"It will Die" - Samoan Language
By Lefaoali'i Dion Enari
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa (Samoa language week) is not only a time to celebrate, but also reflect upon and address our language issues. Although Samoan is the second most spoken language in Auckland, and the third most spoken in New Zealand, it is experiencing decline. The decrease in language usage is both visible in statistics and everyday interactions, particularly among those who are New Zealand born. Sadly, if we are not careful, ‘it will die’ in 3 generations. The fact that many Samoans would not be able to understand this article if it were written in Samoan, is in itself concerning.
Before looking at ways to sustain the Samoan language, I believe we must first remember why it’s important. As I reflect upon my discussions with Matai, scholars, families and educators, we were unanimous, in our belief that it was a measina (treasure). We also identified this measina as the window into the Samoan world. It is through our language, that we are able to fully access, marinate, and explore the wisdom we inherit.…more
Samoan-Australians Play "Never Have I Ever" with BuzzFeed
Gloria, Jason, Nivs, Pelz, Nella and Biggs685 play a game of Never Have I Ever Samoan-Australian Edition.
In this game they have to say if they have or havent done/experienced things like "Said Im related to Dawyne The Rock Johnson" or "Been told to go back where I came from". The group hilariously answers all these sticky questions and in doing so even sheds some light on the experience of Pacific Island people in Australia.
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Video from BuzzFeed Oz
ONLINE BULLYING IN SAMOA RESULTS IN TRAGEDY
** Trigger Warning - this story that you're about to read contains references to topics such as cyber bullying and youth suicide **
A recent family tragedy has highlighted the need for greater awareness and positive action, writes Nah Folasa.
Just this week our family was devastated by the suicide of my 15 year old cousin. Her crime: A victim of on line bullying.
Like most Samoan families we live close. There is always an intergenerational mix around the dinner table, we share our love, food, land and resources and we help one another.
As a family we cannot ever understand the hopelessness which she must have felt and the only way to escape this harassment was to take her own life. We never contemplated that this would ever occur in our family.…more
The first set of Picture book stories written, illustrated, designed and published by an all Pasifika team in New Zealand
Wellington born Samoan author of children's Pasifika books and the creator of Mila's books, Dahlia Malaeulu, is launching eight new children's stories this year.
The stories include a board book "Going to Te Papa" which they are releasing with Te Papa Press. Mila's "My Gagana Series 2" which includes four early gagana readers and Mila's "My Aganu'u" series 1 which includes two picture book stories that they are self-publishing for Mila's books.
In the second half of the year Dahlia and her team will be releasing their second MG/YA book - "Tama Samoa". Last year she released "Teine Samoa" which was originally written during the lockdown in May and then released as an ebook for Samoan language week last year. The paperback edition was then published in October including study questions for students and the Teine Samoa Project. Read more about both Dahlia's background and the Teine Samoa book in her Women of the Islands profile here.
The new releases this year represent a lot of firsts for Dahlia and her team.…more
Live Updates from Samoa #PalotaSamoa2021
Updates on the situation unfolding in Samoa. Thank you to journalist Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson who has been translating for international media covering #PalotaSamoa. We truly appreciate her and other local media - Samoa Observer, Eyespy Radio, Samoa Global News, Renate Rivers and others who have been giving live updates.
Cover photo courtesy of Samoa Observer
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11.27pm - Office of the Attorney General recalls their application to disqualify appeal court judges
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1.30pm - For an explainer on what's been happening so far, listen to this podcast with Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson featured on The Guardian.…more
Coco Ngati Podcast Episode 8 - Tiana Metuarau
In episode 8 we kōrero with Tiana Metuarau - a Māori/Kuki Airani student athlete who uses her platform to highlight the beauty of her Polynesian whakapapa.
For the first time ever, Tiana publicly opens up about overcoming anxiety and body image issues and how this has been amplified through her netball journey.
She talks to us about what it was like playing semi-professional netball at 15 years old while having to balance high school and bringing Te Ao Māori into her netball environments.
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Coco Ngati Podcast Episode 7 - Qiane Matata-Sipu
In episode 7 we kōrero with Qiane Matata-Sipu - a Te Waiohua and Waikato Tainui mana wāhine who is a māma, wife, business owner, photographer and passionate social activist.
Qiane Matata-Sipu leads the team behind NUKU. a platform that amplifies the voices and stories of kickass indigenous women.
She also talks to us about being raised on her papakainga by a kickass indigenous wāhine to now raising her own daughter on the same whenua.
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Coco Ngati Podcast Episode 6 - Te Awanui Reeder
In episode 7 we kōrero with Te Awanui Reeder also known as Awa. He talks to us about growing up in the 90s, his Reo journey and how he raises his tamariki to empower their multicultural (Māori, Samoan, Japanese) heritage.
He is widely known as the lead vocalist for Nesian Mystik but also has a passion for education. Awa has also developed an impressive business portfolio and shares some advice for budding entrepreneurs. He also drops exclusive details about a new Māori anime series he and his team are working on.
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Coco Ngati Podcast Episode 5 - Sulu Fitzpatrick
In episode 5 we kōrero with Sulu Fitzpatrick - professional netballer, proud mum, athlete, partner and student.
She talks to us about being raised within a big Samoan aiga as a whāngai child and her struggles with being a young mum, mental health and body image.
She also shares about her journey with her Samoan culture and being the first professional netballer and Silver Fern to play with a malu.
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Coco Ngati Podcast Episode 4 - Lavi Vetelino
In episode 4 we kōrero with a Samoan/Kuki Airani social media influencer Lavi Vetelino, or better known as, Fresh Brince. He was raised in Palmerston North before moving to Logan, Brisbane, and then returning to Aotearoa over 5 years ago.
Lavi is a genealogy nerd and can trace his Cook Islands heritage back ten generations. After living in Australia for 9 years and having limited access to his cultural heritage, his family made the move to Mangere where the overload of Polynesian culture came as a shock.
Alongside Lavi, Coco-Ngāti hosts Maia Wilson and Johnson Raela also share their struggles with body image.
Coco-Ngāti is made with support from Foundation North and The Coconet.
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