regard as essential to be asked and answered. This is sound not only in terms of the complex field of human diversity but significantly it is also Indonesian government policy—from the very top.

In December 2015, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made these aspirations and intentions very clear when he said, “I want to listen to the people’s voices and I’m willing to open dialogue for a better Papua. The people of Papua don’t only need health care, education, and the construction of bridges and roads; they also need to be listened to.”

President Jokowi’s position was an acknowledgement that neither political remedies, such as the power sharing features of the Papuan People’s Assembly, nor infrastructure development, have substantially advanced the idea of national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) as it relates to Papuan inclusion in the “big Indonesian family”.

There has been considerable research on the matrix of value systems across the international border in neighboring Papua New Guinea (PNG). This especially includes the Wantok (Tok Pisin for “one talk”) system, which characterizes not only common social, cultural, and personal ideals and principles but also illustrates the practical advantages of shared language and ethnicity, often confined by district or provincial boundaries or even geographic isolation.

This is further characterized by what might be considered universal PNG values such as “reciprocity” (exchange for mutual benefit) and “keeping time with the sun” (or an orientation toward the natural cycles of day and night rather than imposed time frames such as “nine to five”).

The PNG experience shows that when you ask someone respectfully what is important to them, such as what they value, you are asking because it matters. The question shapes what happens next. 

Steven Rick Elson Mara, or Steve, comes from Serui, Papua province. He was born and raised in Wamena but now lives and works in Jakarta. He is the Papua youth chairman of LIRA (the People’s Information Barn) and a founder of the Inspirational Young Papuan Organization.

Steve completed his elementary and junior high school studies in Wamena, and high school in Jayapura city. He is a graduate of the Jayapura Law School and holds a postgraduate degree in National Defense in the Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution program, Indonesia Defense University, Bogor. His passion is in diplomacy and dialogue which he sees as the best way to solve social problems. His dream is to one day do his PhD.

Steve is proud of Indonesia’s ethnic diversity, especially Papua’s 270 tribes and 300 languages. And he is especially proud of the natural beauty of his home province. When I asked Steve about his values, he answered that Papuans are known for their high level of tolerance and for their respect of culture, customs, and the power of nature.

“I am very happy when people from other ethnic groups in Indonesia respect my culture. Many Indonesians from other provinces who have lived in Papua for generations even love my culture more than their own. This makes me feel proud to be an Indonesian.”

Mariana Erny Buiney is an international relations education specialist with degrees from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta and the Australian National University. She now teaches in the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Cenderawasih University, Jayapura. Like Steve, Mariana hopes to continue her education to PhD level and has applied for an Australia Awards Scholarship.

Mariana believes that more than anything “family values” characterize Papuan culture. She says this value is based on the “extended intergenerational family” that ranges from distant cousins to great grandparents and mostly involves practical assistance and emotional support. She explains that a Papuan person’s identity, and even their self-esteem, is solidly grounded in the family.

Mariana says, “If we understand and respect each other’s values, ​​it means we can build good relationships. Besides, we can help each other if there are difficulties and especially work together for the common good. When other Indonesians respect my values, ​​it means my existence as a person is acknowledged and I feel part of the national family.”

Yohana Susana Yembise was born in the city of Manokwari, West Papua. From 2014 until 2019 she served as women’s empowerment and child protection minister, becoming the first female minister originating from Papua to serve in an Indonesian government. She then became the first female Papuan to become a professor in Indonesia (Cenderawasih University.) 

Her signature social program is known as “Three Ends” for ending domestic violence, ending human trafficking, and ending inequality of economic access to women. When you talk to Prof. Yembise you immediately sense that she has a contemporary perspective on Papuan values. This reminds us that values are never static and always changing and sometimes need to be challenged.

She says, “I'm not a politician, just an educator looking at the situation in Papua through my own eyes.”

Yembise makes the strong point that she considers herself to be of the same value as a man, however, as she also says, “Women in Papua are still subordinated through many social norms for example, a bride price or dowry. This restricts a woman’s human potential and must be changed.”

One of her other strong values is upholding the importance of consultation. She says, “The government must continue listening to the aspirations of the people. Papuans are a proud people who are shaped by the vast nature of their province. While I was serving as a minister, I carried out a program for empowering women and protecting children in Papua by involving traditional and religious leaders so that the community began to feel valued. Most importantly, they felt their views ​​were being considered as equal partners.”

Clearly Papuans like Steve Mara, Mariana Buiney and Yohana Yembise are proud Indonesian citizens with their own unique values-based contribution to the multi-ethnic Indonesian nation state project. And, as part of the new generation of Indonesian social policymakers, who are determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past, their ultimate question seems not to be, “How can Indonesia build Papua anew”, but rather, “How can Papua culture build Indonesia anew?”

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The writer is an Australian federal government registered lobbyist and principal consultant with Cultural Consulting.