Making it Safe to Speak about Sexual Abuse - Doris Tulifau
Doris explains how cultural norms in Samoa make it more important to create safe spaces for those impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Doris Tulifau is a survivor, educator, activist and organizer ensuring that there are safe spaces for our future generations to talk about trauma before they deal with it as adults. She founded the Brown Girl Woke feminist group that promotes young women and men to empower them on taboo issues happening in the Samoan community especially on domestic violence and sexual abuse.
While in college, she was invited to speak about the Pacific Island culture at a women’s shelter in California. The organization had a high number of Pacific Island women needing help in developing culture appropriate responses to domestic violence. As a survivor, she took it upon herself to research the issue specifically among Pacific Island women to no avail.
This led her to sharing her experience for the first time ever and embarking on a journey to finding the answer.…more
SUMMER TAPASA-SATARAKA FRONT & CENTRE AT UFC 246
Towards the end of last year a video of Samoan security worker Summer Tapasa-Sataraka (who stopped a thief from walking out of Best Buy Hawai'i with merchandise), went viral and caught the attention of UFC CEO Dana White.
He shared the video of Summer and announced he would fly her to Las Vegas for the weekend as his guest to watch UFC 246 fight night, give her rock star treatment and also tweeted that he wants her to work for him.
True to his word he had Summer front and centre stage with him at the UFC 246 weigh-ins yesterday and told her to take his place where he usually stands in the face-off. (Video above)
Summer told reporters after the weigh-ins "That was unexpected. Thanks a lot, Dana.
"He had told me right before we went up he was like, 'I want you in the middle of them. I want you in the middle of the face-off.'
"I was like, 'No, you better not. You better not.' And he goes, 'Yes you are.…more
ARDIE SAVEA PODCAST - NGANI LAUMAPE
All Black star Ardie Savea brings Ngani Laumape on to the podcast for a chat.
He talks about what he's been up to over the summer break, his footy career from rugby union to league and back to playing union plus Ngani's mindset when he found out he missed out on the World Cup squad and more.
Cutting for Samoa and the Bushfires
A couple of weeks ago in Logan, Brisbane a number of Polynesian Barbers and a hair braider came together as a community to raise money for both the families of those who have been affected by the measles outbreak in Samoa as well as those affected by the bushfires in Australia.
Along with the barbers, a team of volunteers turned up to give free vaccinations, DJ Noize and DJ KWoodz provided music and enterntainment, there was BBQ and cupcakes as well as hair product and mirrors donated for use on the day.
A brand new smart TV was raffled and local MPs Jim Chalmers and Cameron Dick came down to give their support to the cause.
Parker Films captured the highlights in the video above.
DWAYNE THE ROCK JOHNSON'S FATHER ROCKY JOHNSON PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 75
Legendary Canadian wrestler, WWE Hall of Famer and Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson's father, 'Soulman' Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles), has sadly passed away at the age of 75.
Johnson’s sports-entertainment career began in the mid-1960s when he made a memorable impression in the National Wrestling Alliance. However, Johnson found his highest levels of success when he began his WWE tenure in 1983.
Alongside Tony Atlas, Johnson made history as one half of the first ever black WWF tag team champions when they defeated the Wild Samoans in 1983. The wrestler had several memorable rivalries with competitors like Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Adrian Adonis and Don Muraco.
He would eventually go on to retire from the ring in 1991 and had a hand in training his son Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The Rock would become one of the biggest stars in the history of sports-entertainment and carried on his fathers legacy with pride.…more
WOMEN OF THE ISLANDS - ELIZABETH JENNINGS-SCHUSTER
ELIZABETH JENNINGS-SCHUSTER
FULL TIME MOTHER
Samoan / Tokelauan
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My name is Elizabeth Jennings-Schuster. I'm from Anaheim, California. I am Samoan & Tokelau. I grew up in Orange County, CA and I am a full time mom of 13 but I also work from home in the mortgage Industry to help make ends meet.
You're the Mum & Step Mum of 13 children - tell us about your blended family
In my previous marriage, I had 7 children of my own. I had 3 boys & 4 girls ranging in age from 10-22 years old - Aramie, Ahrize, Aaron, Ahzira, Aelarii, Aroen & Sev'n.
My husband had 5 in his previous marriage. He has 2 girls & 3 boys ranging in age from 7-17. Sariah, Lawrence, Canaan, Gavin & Ari.
My husband and I have known each other since 1993. Life happened and we went our separate ways & now we've reconnected & have a child together. Our son Urban is 4 years old. Which brings our total to 13 children.…more
MINISTRY OF HEALTH DID NOT AUTHORISE $40 TALA VACCINATION RECORD FEE
The Ministry of Health in Samoa have released a statement to clarify that they had not authorized the $40.00 tala vaccination record fee and were also not aware that staff had unilaterally imposed the fee to acquire the vaccination records for school enrolment.
As a result, Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri had instructed staff members to cease any fees immediately when informed of the situation last Friday.
He says that these fees in question are old charges implemented during the former National Health Service when parents’ requested replacement of their immunization books and records when they'd been lost or misplaced.
This is the record they usually take with them when they emigrate overseas to NZ, Australia or the USA.
The staff members involved did not take into account that the old law governing the NHS operations as a State-Owned Enterprise had already been voided.
Worse, they did not ask the authorities before continuing with the old practice.…more
Seaweed superfood of the Pacific Islands
Its crunchy, salty and spicy – what’s not to like about sea grapes from Samoa, Fiji and Kiribati?
This delicacy in the Pacific Islands is a type of seaweed known as “Caulerpa” and has different common names in different places.
In Samoa, it is called ‘limu fuafua’, in Fiji it is called nama” and in Kiribati it is called “kureeben taari”. One thing that they all agree on is that seaweed is an important part of their culinary heritage that is crucial to preserve in these times of environmental change.
RONNIE STANLEY NAMED POLYNESIAN PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced that Baltimore Ravens Offensive Lineman, Ronnie Stanley has been selected as the 2019 recipient of the Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award presented by Hawaiian Airlines.
The Polynesian Pro Football Player of the Year Award recognizes the most outstanding professional football player of Polynesian Ancestry. Seattle Seahawks Offensive Guard Mike Iupati was selected as the inaugural recipient in 2015, Tennessee Titans Quarterback Marcus Mariota was selected as the recipient in 2016, and Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was selected as the recipient in 2017 and 2018.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Stanley is of Tongan descent - his Mum Juli is Tongan and was born in Tonga. He is in his fourth season out of the University of Notre Dame. This year, Stanley helped lead the Baltimore Ravens to a 14-2 regular season record. He has given up no sacks and only 5 QB hurries throughout the season while leading the Ravens to the #1 ranked offense in the National Football League.…more
Lineup announced for 'I Love Samoa' benefit concerts in NZ
The first lineup announcements have been made for a series of concerts in New Zealand, which aim to raise funds for the families of measles victims in Samoa.
The 'I Love Samoa 2020' concerts will take place in Auckland, Wellington and Australia's Gold Coast from the end of the month.
The concerts will include Ardijah, Annie Crummer, Sammy Johnson, Lole and traditional powerhouses Punialava'a. Hip hop stars Savage and Swiss will also perform as well as other Pasifika stars.
Organiser Danny 'Brotha D' Leaosavai'i told Radio 531PI the response from the musicians had been heart-warming.
"They're all donating their time and their talents for this. The monetary value of each of these artists is far beyond what probably we could have paid for...I'm speechless. I want to thank them personally and sincerely."
Brotha D said the lineups might differ at each venue but more details could be found on the event Facebook pages.
He said the aim was to get as much financial assistance to Samoan families as possible.…more