May 09' Pasifika Woman of the Day!: Dame Whina Cooper

Dame Whina Cooper

A leader in her own right Maori activist Dame Whina Cooper revolutionized the rights for all Maoris by engaging in issues such as land rights and social justice and actively protesting for these issues to protect and preserve the Maori culture and its people. As the daughter of tribal chief, Heremia Te Wake, Cooper identified with her father's role as a leader and became more than just a leader within the Maori culture but a influential woman that would carry on a legacy that would live through the roots of the land and its people. Cooper led her first protest at the age of 18 concerning the draining of a local swamp. This would then jump start her on a journey of being more than just an activist but a mother to her people. In 1951 she would become the first president for the Maori Women's Welfare League through which she fought for issues such as health care and an increased role for women in native Maori rights. 

Dame Whina Cooper, you are more than just an inspiration but a woman of great strength and courage. Defying the old ways you brought forth a generation of Pasifika women that would look to all your accomplishments and achievements and be proud of all the hard work and efforts that you have put forth in seeing the Maori culture thrive. 

On the behalf of all Pasifika women we honor you in all your work and give acknowledgement to the amazing role you played in reminding us Pasifika women what we are made out of.

Malo Aupito,

Elisiva Gallardo

May 09' Pasifika Woman of the Day!: Lino Nelisi

Lino Nelisi

Lino Nelisi is a children's author whose books celebrate the cultural diversity of New Zealand. Nelisi is Niuean and Samoan and has worked as a primary teacher in Niue and Auckland and also works as an advisor in Pacific Studies education at the Auckland College of Education. She has completed Masters of Education Degree specializing in Pacific Nations education. Her work is published in English, Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Niuean, Tokelauan, Cook Island, and Spanish.

Here are her published works: Nelisi's titles are Aiani moe Pia aitu (1993); Koe ama uga (1994);Venise and the little red radio (1996); Sione's tale (1992); Te taro O Sione (1992); Koe tale ha Sione (1993); O le talo Sione (1993) which was a finalist in the Childrens' Picture Book Award in 1993; Fishing with Spiderwebs (1994)which was also a finalist in the Childrens' Picture Book Award in 1995; Sione Went Fishing (1996); That's the way(1998); El taro de Sione (1996); Tane steals the show (1997); Tane te whetu o te ra (1997); He ika mawhitiwhiti pungawerewere (2000).

Lino, I thank you for all that you contribute in the education of our young Polynesian kids. In our communities we do need more people like you to encourage our youth in reading and writing. Thank you for writing books that would capture their imagination and give them a reason in wanting to read more. You have immersed our culture in children's books so that these kids would have a reason to learn and feel more close to home. May you keep writing more books to carry forth our younger generation of Pasifika kids to higher opportunities of education.

Malo Aupito Lino!

Ofa Atu,

Siva

Strength+Beauty: The Empowerment of Young Polynesian Women!!! 

Date: May 30th, 2009

Time: 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Where: Student Den (UAA Campus)

Please RSVP on FaceBook, MySpace, Blogspot, or

Email Me: elisiva.maka@gmail.com or

Call at 350-1327.

Malo Aupito!

Elisiva Gallardo