Artist and storyteller Absalom Edwards works to bridge traditional Marshallese culture with contemporary narratives through film, photography, music, and digital media.
For the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, such as Absalom Edwards, the Pacific ocean is a life force.
Inhabited by Micronesians for millennia, and made up of 29 coral atolls, five main islands and many small ones, 98.13 percent of its territory is water, the largest proportion of water to land of any sovereign state.
The Pacific ocean provides Absalom not only a way to earn a living, but also an outlet for his creativity as an artist, storyteller, and advocate for his community.
“I currently serve as the Media Affairs Coordinator at the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA), where I lead public outreach and visual storytelling on marine conservation and sustainable fisheries,” Absalom says.
“As a creative artist, I work to bridge traditional Marshallese culture with contemporary narratives through film, photography, music, and digital media.”
Known artistically as Barab Harris, Absalom says much of his work is dedicated to amplifying the voices of the Marshallese Islanders.
“Under the name Barab Harris, I create music and digital projects that promote cultural pride, regional connection, and youth engagement, often exploring themes of climate resilience, cultural identity, and ocean stewardship,” Absalom says.
“Beyond my creative and professional work, I am an active climate change and nuclear justice advocate.”
Absalom actively participates in regional talanoa (dialogue) to advance environmental justice, strengthen youth leadership, and support cross-Pacific partnerships, he says.
“Through my storytelling, music, and advocacy, I aim to help shape authentic Pacific narratives and foster collaboration grounded in culture, community, and shared responsibility.”
In March, Absalom will join 29 other Young Pacific Leaders (YPL), in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand for the YPL Navigating the digital landscape workshop, with a focus on truth, transparency and technology.
The leaders, who hail from 20 Pacific countries, will take part in the four-day workshop, hosted by the United States Department of State and Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL), from March 10-13, 2026 – embarking on a journey, highlighting the power of Pacific storytelling through digital media.
Storytelling can take many forms, and the high calibre of successful applicants selected from over 200 candidates for the workshop, have a variety of backgrounds, from media and communications specialists to educators, researchers, health practitioners, digital entrepreneurs and visual artists.
Cohort to attend the March workshop:
- Wallace Aroita (Cook Islands)
- Julie Cooper (Niue)
- Aritika Burennara (Kiribati)
- Asia Camacho Hilario (CNMI)
- Camo Diaz Egurrola (Guåhan)
- Absalom Edwards (Marshall Islands)
- Clarriann Futai (Solomon Islands)
- Gina Ishmael (Vanuatu)
- Kreetika Kumar (Fiji)
- Gabby Langkilde (American Samoa)
- Jasmine Leota (Aotearoa New Zealand)
- Tony Leota (Samoa)
- Pita Loloma (Fiji)
- Magic Lus (Australia)
- Don Maifala (American Samoa)
- Lincy Marino (Palau)
- Michaela Montoya Gatdula (CNMI)
- Ondine Moyatea-Ferdnandez (New Caledonia)
- Dr Lavau Nalu (PNG)
- Jay Nasilasila (Fiji)
- Chelsea Pedro (Palau)
- Rain Sancher (FSM)
- Antonnia Singut (PNG)
- Penina Sua-loa (Samoa)
- Maria Tanner (Cook Islands)
- Tahnee Tchen (French Polynesia
- Esther Tetava (Cook Islands
- Pohaikealoha Worley (Hawai’i)
- Gitty Yee (Tuvalu)
- Kanoelani Toshida (Hawai’i)
Visit the Young Pacific Leaders website for more information about the US Department of State program.