The Association for Social Anthropology in Oceania.

ASAO for short.

Tevita went to Australia for their annual conference. While the highlight was attending the Apology Day (see post below), Ti also enjoyed seeing his like minded colleagues from all over the globe.

Here are some photos:

Friend of Tevita's. They had been exchanging ideas through an online Tongan philosophy forum for nine years before they finally met at this conference. So cool.

Ty Tengan, professor at UH. Getting ready for the meeting on Indigenous Anthropology.

Tevita speaking on the Tongan radio show in Canberra. He and 'Okusi Mahina, professor from University of Auckland, spoke and answered questions from callers for 3 hours. He had a blast.

My brilliant buddy Pingi (on the left) with Ty. Haven't seen her since she finished up at Yale and got a job in Boston. Miss her! Can't wait to see her next year when I attend the one at Santa Cruz. She'll skip chunks of the conference so we can get into some antics.

Awesome academic wahine.

Classic nose flute. Loving his tatau.

Quite a distinct mat on the wall. Beautiful.

A Day of Apologies in Australia

Tevita went to a conference in Canberra, Australia for the Association of Social Anthropologists of Oceania. It is a conference he attends every year but this year was extra special. He was able to attend the ceremony and formal apology to the Aboriginal people from the Australian government. Specifically, regarding Australia's treatment of the "Stolen Generations". These are some of the many photos he took.

Aboriginal Tribal Flag

Here are some survivors from the Stolen Generations.

Who are the Stolen Generations?

Between 1910 and 1970 up to 100,000 Aboriginal children were taken forcibly or under duress from their families by police or welfare officers . Most were under 5 years old. There was rarely any judicial process. To be Aboriginal was enough. They are known as the ‘Stolen Generations’

Why were they taken?


They were taken because it was Federal and State Government policy that Aboriginal children - especially those of mixed Aboriginal and European descent - should be removed from their parents.

• The main motive was to ‘assimilate’ Aboriginal children into European society over one or two generations by denying and destroying their Aboriginality.
• Speaking their languages and practising their ceremonies was forbidden
• They were taken miles from their country, some overseas
• Parents were not told where their children were and could not trace them
• Children were told that they were orphans
• Family visits were discouraged or forbidden; letters were destroyed.

What happened to them?

• Most were raised in Church or state institutions. Some were fostered or adopted by white parents.
• Many suffered physical and sexual abuse. Food and living conditions were poor.
• They received little education, and were expected to go into low grade domestic and farming work.

This was the name of one of the homes the boys were sent to. There are heinous stories about the treatment of these boys. Needless to say, some survivors of the Stolen Generations suffered depression, mental illness, addiction, and incarceration in their adult years.

More photos Tevita took of this historical event:


The unfinished business of searching for great grandparents, grandparents, aunties and uncles, sisters and brothers continues this day. In the meantime, it takes courage for a country to be accountable for a dark era in their history. I hope we all learn from this apology and more importantly, may we stand up for disenfranchised and enslaved peoples all over our world .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELESTE!!!

Today is my sweet niece's birthday. She is our little Valentine's baby and my best little buddy in the world so I wanted to let her and everyone else know how much I love her. She's 6 years old today so here are just six of the millions of things I love about her.
1. She loves nature.
She has been in awe of the moon and the sky and the clouds since she was very young. She appreciates the beauty of flowers and trees and leaves and all the different colors they come in. She loves looking at Cameleons and Geckos and other interesting things and she loves eating things that she grows. She loves vegetables and fruits and I've even seen her prefer grapes and oranges over candy! She is a sweet little nature princess and I just admire that about her!

2. She loves to learn.



Here is Celeste at her graduation from pre-school. So proud of her. She also practiced hard in her swim lessons and now she's such a great swimmer. She learned how to ride her bike and scooter just by practicing and practicing. She teaches herself how to draw certain animals and fruits so she's become quite a gifted artist. She learned how to fly a kite this past year and now she's learning how to read! She's so smart and works so hard and that is why she is so awesome!

3. Celeste treats other living things with kindness.
Celeste loves other living things. She got to go to the San Diego Zoo last year and was so excited to come home and tell me of all the families of animals she saw. This is her holding a little sea horse in Maui. She so sweet and gentle with God's creatures. Melts my heart.

4. She loves her family more than anything!

Celeste love love loves spending time with her family. And we just love playing with her too. She loves going to the zoo, the aquarium, kayaking, and swimming-all with us!! She even went on a cruise this year with her family and enjoyed every minute of it!

5. Celeste loves to have fun!!

She loves to play and to laugh and to tell funny stories all the times. She loves to do fun things like go to Relay for Life late at night with us, make funny faces at the camera, and come to the Haleiwa Art Festival.
This last festival, the wind blew a really huge painting down and it fell on her head. It really hurt her but she was okay and just laughed it off. The artist saw this and gave her a small oil painting and spent some time with her showing her how to paint small strokes. Now she just loves and adores that little painting he gave her. It ended up being such a fun day!

6. Celeste loves Jesus and knows that he loves her too. We try to remind her and she says, "I already know." We are just so happy she was born into our family. Tevita is in Australia right now and when he called me, the first thing he said was, "Happy Birthday to Celeste!" He loves her so much!

So Celestee, from Tevita and I to you:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Some News!

This is an excerpt of a fun email I just got from Tevita. Can't wait 'til he returns!

"wow! what a day. i went with a group of anthropologists to town to watch the prime minister of australia apologize to the aboriginal people. it was quite an emotional moment. i started to cry!!! the capitol was packed with people. i have some wonderful pixs of the historical event. it will look great in our blog."

Stay tuned for pics. I'm so looking forward to it myself.

Oh, and take the poll!!

Tevita's in Australia

Canberry to be exact.

And he took the camera. Our blog is about due for some international flava!

In the meantime, check out this fun blog I've found over the last little while:

http://thepostitproject.blogspot.com/

O BAM A! O BAM A! O BAM A! O BAM A! O BAM A!

If you're in Hawaii. Come caucus for Barack Obama!

http://my.barackobama.com/HIgotc

So Fun!!

An article found today on LDS.org.



SALT LAKE CITY 4 February 2008 Mrs. Michelle Obama met with two apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today shortly after a campaign stop in Salt Lake City on behalf of her husband, Senator Barack Obama.

Mrs. Obama met with Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Twelve Apostles.

Although the Church is neutral in party politics, it is common for political and government leaders to pay brief calls on Church leadership. The half-hour meeting focused mostly on family values.

Bag Tagged

My first tag ever! I'm a new blogger and have no earthly idea about blogging cultural practices. I'm learning and it's awesome.

So I've been tagged by one of two bloggers I know. I totally feel like I've arrived!

Here are the contents of my purse. Well, the "after" version, at least:


Super cute (and cheap-it's unraveling, not unlike it's owner) woven bag bought from a stand on the way back from Leilei's. Locally owned and operated, I couldn't resist supporting the family that imports these island goodies from Tahiti. Plus, the different shades of lauhala and the $10 price tag is hard to beat. I get complements about this bag all the time from tourists and newcomers to the island.
Otherwise, non-descript. Ear drops for the chronic infections I now get since moving here, pens, two different chap sticks, and I never ever leave the house without paper clips, rubberband, and tissue. They are gold during a crisis. Ok, where did I get that smooth brown rock? I had no idea it was in there! And yes, I use a Franklin. eww, I know. Wallet . . . have had it for 8 or 9 years now. It's screaming for an intervention. Oh yeah, and drummamine. Just got back from a trip and never took it out. Helps me sleep on the plane.


So to be true to my many many readers (all 5 of you!), I'll be honest.

This was the real contents of my purse:

Pretty much the same except with a little more of "me" inside. The receipts, the crumbs, the change (patria, really?? a change purse? who would think of such a thing?!), the pen lid missing it's mother ship, and oh, note the pistachio nuts and shells, what the??? I think I bought those months ago when I smuggled a big pack into Hairspray!


So now I'm TAGGING . . . let's see . . .
Leslie (the other blogger I know)

and since I know no other blogger besides Leslie and Patria, I'm going to tag countries and cities that have been viewing this blog and hope that the folks from those countries will join me in my newfound hobbie:

Auckland
Tonga
Taipei
Cambodia
Salt Lake City
Laie
New York City
California
Las Vegas
Kirkland
and the
FUN WITHOUT FUNDS gals my sister speaks so highly of!!

If you don't have a blog start one! And display your insides to the world!

Vietmanese New Year!

I was strolling around downtown yesterday and stumbled across this parade celebrating Vietmanese New Year!

Grrr!


Shake that tail, now!



I see you!


Girl Power!


awww, pretty princess


HUH???
Gotta love the honesty of her title.