The Indigenous Education Foundation (IEF) is proud to support a new collaboration with Sinuruk Mattaoi, an inspiring youth-led community group from Maileppet Village, Siberut Island, in the Mentawai Islands Regency.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to Indigenous cultural preservation, intergenerational knowledge-sharing, and youth empowerment.

IEF’s involvement begins with its support for the 2025 Musinuruk Kasimaeruk – a vibrant cultural education and celebration event hosted by Sinuruk Mattaoi.

The Sinuruk Mattaoi team – an inspiring youth-led group from Maileppet village, Siberut Island. Photo: Sinuruk Mattaoi

About Sinuruk Mattaoi

Founded on October 28, 2022, by a group of passionate students from Maileppet, Sinuruk Mattaoi is more than just a community group – it is a movement to reconnect with and celebrate Mentawai cultural identity.

Deeply rooted in the traditional values of Arat Sabulungan, Sinuruk Mattaoi provides a dynamic platform where young Mentawai people engage with their heritage while exploring modern education, the arts, tourism, and technology.

The group’s vision is to become a centre for cultural learning and artistic development, offering space and support for young artists and students committed to preserving Mentawai traditions – including weaving, tattooing, language, music, song, dance, and more.

Their mission is guided by community-led programs, artistic collaborations, and youth participation that breathe life into Mentawai’s living heritage.

Mentawai youth receiving Mentawai’s traditional chest tattoo – ti’ti’ agara’ bebe – by another young Mentawai tattoo artist – sipati’ti’. Photo: Sinuruk Mattaoi

Musinuruk Kasimaeruk: An Annual Celebration of Culture and Solidarity

To commemorate their third year of community leadership, Sinuruk Mattaoi will host the second annual Musinuruk Kasimaeruk – a cultural festival designed to revitalise ancestral values and promote community solidarity through arts, local literacy, and collective expression.

Held in Maileppet Village, the event is purposed to:

• Celebrate and safeguard Mentawai cultural heritage amidst heavily encroaching modern influences;
• Empower youth by offering creative space for cultural expression;
• Strengthen intergenerational bonds within the community;
• Promote local literacy, arts and education rooted in Indigenous wisdom;
• Encourage collaboration between community groups, government, and broader Mentawai networks in the social, cultural, educational, and tourism sectors; and
• Highlight the cultural and tourism potential of Mentawai, with a view toward economic development and sustainable environmental preservation.

This initiative is expected to bring direct benefits to the community – strengthening cultural identity, building a sense of togetherness, and opening new opportunities for both community and regional development.

Mentawai students were invited to participate in art-based workshops at the Musinuruk Kasimaeruk cultural celebration event hosted by Sinuruk Mattaoi. Photo: Sinuruk Mattaoi

Advancing IEF’s Mission: Supporting Indigenous-Led Knowledge Systems

This collaboration directly aligns with IEF’s mission to support Indigenous-led groups working to protect, strengthen, and provide access to their cultural and ecological knowledge systems.

By supporting grassroots initiatives like Sinuruk Mattaoi, IEF seeks to honour the leadership of Indigenous youth and communities who are safeguarding knowledge that is vital not only to their futures but to the wellbeing of the planet.

IEF’s support for Musinuruk Kasimaeruk reflects this commitment – to walk alongside Indigenous communities as they reclaim, revitalise, and reimagine their cultural and ecological futures on their own terms.

Mentawai students proudly share artwork created during an art workshop at the Musinuruk Kasimaeruk Cultural Celebration in Maileppet Village, South Siberut — expressing their stories and island heritage through creativity. Photo: Sinuruk Mattaoi

We look forward to continuing this collaboration with Sinuruk Mattaoi and walking together in support of Indigenous-led education, celebration, and resilience.

Indigenous Education Foundation (IEF)