In 2022, I was honored to take part in the Empowering Pacific Island Communities program through the Pacific Island Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) initiative. As part of our Forward Movement Project, a few of us from the cohort—shout out to Livis, Michayla, and Ono’sai—joined forces to create something rooted in what matters most—our elders, our stories, and the journeys that continue to shape us.
What emerged was a creative offering that lives at the intersection of oral history, cultural art, and intergenerational connection.
A Journey Through Story and Art
We began with conversations—interviews with iTaukei, Samoan, and Tongan elders in the diaspora. Each elder brought forth unique experiences and memories of identity, culture, and what “home” means across distance and time.
We collaborated with Roldy—an amazing mixed CHamoru artist and cultural practitioner from the island of Guåhan—who responded to these narratives not with one, but three visual artworks. His pieces are deeply reflective: honoring each elder’s story while connecting them through shared themes of home, journey, and memory.
“I know there were hopes for one artwork,” Roldy shared, “but I wanted to highlight each story individually. They’re so different but deeply connected.”
Each piece was created as a “digital tapa”—a collage of archival photographs, tapa motifs, and illustrations sourced from museums and online archives. The result: visual pages that echo both the past and present in a deeply textured way.
A Word Search as Cultural Archive
To accompany each artwork, Roldy created a word search puzzle—one for each elder’s story. Each puzzle features 60 words carefully selected from their interviews: words that reflect place, memory, emotion, and cultural wisdom.
This idea was inspired by Roldy’s nana, who loved word search books.
Every time I visited, I’d bring her one. It was our gentle ritual. I wanted to bring that same spirit into this project—a way of interacting with story through reflection and play.
These puzzles are more than just a fun activity. They’re an invitation to engage—to trace the voices of our elders through the words they shared.
✔️ Each word search comes with an answer sheet too—just like the ones his nana used to love.
A Living Booklet of Memory and Meaning
The final result is a three-part booklet-style resource that can be printed, used in workshops, or explored at home with family and community. Each section honors a different island, and together they create a shared space for reflection, remembrance, and storytelling.
We envision this booklet being used for:
- Diaspora youth programs
- Elder-youth storytelling sessions
- Cultural workshops or church groups
- Family storytelling nights
We’re also exploring future possibilities for digital formats, exhibitions, or educational toolkits.
Holding Space for Generations
This project isn’t just about artwork or puzzles—it’s about remembering. It’s about making space for our elders, and finding creative, culturally respectful ways to share their wisdom with generations to come.
To our elders — thank you for your stories and your strength.
To our peers — may we carry these stories with care.
To our children — may you always know where you come from.
Saina Ma’ase, vinaka vakalevu, malo ‘aupito.
The journey continues.
Want to Collaborate or Share This Work?
If this project resonates with you—or if you’d like to use it in your school, community, or cultural setting—please feel free to get in touch.
We would love to share this living archive with more communities across the Moana.
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