We are the ocean and we must save ourselves | Hinano Murphy | TEDxBoston
The people of Oceania have a deep spiritual and physical connection to the ocean, steeped in the cultural significance of the living ocean as family. This perspective has kept generations of indigenous island peoples in balance with the natural world for centuries. The impact of climate change and the looming threat of deep-sea mining is an existential threat to these sacred marine ecosystems. Advocating for the integration of indigenous knowledge and practices can turn the tides. An example is the traditional Rahui system, a resource management practice that sets aside areas to allow for ecosystem recovery, a highly effective way to protect biodiversity and create community cohesion. This urgent call for global unity among indigenous communities and other experts invites us to work together to preserve the ocean. The demise of the ocean would be our own. Hinano Murphy is a widely recognized expert in Tahitian cultural history. She grew up on Moorea and Tahiti learning oral traditions from her elders. She worked in education as a school teacher and later in her career she served as a technical advisor to the government, developing Tahitian language/culture programs for the schools. She then became the associate Director of the UC Berkeley Gump Research Station and the President of the cultural organization Te Pu Atitia, where she founded the Atitia Cultural Center on Moorea. Most recently she is serving as the Cultural Director for Tetiaroa Society and the head of the Cultural Committee that advises on all cultural matters in Tetiaroa. Hinano is involved in many Polynesian cultural and conservation initiatives and among other commitments has talked about the Polynesian connection to the ocean at the 2019 World Oceans Day at the United Nations, and more recently at the IMPAC5 Congress in Vancouver. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 17:22From Child Bride to Changemaker | Phoolbasan Bai Yadav | TEDxDantewadaFrom child bride to women’s empowerment leader, Phoolbasan Bai Yadav shares her journey of transforming adversity into collective strength. She explains how grassroots movements and community spirit can rewrite destinies and create lasting change. Phoolbasan Bai Yadav is a Padma Shri awardee and grassroots leader who turned her journey from child bride to changemaker into a movement for over 200,000 women in Chhattisgarh. As the founder of Maa Bamleshwari Janhit Kare Samiti, she leads 12,000+ women’s self-help groups that work on health, education, sanitation, and livelihood initiatives. Her efforts have mobilized over ₹150 million in community-driven impact through micro-enterprises, social reform, and mutual support. Phoolbasan’s story is a powerful example of how determination and unity can transform entire communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 19:57What Losing My Legs Taught Me About Winning | Chitrasen Sahu | TEDxDantewadaDouble amputee mountaineer Chitrasen Sahu redefines resilience by conquering some of the world’s highest peaks. He shows why courage and determination are essential to breaking stereotypes and scaling new heights—both on the mountains and in life. Chitrasen Sahu, known as the “Half Human Robo,” is a para-mountaineer, national wheelchair basketball player, and disability rights activist. After losing both legs in a train accident, he became India’s first double amputee to scale Mount Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, and Kosciuszko. Through his initiative, Mission Inclusion, he empowers people with disabilities, fights for accessibility and representation, and has even driven policy change—helping amputees gain the right to drive. His journey is an inspiring testament to resilience and the human spirit. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 19:27We Are the Government — How a Village Took Charge of Its Own Future | Devaji Tofa | TEDxDantewadaVillage leader Devaji Tofa reveals how self-governance and environmental stewardship empowered his community. Through his story, learn why unity and grassroots activism can turn even the smallest village into a beacon of change. Devaji Tofa is the visionary tribal leader from Mendha (Lekha), Maharashtra, who pioneered India’s first village-led governance model. With the motto “Amchya Gavat Amhich Sarkar” (“We are the government in our village”), he empowered his community to secure rights over local resources—including becoming the first village in India to issue bamboo transit permits. Once a school drop-out and now a D.Litt. recipient, Devaji has become a national symbol of grassroots democracy, environmental stewardship, and indigenous empowerment. His legacy continues to inspire self-reliant rural transformation across the country. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 19:02Farming with Heart: How Organic Farming Changes Everything | Akash Badave | TEDxDantewadaFormer corporate professional turned organic farming activist Akash Badave reveals how returning to the land sparked a farming revolution in Dantewada. His talk shows why organic farming and empowering indigenous farmers are essential for sustainable livelihoods and cultural preservation. Akash Badave left a corporate career at Barclays to become a rural changemaker in Dantewada. As founder of Bhoomgaadi Organic Farmers’ Producer Company, he empowers 3,000 tribal farmers—many women—to practice organic farming and connect directly to urban markets. Since 2013, Akash has championed preserving indigenous crops, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and making Dantewada a 100% organic district. His work exemplifies how grassroots initiatives can transform agriculture and communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 15:46How Woodworking and Words Save Lives | Ajay Kumar Mandavi | TEDxDantewadaMaster calligrapher Ajay Kumar Mandavi shares how art can heal even the deepest wounds. Through his work with former inmates and ex-rebels, he reveals why creativity and mentorship are powerful tools for redemption and transforming lives. Ajay Kumar Mandavi is not just an artist—he’s a transformer of lives. A master of wooden calligraphy art, he has spent over a decade teaching his craft to inmates in Kanker Jail, many of whom were once involved in the Naxalite movement. But his role goes beyond art; he is a mentor, counselor, and guiding light, helping prisoners find purpose, peace, and a path back into society.Through his Shanta Art initiative, he has empowered hundreds of former inmates, turning ex-rebels into skilled artisans who now create intricate wooden masterpieces instead of wielding weapons. His journey proves that art can heal, redemption is possible, and second chances can carve out a whole new future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 7:21How women can shape the future through the digital revolution | Chinyere Uchendu | TEDxMaitama WomenIn this timely and empowering talk, Chinyere Uchendu—widely known as SixFigureMom—explores how women across the globe can harness the power of the digital revolution to reshape the future. With refreshing clarity and an unapologetic passion for impact, Chinyere unveils the limitless possibilities that lie in remote work, AI, and digital entrepreneurship—especially for women navigating the complexities of work, family, and purpose.Drawing from her own journey as an AI Automation Specialist, digital marketing expert, and mother of three, Chinyere shares how she turned digital disruption into an opportunity for personal freedom, financial growth, and societal transformation. Her message is clear: the future of work is already here, and women don’t need permission to claim their place in it.As the visionary founder of SixFigureMom, Chinyere has helped thousands of women transition from burnout to breakthrough—teaching them how to build profitable online careers, work remotely, and find balance without compromise. Her platform has become a digital lighthouse for women seeking clarity, confidence, and control over their income and time.She also leads DigifydTech Solutions (formerly DvirtualAssistant), where she has guided over 10,000 global businesses and trained more than 25,000 students in leveraging digital tools for growth.Her mission to close the digital skills gap in Africa led her to launch Learnify Africa, an edtech platform equipping women and youth with the knowledge and tools to thrive in the online economy.With accolades as an award-winning digital consultant and the real-life wisdom of a woman balancing ambition with motherhood, Chinyere challenges outdated notions of what women can and should be. She calls on a new generation of women to not just survive the digital shift—but to lead it.Today, Chinyere Uchendu stands as a beacon of what’s possible when purpose meets technology. Her talk is a compelling call to action: for women to stop waiting, start learning, and boldly shape the future on their own terms—one click, course, and client at a time. Chinyere Uchendu, sixfiguremom, is an AI Automation Specialist, Growth & Digital Marketing Consultant, and passionate advocate for digital literacy.Through her platform, SixFigureMom, she empowers women to achieve a better work-life balance by teaching them how to work remotely and build successful online careers.As an award winning Digital Marketing Consultant and Team Lead at DigifydTech Solutions(formerly DvirtualAssistant), She has helped over 10,000 businesses worldwide and trained more than 25,000 students in leveraging the internet for growth and online income.She is also the Founder of @learnifyafrica, an edtech company dedicated to bridging the digital skills gap among women and youths in Africa. Her mission is to create a community of digitally empowered individuals who can thrive in the online economy.She's a wife and mom of 3 incredible children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
