Tonga – Talanoa

Motherhood: Loss and Release, Vulnerability, Courage and Joy.

Motherhood has been an ongoing process of loss and release, leading me to vulnerability, courage, and joy writes our founder, Arieta Tora Rika. I knew something was off one morning when I sat up on my bed and felt the room spinning around me. My...

Emele Ugavule, 5 years ago 11 min read

Wellbeing

Storytelling: Connection in Adversity

Talanoa founder, Arieta Tora Rika, reflects on the importance of reminding ourselves that connection is a form of resilience in the face of adversity. Storytelling may seem trivial during a crisis and yet it is one of the most powerful pathways to connection. During times...

talanoa, 5 years ago 4 min read

Diaspora, Polynesia, Read, Wellbeing

Accepting My Hair

By Tamia Mahe As a Pacific Islander, growing up having thick, curly hair made it difficult for me to be accepted into society. Throughout primary school I was bullied because my hair was different from the other kids, it was “too big” or “too much”...

Emele Ugavule, 6 years ago 2 min read

Creative Arts, Diaspora, Polynesia, Read

Kymon Palau

An emerging filmmaker of Tongan and Navajo descent, Kymon Palau uses short film and photo sets to challenge the genocide and dehumanization of his peoples. Currently in his first year of college at the University of New Mexico, Kymon is already making waves with his...

Emele Ugavule, 6 years ago 14 min read

Climate Change, Diaspora, Polynesia, Read

For Tonga, For Pasifika: Have Your Sei

Joseph-Zane Sikulu is a Pacific climate change warrior, and Pacific Project Coordinator for 350.org. Along with many Pacific islanders, Joseph is representing his island nation Tonga at COP23 in Bonn, Germany to Have their Sei in the fight against climate change – a petition and declaration...

talanoa, 7 years ago 4 min read

Diaspora, Literature, Polynesia, Read

Pasifika Literature, Representation and Critical Thinking: Talanoa with Winne Siulolovao Dunn

‘I belong to Oceania – or, at least, I am rooted in a fertile portion of it – and it nourishes my spirit, helps to define me, and feeds my imagination.’ – Albert Wendt, ‘Towards a New Oceania A few weeks ago, I came across...

talanoa, 8 years ago 18 min read

Diaspora, Melanesia, Read, Sport

Where My Woke Pasifika Athletes At? (No Typo)

Following the recent controversy surrounding Jason Taumalolo’s decision to play for Tonga rather than New Zealand in the Rugby League World Cup, and the way Israel Folau recently declared his stance on marriage equality, I’ve been thinking about Pasifika athletes – their choices, voices and...

talanoa, 8 years ago 6 min read

Diaspora, Melanesia, Polynesia, Read, Sport

How You Say My Pacific Name Matters

I’m Fijian, and there’s one stereotype I can’t deny. I love Rugby 7s. Over the years, I’ve heard names of Fijian players mispronounced, and while I often heard my Dad yell “woi!!” at the TV, I never really understood why he got so upset. This...

talanoa, 8 years ago 4 min read

Culture, Diaspora, Melanesia, Polynesia, Read

Marama ni Viti Workshop by The Veiqia Project

Over the last few weeks, thoughts about what I know and don’t know about Fijian culture have rolled around inside my head like changing tides. Do I know enough about Fijian culture as whole? How can I learn, while encouraging others to do the same?...