Arieta Rika – Founder
Arieta is a writer, cultural advisor, Pacific storyteller, and the Founder of Talanoa, a digital space for Pacific people to
share their stories. With over 10 years of experience in social impact and non-profit communications across Australia and the Pacific, Arieta has dedicated her career to writing for positive change.
Since founding Talanoa in 2015, Arieta has collaborated with government, organisations specialising in international development, local non-profits, technology-based agencies, and news platforms as a lead writer, cultural advisor, and co-creator of Pacific-based programs. As a writer, Arieta’s work has been published by major news publications internationally, particularly across the Pacific. At the moment, Arieta is an online student at Western Sydney University, completing a Bachelor of Communications.
Emele Ugavule – Creative Director, Community & Education
Emele is a Tokelauan Fijian (Te Kaiga o Fagatiale, Te Kaiga o Koloi, Uvea, Kaideuba) multidisciplinary storyteller. She is passionate about nurturing the vā where live performance, cultural expression, digital media and neuroscience intersect. Emele has worked with independent & commercial arts organisations across Australia & the Pacific as a consultant, producer, writer, performer & director. She is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Arts, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts & is currently a post-graduate student at Curtin University undertaking a Masters of Digital & Social Media.
Amy Zhang – Development associate
Brandon Tacadena – Associate educator
Brandon Tacadena is a Master of Divinity candidate currently attending Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. He was born and raised on the island of O’ahu, in Hawai’i. Brandon has genealogical ties to Sāmoa, Tokelau, the Philippines, and various parts of Europe. Tacadena’s work explores the intersections of theology, colonialism, spiritual fluidity and Pasifika indigeneity.
Sela Vai – Associate Artist
Sela Vai is a Sydney-based movement artist who seeks to create sensuous alchemy through movement, which dignify her Pacific Islander heritage.
Taofia Pelesasa – Associate Artist
Taofia Pelesasa is of Tokelauan and Samoan heritage, born in Rotorua, New Zealand and replanted in Mt Druitt, Western Sydney. Taofia has acting and literary representation from Liberty Management, Australia.
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