Pasifika Worldview

What is the main point of this article?

What is one of the biggest challenges for Pasifika peoples according to Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Taisi Efi?

What writing technique does the author, His Highness Tui Atua, use to make his points about culture and its place in the modern world?

Tui Atua uses life stories, historical tales, and conversations with people to eloquently (and often metaphorically) make a point about the place of Samoan culture and people in the modern Western world.

How important do you think life stories, history, and relationships play in the lives of Pasifika people living in Australia? Why?

Tui atua discusses some Samoan rituals as they express meaning, nuance and metaphor, and are often rich in symbolism and history. What are some Samoan rituals discussed in this article? (choose 3)

What is ifoga?

Tui Atua writes:

‘If you seriously want better outcomes for Pacific young people and their families, then policy settings that influence them need to be congruent with this world. You need to be drawing upon the strengths, understandings and meanings of this world. That will require engaging many more Pacific policy makers, researchers, evaluators and practitioners who are accorded the space to develop their own paradigms around that which is meaningful to them’ [p 62]. 

Comment on why cultural congruence is important if policies that impact Pasifika peoples are to be effective.

Are there any policies or strategies in your own workplace that helps or hinders culturally-congruent practice?

What does it mean to say, ‘ hold on to the outrigger’?

Is there anything in your culture that relates to Samoan culture?