19/07/2021
Tulou: Our Pacific Voices - Tatala e Pulonga is part of the Royal Commission Enquiry into the abuse in state care.
I wanted to be part of this. I chose this. Walking away from an amazing team at ACM to attend this for the next 2 weeks.
Yet being part of this historical event in my community hits on another level. Unlike other public hearings the Fale o Samoa was filled with song, vibrant colours, food and youth.
There was prayer, laying of the proverbial mats or fofola le fala from all over Pasifika and there was more food.
Then there were the stories, our stories from our Pasifika people (present and those no longer with us). Oi aue! The tears that could finally be shed, and the tears on the inside that still could not.
A re-telling of stories, a re-claiming of those who were lost to the system, a re-connecting with our heritage and ourselves.
And the dark cloud of shame and pain can begin to shift - Tatala e pulonga. I'm exactly where I need to be.
