Creating Inroads in the ‘Arts of Moana Oceania’ Journey

Reverend Elder Suamalie Naisali Tafaki Iosefa Naisali (Tuvalu), Reverend Iutana Pue (Tokelau), and Eric Natuoivi (Vanuatu)

Pacific Cooperation Foundation’s (PCF) continuing partnership with Lagi-Maama Academy & Consultancy (Lagi-Maama), has created further inroads in our ‘Arts of Moana Oceania’ journey in 2022.  

The delivery of ‘Arts of Moana Oceania’ and ‘Lagi-Maama Tok Stori Tuesdays’ series, continues this year, with onto-epistemologists / knowledge holders who have been engaged from the island nations / territories of Pitcairn Islands, Tahiti, Banaba (Ocean Island), Nauru and Indigenous Australia. 

The ‘Phase III - Lagi-Maama Tok Stori Tuesdays’ series will take place every Tuesday during the month of May 2022. The series will commence with the arts of Pitcairn Islands and will feature the ‘Ahu Sistas – Jean Clarkson, Sue Pearson, Dr Pauline Reynolds and led by Pitcairn islander Meralda Warren.  

This session will be followed by the arts of Tahiti and will feature Jean-Daniel Tokainiua Devatine who is a Professor at the Centre des Métiers d’Art de la Polynésie française.  

 The series will also feature renowned interdisciplinary scholar, activist and artist Katerina Teaiwa, Professor of Pacific Studies and Deputy Director - Higher Degree Research Training in the School of Culture, History and Language. Professor Teaiwa who is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy will lead the tok stori on what art is from a Banaban perspective.  

The series will conclude with onto-epistemologists / knowledge holders from Nauru and Indigenous Australia, who will be featured in our May 2022, newsletter.     

The ‘Lagi-Maama Tok Stori Tuesdays - Phase II’ sessions in 2021, were hosted via Zoom, and were presented by indigenous onto- epistemologists / knowledge holders from two Pacific Island nations and a territory.  Reverend Elder Suamalie Naisali Tafaki Iosefa Naisali. MBE. JP, presented Ko Muna mo Poto Tuvalu Views on Wisdom and Knowledge as the core values of ‘Art’.  

Eric Natuoivi supported by John Niroa presented: Art / Weaving: The Origins of Futunese Kato (Baskets) through Folklores, Beliefs and Traditions of Futuna Island, Vanuatu.  Reverend Iutana Pue provided an insight on Koa Tokelau – Tokelau Treasures. The presentations were followed by a wrap-up tok stori session in June 2021.  

Participants from various countries who attended the 'Tok Stori Tuesdays-2021' series, appreciated the opportunity to learn about the presenters, their unique perspectives, cultures and stories.  The three individual country events attracted 112 attendees and represented participants from United Kingdom, France, USA, Hawai‘i, Fiji, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Vanuatu, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand.  

 We look forward to supporting this exciting series and to sharing the multiple worldviews on knowing and understanding ‘what art is’ through this enriching, enlightening, cross cultural journey.