Speak Your Generational Truth
Fakalofalahi atu, Talofa Lava, and warm Pasifika greetings to you all!
Fakaalofa lahi atu ko e higoa haaku ko Josie Mailisi. By way of introduction, my name is Josie and I am a proud afakasi (Niue/NZ European). My passions include dancing, being an FBI agent, travelling and hanging upside down. I moved to Wellington in 2021 and was blessed to find a family of friends in the VUW Pasifika community. I am excited to invite you in to the world of the Wan Solwara 2022 edition.
My name is Elisapeta, a Tongan name carried by a half Samoan. My grandfather came from Alesa to Mt Eden, Auckland, to provide for his Aiga. His ethos was service, my Grandmothers, was selflessness. I am privileged to have the opportunity to serve the Pacific in their spirit, as a reminder of how the past has the power to shape the future.
In the words of Dr. Melani Anae:
“I am - A Samoan but not a Samoan. To my ‘Aiga’ in Samoa, I am a Palagi.
I am - A New Zealander, but not a New Zealander. To New Zealanders, I am a ‘Bloody Coconut” at worst, and a ‘Pacific Islander’ at best.
I am - To my Samoan Parents, their child.”
"Wan Solwara" means "one ocean" in Papua New Guinean and reflects the strong connections between all Pacific people. This year's theme revolves around the idea of “speaking your generational truth”. We have chosen to take a journey through our history to be able to speak on the past, present and future with the lens of 2022. We encourage you to read this magazine with an open-mind and an awareness for what was, what is, and what could be. We also encourage you to keep these questions in mind when travelling through this edition.
Past - What people thought of us? What stories have you been told from your ancestors that have been mistranslated? What stories do you treasure? What memories or lessons have helped shape your history? Is there a moment in history you wish people knew more about?
Present - What really happens today? What do you face in your everyday life? What is life like for you? How does your voice sound today in modern day society?
Future - Where can you go from here? What do you want to do next? If you could paint your future, what would it look like?
A massive thank you to all our contributors for this year, who have taken the courageous step to speak on issues and share their stories from across the Pacific.
If you have an idea that you want to get off your chest, this is your reminder to put yourself out there and speak your truth. It’s time to use your voice to make an impact. We have resonated with so many pieces in this edition and we trust you will too!
Whether you are wanting to find out what WWE character you are, travel through an in-depth feature of the Ballroom community, or complete the infamous crossword, there is something for everyone in Wan Solwara. We would love to hear your thoughts so be sure to tag us on Instagram to let us know your favourite pieces!
@psc_vuw
@salientgram
@justdancejosie
@swtpdepartment
