Overview
This page lists Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner’s video poems and selected interviews/features, with brief context and links to full texts.
Context and Background
- Video poems are central to sharing her stories and artistic growth.
- First YouTube releases: Tell Them and History Project, filmed by Studio Revolt in 2012.
- Early works gained attention in climate activist, Pacific poets, scholars, and nuclear activism circles.
- Tell Them upload led to her 2014 UN Climate Summit Civil Society Speaker nomination.
- Subsequent filming and interviews include COP23 in Germany; page compiles latest-first video poems.
Video Poems
- Beached
- Rise
- Full poem, translations, and behind-the-scenes available at 350.org.
- Anointed
- Full poem available via a blog post.
- Monster
- Performed before the Genbaku Dome in Hiroshima; full poem and process on a blog post.
- Butterfly Thief
- Full poem and process detailed on a blog post.
- Islands Dropped from a Basket
- Full poem and process detailed on a blog post.
- Fishbone Hair
- Collaboration with College of the Marshall Islands Media Club; text appears in her book.
- Utilomar
- Full poem available on her site.
- Two Degrees
- Live performance from COP22 in Morocco to Democracy Now; full poem and process linked.
- Dear Matafele Peinam
- UN Climate Summit 2014 opening performance, includes opening statement; full poem linked.
- Dear Matafele Peinam
- Alternative cut featuring only poem and video imagery.
- Lessons from Hawaii
- Full poem linked on her site.
- History Project
- Full poem linked on her site.
- Tell Them
- Full poem linked on her site.
Video Poems Summary
| Title | Notes | Additional Details |
|---|
| Beached | Listed latest-first | |
| Rise | Full poem, translations, BTS at 350.org | |
| Anointed | Full poem via blog post | |
| Monster | Performed at Genbaku Dome, Hiroshima | Full poem and process via blog |
| Butterfly Thief | Full poem and process via blog | |
| Islands Dropped from a Basket | Full poem and process via blog | |
| Fishbone Hair | Collaboration with CMI Media Club | Text in her book |
| Utilomar | Full poem on site | |
| Two Degrees | Live at COP22 to Democracy Now | Full poem and process via site |
| Dear Matafele Peinam (UN Summit cut) | Includes opening statement | Full poem linked |
| Dear Matafele Peinam (poem-only cut) | Poem and imagery only | |
| Lessons from Hawaii | Full poem on site | |
| History Project | Full poem on site | |
| Tell Them | Full poem on site | |
Interviews and Features
- The Innovative City Forum
- Keynote delivered in Tokyo, November 2018.
- Interview with NHK World News
- Conducted following the Tokyo keynote; link provided.
- Marshall Islands Consulate
- Informal interview with cousin Tamera Heine in Hawaii.
- Okeanos Marshall Islands
- Film on expedition to Enewetak for Anointed; includes crew interviews.
- Democracy Now
- Interview with Amy Goodman alongside her mother at COP23, November 2017.
- Honolulu Biennial
- Artist talk film series for the 2017 exhibit.
- AJ+
- News video featuring lines from Tell Them performed at a 350 action at COP21, Paris.
- UN COP21 Feature
- UNFCCC video highlighting her work and COP21 performances.
- The Fourth Branch
- Interview with Micronesian media group based in Hawaii about her work.
Interviews and Features Summary
| Feature | Context | Date/Place |
|---|
| The Innovative City Forum | Keynote address | Tokyo, November 2018 |
| NHK World News | Interview post-keynote | Link provided |
| Marshall Islands Consulate | Informal interview with cousin | Hawaii |
| Okeanos Marshall Islands | Expedition to Enewetak for Anointed | Includes crew interviews |
| Democracy Now | Interview with Amy Goodman and her mother | COP23, Germany, November 2017 |
| Honolulu Biennial | Artist talk film series | 2017 exhibit |
| AJ+ | Video featuring lines from Tell Them | COP21, Paris |
| UN COP21 Feature | UNFCCC highlight of work and performances | COP21 |
| The Fourth Branch | Interview with Micronesian media group | Hawaii-based group |
Decisions
- Page curates all video poems, starting with the latest, and includes selected interviews/features.
Action Items
- Explore linked blog posts for full poems and process details.
- View external features for broader context on performances and activism.