“When our Elders heal, the generations following are empowered to do so too” – Pacific Youth reflect on The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care

Three young islanders reflect on the intergenerational benefit of the healing that will hopefully come out of The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. 

Survivors of abuse from the Pacific community have been giving evidence statements before the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry at a public hearing at the Fale Samoa in Māngere.  The inquiry has come with various first-hand accounts of mental, emotional and physical abuse inflicted by state care. The enquiry is looking at abuse of Pacific people in both state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 1999.

Statements from the hearing have been made available for the public and over the past week the Pacific community have expressed their utmost respect for those who have come forward to give their statements.

Young Pacific Islands have acknowledged the value of the hearing not only for the generation of those in the Inquiry, but also for the generation of young Pasifika in Aotearoa who have carried the weight of intergenerational Trauma.

3 young Pacific islanders gave us their reflections on The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care and how they see this process as a stepping stone for their generation:

Latayvia Tualasea Tautai speaks on the relief she holds knowing that those who faced trauma in state care are finally on the road to healing. She expressed that,

“Trauma faced in state care is inter-generational. It doesn’t just manifest in individual pain but in the way people perceive the world and themselves. Without the tools and mechanisms to heal, people then project their pain onto others and often do so without realising. I’ve seen it in my workplace serving Pacific families in poverty. I’ve seen it serving our brothers in Mount Eden Prison and in my own home with a parent who was taken by CYFS as a child. When our pillars (Elders) heal, then the generations following are empowered to do so as well. We need to ensure that the soil is healthy, so that what grows from it can flourish.”

Christopher J. Tenisio reflects on how young Pasifika youth continue to excel despite having to carry the weight of their elders trauma as well as their own, and how healing the wrongs of the past can benefit the future. He says that,

“If we look at us brown young people today, we listen attentively to the experiences of our forefathers and foremothers. We hold the pain and anxiety’s that they hold, we hold the stories, the fear and the shame society had put on them, and we refuse to let these burdens be carried by our tamaiti (kids). Today young brown people are at the frontlines fighting against social injustices covering a range of issues. Today young brown people excel in their chosen careers, passions, talents and idea’s. Today young brown people use these past trauma’s to fuel their drive to an inclusive and prosperous society. Faatuatuanai mea ua tuanai, a e tuli i luma se ai. Meaning, history can never be changed but we can use past experiences to seek a better life”

Nele Kalolo acknowledges her pride for the elders that have told their stories at the hearing, and how her generation hopes to further allow space for the older generation to heal. She explained that,

“Intergenerational healing requires intergenerational talanoa of trauma. Pasifika youth today can be proud of our elders who have so vulnerably and bravely spoken up about the systemic violence our people have and are facing in state care. These stories of abuse hold mana, as they are testaments to the resilience of our people, who in raising themselves have become role models of leadership and truth. Our Pasifika youth today who strive to indigenise spaces can proudly say that we stand on the shoulders of all those speaking up. We hope to do the work that allows healing for our elders and therefore ourselves and our descendants.”

You can read the statements from the hearings here

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care will run until Friday when they will come to the end of their hearing statements.