Etu Pasifika Canterbury (EPC) Whānau Ora lead, Edna Soli, and Whānau Ora Navigator, Leina Fofoa, share their reflections on what it means to be Samoan, how they apply their language and culture in their roles, and what this year's theme means to them.
Hailing from Faletagaloa, Safune, Taga and Faga in Savaii, Soli says this year's theme is a good reminder that the gift of Samoan language and culture is something that we can implement into our daily lives.
“The theme this year is a reminder of the gift God has given us, in culture and language. Being a proud Samoan means I have a responsibility to learn, nurture, maintain and live out my culture through my walk, my talk, and my actions."
The Whānau Ora team's purpose is to help families and individuals navigate their way through every aspect of life, underpinned by family orientated values. Carrying these values in their roles, Soli and Fofoa are both proud Samoan women who feel that their cultural identity is an asset and a privilege, helping them to carry out their daily work tasks with integrity.
"The word proud cannot justify how honoured I am to be Samoan - being Samoan keeps me grounded. God keeps grounded. To honour my ancestors who left their families and home in the Pacific to seek for something greater than what they had. The successes of our communities are for our communities and for God", says Fofoa, who hails from the villages of Tuana'i, Asaga, Fusi Safotulafai and Papa Sataua.
"The pathways our parents and generations before us have paved, and the opportunities and doors they have opened for us, we hope to return and continue to pave the way for the generations to come.
"This role modelling and strong belief of values, especially the passing down of our Gagana Samoa is one of the reasons why I am a Proud Samoan woman. Taking great heart knowing where I come from and where my identity is found not only in my culture but from God," says Soli.
As Samoa Language Week 2023 comes to an end, we thank our Samoan team members for willingly sharing parts of who they are and how that applies to their roles in our workforce.
"E maota tauave Samoa - Samoa is the house we carry.
"No matter where in the world we go, we carry our Samoan cultural heritage with us. This is our identity", shares Fofoa.
