Last night I attended a Pasifika Fono (PELP - Pasifika Early Literacy Project) which was held at school in our staffroom. We were there to talanoa (talk) about the Pacific/Pasifika dual language books that our children’s teachers are using in the classroom. The purpose was to help support our parents and to grow the literacy skills of our Pasifika students.
We were really lucky to have Dr Rae Si’ilata joining us to lead this Fono along with the following cultural leaders, some of who are ex-teachers:
Gagana Samoa: Deborah Meafua-Siafolau
Lea Faka-Tonga: Luti Tafea
Te Reo Māori Kūki 'Airani: Peta Ravlich
Vagahau Niue: Lino Nelisi
Dr Rae Si’ilata presented an amazing presentation about why it is so important to use our 'heart' languages and for Pasifika children to be able to hear their own stories in the books that they read. I was fortunate to spend time with Lino Nelisi who has written many books in both English and Niuean.
