Caption: Tauti Aiono, chairman of west coast Samoan cultural organization Tafesilafa'i, Inc., is seen here during his visit to ASCC with Pa'u Faleatua of SAMPAC. Earlier this summer, Faleatua traveled to California at the invitation of Tafesilafa'i. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

Tafesilafa’i maintains strong ties with the International Samoan Language Commission, Fale’ula o Fatua’iupu, so as their first order of business after arriving in Samoa from their homes in Los Angeles, Rev. Tagaloa and Aiono attended the Commission’s annual meeting in Savai’i.  Next, they traveled to Tutuila, where Aiono spent several days at ASCC observing the College’s classes in Samoan language and culture.  “Aiono visited two sections of my Samoan Composition class and also my Introduction to Samoan Culture section,” explained Ausage. “He wanted to get an idea of the teaching strategies we use here, in comparison to the methods they use in the states. He seemed to enjoy the way our students communicate in their own language, and he also gave a guest lecture on the ‘taliga malo,’ or how to host visitors in the Samoan way, based on his experiences in the states hosting travelers from Samoa.”  Aiono also spent time with the SAMPAC staff, getting acquainted with their programs and resources, such as their vast collection of video documentaries on cultural events and practices.

            Rev. Tagaloa joined Aiono and Faleatua for a meeting with Board of Higher Education (BHE) Chairman Pemerika Tauiliili and Acting President Dr. Seth Galea’i. The Tafesilafa’i visitors expressed their gratitude for the College “loaning” its instructors Faleatua and Ausage over the summer, and went on to discuss their organization’s goals as well as the challenges they face. The visitors also presented a draft of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ASCC and Tafesilafa’i for consideration by the BHE and the College’s administration.  Tauiliili emphasized that any formal agreement between ASCC and Tafesilafa’i will take time and careful planning before moving forward. “We here at the College will review the proposed MOU, provide our own input, and clarify points where needed,” said the BHE Chairman. “We hope to eventually come to an arrangement that both of us find workable. We do want to support Tafesilafa’i because we consider their work a good thing, and we hope that the efforts to educate our people in their language and culture will spread to wherever in the states Samoans live.”

            Official business off-island meant that ASCC President Dr. Adele-Satele-Galea’i could not personally welcome Rev. Tagaloa and Aiono, but upon her return this week she echoed BHE Chairman Tauiliili’s optimism. “The visit to the west coast by our Pa’u and Telei’ai this summer marked a significant step in the College fulfilling its mission, which includes playing a leading role in the research and study of Samoan language and culture through instruction, research, and extension or outreach activities.  Through their fine efforts, our two instructors left a very favorable impression on many Samoan students in the states, and as an added benefit, they also made these students and their communities more aware of ASCC and its programs in our language and culture.”

            Speaking via e-mail from Los Angeles, Rev. Tagaloa shared his perspective on the work Tafesilafa’i faces, and why he feels a connection to ASCC would provide mutual benefits. Rev. Tagaloa wrote, “According to the projections, the Samoan population in the mainland United States will reach about 200,000 b the year 2020. A partnership with Tafesilafa’i will allow ASCC to have access to those Samoans on the mainland for outreach programs and curriculum development. It would also introduce ASCC to our high school graduates as another college of choice, and one that will deepen their appreciation of their Samoan heritage, language and culture.” 

            Besides the classes at ASCC, the only other comprehensive Samoan language and culture program in the entire nation exists at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, under the leadership of Lasei John Mayer and Aumua Mata’itusi Simanu. Rev. Tagaloa feels that the absence of formal, easily accessible instruction in their heritage has unfortunate consequences for Samoans living in the continental US. “Total immersion is the only effective methodology for preserving and perpetuating a culture,” he says. “We do not have that opportunity on the west coast, or anywhere else in the continental US. Our closest alternative is the faith communities, with their existing infrastructures and sustainable faith programs in Samoan. Otherwise, we don’t have enough books, newspapers, television stations, web sites, land, community centers and other infrastructural pieces that would compel an individual to hold on to his or her language and culture. We, as a people, have not yet marshaled the educational resources in the US to ensure that we self-select Samoan as a way of life worth preserving. To make things worse, even with 200,000 Samoans, this number pales in significance when compared to 187 different languages spoken by over 300 million people in the nation. A partnership with ASCC, a Land Grant institution, would not only provide a crucial component to our needed infrastructure, but would also enable our community to access educational resources from the federal government.” 

            Reflecting further on the “big picture,” the Reverend observed, “We now live in a post-colonial, post-modern world which for the most part tolerates differences, yet some of the western ideology from days past continues to haunt us. It minimizes our ability to work together with all of our differences as a community in diaspora. A partnership with ASCC will ensure that the young minds of our community will continue to receive training in their culture, as well as exposure to critical thinking.”

            For more information on Tafesilafa’i, visit the organization’s web site at: http://tafesilafai.org/index.htm.     

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