Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 57
Tatau Traditions challenged in modern times
One of our most ancient Samoan traditions has vastly grown in practice over the last fifteen years, but some argue, it comes at the cost of its own sacredness.
Traditionally, the Tatau and Malu were meant for a highly selective group of people in certain Samoan families. But now with the huge number of Islanders around the globe, the ideas around who can get one and how to get one have changed with the times. With money and a bag of pain killers, can anyone have a Tatau or Malu?
The gifting of this measina Samoa has always come down to the discretion of the Tufuga.
There are many men with Tatau, but the title ‘Sogaimiti’ should be reserved for the real McCoy - a man who has received the malofie (ink) with the approval of his family elders and who has completed the process with a worthy partner (soa).…more
Indigenous Heroes of 2015
MUSKRAT magazine released it's Top 13 Indigenous Heroes of 2015, acknowledging the brave individuals fighting to make a positive change a better future for Indigenous peoples - including Hawaiian star Jason Momoa!
Game of Thrones star, Jason Momoa, born in Honolulu, jump started a social media campaign to protest the construction of the $1.4 billion project, Thirty Meter Telescope, on top of the sacred mountaintop, Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The campaign was used to raise awareness of a petition on Change.org to halt the telescope’s construction and the arrests of people protesting the project. Jason and his wife, Lisa Bonet, are using their fame and influence to bring Indigenous stories to the mainstream. In addition to writing, directing, and starring in Road to Paloma, a story about a Native American on the run after avenging his mother’s murder, Momoa also stars on the TV series Red Road, the new Netflix original- Frontier. He also has a contract to play Aquaman in several Superman movies.
Check out the rest of the list and their achievements here!
Samoan chief wears many hats
Serving as a high chief in her native Samoa is just one of Faamati Aumua Winey’s many duties.
Source: The Citizen
The busy Dellwood woman also owns five Snap Fitness franchises, is president of the Quad Area Chamber of Commerce, co-owns a rugby team, manages a campaign for a state senate candidate and serves on the governor’s Asian Pacific Council.
Winey admits her lifestyle is hectic, but the 39-year-old businesswoman would have it no other way.
It all started in 2000 when she moved to Minnesota from Samoa to marry her husband, Mark Winey. They met in American Samoa when Winey was working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He is a graduate of White Bear Lake Area High School and returned to the area to take over his dad’s business, Magnepan. After a few visits to the state, Faamati accepted Winey’s marriage proposal. Then she began a franchise search.
“I come from the tropics where there are always activities,” she said.…more
Samoan designer fights for freedom through fashion
Stunning, gutsy and bold are just some of the words people on social media have used to describe the designs by young Samoan designer Janice Brown Setu-Galo.
The pacific fashionista has been heralded by some for pulling off ‘print on print’ with designs that are putting a definitive stamp on the industry.
But it’s about more than just clothes.
After a decade-long career in the fashion industry left her feeling unsatisfied, she bravely embarked on a new journey.
The creative designer went on several mission trips, and found that she wanted ‘helping people’ to be at the heart of her work every day.
A revelation which became a turning point in her career.
“It came to a point in my life where I really wanted to amalgamate what was in my hand and what was in my heart” said Janice.
And so, Salt & Light Threads was birthed.
The brand combines her passion for fashion and creativity, alongside her innate desire to help others.…more
Pacific Youth amongst The Queen's Young Leaders winners
The Queen's Young Leaders Programme discovers, celebrates and supports exceptional young people from across the Commonwealth - which include Youth Leaders from the Pacific!
Last year the search was launched to find exceptional young people to receive the first ever Queen’s Young Leaders Awards. Hundreds of applications flooded in from incredible young people all dedicated to making lasting change in their community and beyond.
The Queen’s Young Leader Award recognises and celebrates exceptional people aged 18-29 from across the Commonwealth, who are taking the lead in their communities and using their skills to transform lives. Winners of this prestigious Award will receive a unique package of training, mentoring and networking, including a one-week residential programme in the UK during which they will collect their Award from Her Majesty The Queen.
Amongst those recognised from the Pacific include:
Aiona Prescott TONGA
Easter Tekafa Niko TUVALU
Luisa Tuilau FIJI
Mary Siro VANUATU
Salmon Parairua SOLOMON ISLANDS
Seini Fisi'Ihoi PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Tabotabo Auatabu KIRIBATI
Unique Harris NAURU
To see the full list, check out https://www.queensyoungleaders.com
As a Pacific person, you are someone.
Last week, I shared my thoughts on the media’s storytelling of the sad death of Tevita Ba Daunibau. Like you, he was someone. A son, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and a valuable, young Pacific person. His life was meaningful, and his death – a tragedy. The media barely mentioned his name, only giving a small bite to the reader, leaving a person like me – a person who cares – starving for more.
You are More
Tevita was more than a gang member, more than a few lines in a news article. He was a person and he was one of our own. Lovingly raised by God-fearing grandparents, loved by his family and respected by his friends, he brought life and laughter to those who knew him. After 10 years in the Australian Army, he was discharged due to post-traumatic stress disorder, and later joined a bikie gang. The fact that he joined both the defence force and a gang tell me he was looking to belong to something bigger than himself.…more
World First for Samoan Doctor
A proud daughter of Samoa is set to achieve a first for the region.
When Satualafaalagilagi Dr. Leinani Salamasina Aiono Le-Tagaloa graduates as a Pain Specialist, she is likely to become not only the first Samoan to achieve the feat, she could also be the first Pacific islander with such a qualification.
A Pain Specialist or pain management specialist, is a medical doctor who specialises in pain medicine. Pain medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of pain.
Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Satualafaalagilagi said she is humbled by her achievement and she wants to use it to motivate other Samoans.
“There are many Samoans who are popular in sports but the world should know that we do have brains as well,” she said.
“This is what I am proud of, is to have Samoa be the first and that’s my pride.”
Satuala is the daughter of a former Member of Parliament, Le Tagaloa Pita and the late Aiono Dr. Fanaafi.…more
Cook Islanders get into the spirit of giving this Christmas
Check out the awesome work the Cook Islands are doing for those who need a little bit more Christmas cheer this Christmas.
The Cook Island community has come together to support 1000 of its families most in need.
Source: ONE News
Samoan-Niuean graduate moves the room with Graduation speech
This is not the first time Joshua Iosefo, a spoken word artist, has made waves with a speech. In 2012 while a schoolboy at Mt Roskill, he appeared on Campbell Live with a speech called "Brown Brother" in which he talked about the stereotypes about Pacific Islanders.
Iosefo made an impassioned speech about overcoming adversity to graduate, with a video of the emotional moment now surpassing 75,000 views online.
Joshua Iosefo, a Bachelor of Communication Studies graduate of Samoan-Niuean descent from South Auckland, told the 2015 Design and Creative Technologies graduation ceremony that to walk across the stage and receive his degree was about "more than a piece of paper".
"We all have our own walk. We all come from different walks of life," he said.
With his voice breaking, the 21-year-old tells his fellow students and friends what the day means to him.
"When we walk across this stage we are saying we did it. When we walk across this stage we made it ...…more
Isolated Pacific islands get Christmas presents by parachute
Australian, Japanese and US air force planes deliver food and toys to remote atolls as part of the annual Operation Christmas Drop
Australian, Japanese and US air force planes are dropping food and toys on remote atolls in the Pacific as part of the US military’s longest-running humanitarian relief mission.
The packages will support 20,000 people across 56 islands in Micronesia, the Mariana Islands and Palau.
The US Air Force began the annual Operation Christmas Drop in 1952 when a Guam-based air crew noticed residents on the island of Kapingamarangi waving at them as they flew overhead. The crew gathered items they had on the plane, attached a parachute and dropped them to the islanders.
