Akilino Albis

Akilino Albis

Akilino is a traditional elder who left formal schooling in third grade after growing interested in canoe carving and seafaring. At a very young age, he learned the skills of traditional canoe building, seafaring, and then navigation from his father Albis. From his mother, he learned about native medicine that helped save the lives of his crew and many people on remote islands who look to him for healing when sick or injured. Akilino is a Knowledge Holder who taught at the OneReef Traditional Skills Summer Camp on Sonsorol Island in June 2020 and at more youth education programs since then. Akilino believes that the knowledge he possesses is precious for the younger generation for survival, identity, and increased resilience to the challenges of living on their small islands in a rapidly changing world.