our board
Benetick Kabua Maddison
Co-Chair
Benetick Kabua Maddison serves as the Executive Director of the Marshallese Educational Initiative (MEI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Springdale, Arkansas, where the largest concentration of Marshallese resides. Maddison migrated to the United States from Majuro, Marshall Islands, at age six, partly due to the threat of rising seas.
Maddison first worked at MEI in 2014, collecting and translating Marshallese oral histories in Arkansas and leading educational efforts to improve educational attainment levels among his peers. He rejoined MEI in 2019, where he led efforts to raise awareness of nuclear and climate issues. Maddison was named Executive Director at the nonprofit in 2022, where he leads efforts to raise awareness about the multifaceted consequences of nuclear testing that have left an indelible mark on his homeland.
Maddison speaks regularly at national and international venues to center the nuclear testing legacy as the catalyst behind many of the health challenges faced by the Marshallese people today. His work also delves into the ecological repercussions that the environment has endured, including the contamination of land and waters, and addresses the cultural implications, recognizing how the nuclear legacy disrupts the Marshallese people’s traditions and way of life.
Maddison also dedicates considerable effort to educating about the looming threat of climate change. This challenge poses existential risks to low-lying island nations like his own. Through educational programs, community outreach, and advocacy, he works to empower his community to understand and respond to these ongoing challenges.
Maddison has spoken at the United Nations General Assembly on multiple occasions and at venues in Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, and Kazakhstan. Through these engagements, he sheds light on the stories and struggles of the Marshallese people, advocating for nuclear justice, which includes recognition, support, and solidarity.
Maddison’s commitment extends to promoting universal justice, most visibly in his advocacy for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Maddison is committed to holding governments accountable for their actions regarding nuclear development and aims to illuminate the need for reparative actions.
His work aligns with the Nuclear Truth Project, which seeks to ensure that those directly impacted by nuclear development are heard and respected in discussions about justice and restitution. Maddison holds various roles and has recently taken on the position of Co-Chair for the Nuclear Truth Project.
What I love about the Nuclear Truth Project
“Nuclear colonialism continues to profoundly impact communities that are at the forefront of nuclear issues. Many Indigenous peoples and communities of color have faced severe and lasting consequences due to nuclear development, use, or testing. Our lands, rich in history and culture, have been exploited for the creation of weapons of mass destruction and nuclear power, leading to environmental devastation and health crises. This extraction process is driven by the interests of a few powerful nations that prioritize their nuclear agendas over the well-being of marginalized communities. As a result, our cultures and traditional ways of life are threatened. These nuclear harms affect our physical environment and disrupt our social structures and heritage.
It’s important to recognize that harm to our communities does not come solely from nuclear-armed states. Individuals and organizations sometimes take advantage of nuclear frontline communities for personal gain, such as career advancement and funding opportunities, contributing little or nothing to these communities. Often, these same individuals and organizations publicly express opposition to such practices. Their actions must reflect their commitments to supporting nuclear frontline communities to create meaningful change. Genuine support should involve advocacy and tangible benefits that uplift and empower these communities and their organizations.
While frontline communities face the challenges of nuclear colonialism, it’s important to recognize our resilience and capacity for change. We are not only survivors; we are also proactive agents of transformation. Together, we play a vital role in the collective effort to eliminate nuclear weapons and pursue nuclear justice for our communities.
The Nuclear Truth Project is crucial in supporting communities directly impacted by nuclear issues and the organizations that represent them. Together, we have developed collaborative protocols that guide how individuals, organizations, and governments can effectively engage with and assist those affected by nuclear activities. I sincerely appreciate the dedicated individuals at the Nuclear Truth Project and all those who contributed to crafting these essential protocols, which the Marshall Islands National Nuclear Commission inspires. This partnership strengthens our collective efforts and enhances the understanding and support that nuclear frontline communities deserve.
I am excited to be a part of the Nuclear Truth Project. I am eager to contribute to expanding our mission and vision while actively promoting our protocols to a broader audience. The Nuclear Truth Project is dedicated to creating an inclusive space for nuclear frontline communities and their allies to advance our collective goals collaboratively. As we move forward, it’s important to acknowledge that, as of November 2024, not everyone who should be at the table is present. I am committed to working proactively to ensure that all voices are represented in my role as co-chair.”