HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - JUNIOR AUMAVAE
JUNIOR AUMAVAE
CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER
SAMOAN
Junior Aumavae is a former American football nose tackle. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Today he is serving as the Chief Equity Officer for the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska.
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What are your home villages in both Alaska and Samoa?
I was born in American Samoa from the village of ili ili. I currently live in Anchorage, Alaska.
You started your career in football during your earlier years. What was that experience like and how did it shape the person you are today?
As a troubled teen, at a young age I was kicked out of the high schools in the main city of Anchorage Alaska because of fighting. From there I was moved out of town by my mom to live at my sisters Helen's house who lived in a small town 45 minutes away called Palmer Alaska. As a sophomore at Palmer High School I was the only Samoan kid there with just a few minorities and no friends. Here is where I found my love for football and also met a mentor who helped straighten my focus in life, school and priorities. After being mentored and coached by many great leaders in my life through football I learned critical life skills in leadership that ultimately helped me graduate high school, college and become a professional football player. Even to this day I still apply those lessons learned in football to my every day routine to ensure that I am doing what I need to do to be successful in life. Without those mentors in my life early on I wouldn’t have made it this far in my journey. Now, I wish to do the same for other as they have done for me.
What was a dream career for you growing up? Did you see yourself in the NFL or in a position such as Chief Equity Officer?
Growing up I just wanted to make my family proud. Graduating High School was one of the highest praise by my parents in our family especially since there was 13 of us. The pressure was on to not be the first of the 13 not to graduate high school so I thank God for football because in order to play in the games every Saturday I would have to be eligible in all my grades for school. By focusing on my grades every week to play football that helped me stay on track with graduating in high school and college. By graduating High School then College it made my family very proud and encouraged them to be much more then what they think they could be in life, this is what it’s all about and was very rewarding to me to see. It’s what keeps me going every day now knowing that I’m encouraging my family and community by setting the bar high by achieving my goals so that they too can do the same in their lives and our younger generation in the Aumavae family and our community.
Can you tell us about what happened last month that made history in Alaska?
I was appointed by the Mayor of Anchorage Dave Bronson to serve as the city’s Chief Equity Officer and then was confirmed by the Anchorage Assembly with a unanimous 10-0 vote into office. This makes me the highest ranking Samoan Government official in Alaska's History. This appointment was made by the Mayor, confirmed by the Anchorage assembly members and ordained by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What does this exciting new appointment mean for you and the community you serve?
I was raised in Mt. View located in Anchorage Alaska which is one of the most diverse communities across the nation but it is also one of the most underserved communities in Anchorage. My parents raised 13 children on government assistance most of our lives and made sure we never knew the struggles they were going through to provide a great life for us. They help me see that hard work pays off. Now, to serve in the role that I am in as the Chief Equity Officer for the City of Anchorage and to have a seat at the table with the Mayor in the biggest city in Alaska is truly a blessing from God. I am now able to be to help the communities in the city I was raised in and make great positive changes for the people of Anchorage Alaska. With me in office, community members are encouraged when they see someone that has lived in areas that are underserved and who understands the struggle locally. It gives many hope that one day they too can become a servant of the people at the highest level of government through hard work and determination.
Do you have any words of encouragement for young Pacific people defying odds and aiming to reach a high goal?
Keep Jesus Christ first. Stay focused and love others the way He loves you. My journey was already written it was up to me to accept Gods will and continue to do His work for our people.