Nicolaas Jouwe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicolaas Jouwe
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Nicolaas Jouwe in 1962
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| Born | 23 November 1923 |
| Died | 16 September 2017 (aged 93) |
| Resting place | Jayapura, Papua |
| Known for | Former independence activist, designing Morning Star flag |
Nicolaas Jouwe (born November 23, 1923 – died September 16, 2017) was an important leader from Papua. He became the vice president of the New Guinea Council, which was a group that helped govern the Dutch colony called Netherlands New Guinea. He was the highest-ranking Papuan politician in the colony at that time.
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Who Was Nicolaas Jouwe?
Nicolaas Jouwe was born in Jayapura, which was then known as Hollandia. This was part of the Dutch East Indies. He grew up during a time of big changes in his region.
Early Life and Education
During the time when Japan occupied the area, Nicolaas Jouwe was part of a group of students. These students were learning how to become leaders in the government. This group included other important Papuan figures like Frans Kaisiepo and Silas Papare. They were among the first generation of educated Papuan leaders.
In 1945, Jouwe and others met to celebrate Indonesian independence. He was also part of a group that supported Indonesia's freedom. However, he later left this group.
A Leader for West Papua
After World War II, the future of New Guinea was discussed. Nicolaas Jouwe became a strong voice for his people. He and other leaders protested when Papuan representatives were not included in important meetings. They wanted Western New Guinea to be part of their own future.
In 1949, Jouwe was part of a group that went to the Round Table Conference in The Hague. This meeting decided the future of the Dutch East Indies. He spoke for New Guinea. Later, in 1951, he was among the Papuan leaders who did not want West Irian to join Indonesia. He helped start a group called Gerakan Persatuan Nieuw Guinea (GPNG), which means the New Guinea Unity Movement.
In 1961, he was chosen to be the vice president of the New Guinea Council. This was a very important role.
Living in the Netherlands
In 1962, control of New Guinea was given to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority. Six months later, it was given to Indonesia. Nicolaas Jouwe then left New Guinea and moved to the Netherlands. He promised he would not return to his homeland as long as it was controlled by Indonesia.
He continued to work for Papuan independence while living in the Netherlands. He believed that Papua should be free.
Returning Home
In 2008, a TV show in the Netherlands was made about Nicolaas Jouwe's life. In it, he still said he would not go back to Papua. However, in 2009, the Indonesian government invited him to visit his home. He agreed and went back in March 2009. Another TV show was made about this visit.
Finally, in 2010, he returned to West Papua to live there. He became an Indonesian citizen. In 2014, he said that he was a leader of the National Liberation Council of West Papua. He also mentioned that the OPM (Free Papua Movement) was created by Dutch officers.
Later Years and Legacy
On August 13, 2014, Nicolaas Jouwe received an award from the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. This award was called the Bintang Jasa Nararya. It recognized his contributions.
Nicolaas Jouwe passed away on September 16, 2017, in Indonesia. He was 93 years old. He is remembered as a key figure in the history of Papua.
