Creativity for Change in the Pacific

Speaker

Okalani Mariner was born and raised in Samoa and hails from the villages of Tulaele, Lalomanu, Sinamoga, Afega, Lano and Salelologa with ancestors from the islands of Niue and the kingdom of Tonga. She is an artist, poet, environmental activist and social entrepreneur. As someone who identifies as Neurodiverse, she is passionate about creating more equitable and inclusive spaces for neurodiverse individuals in Pacific Communities.

She is the co-founder of Onelook Studio, a social enterprise that imagines a world in which young people have the means to make a living, wake up fulfilled by their work, and create meaningful social connections. She is the youngest elected National Human Rights Advisor for Children and Young People in Samoa. As a Pacific Climate Warrior and Human Rights Activist, she represented Samoa and the Pacific Islands at the Youth4Climate2022 Powering Action Summit in New York. Okalani uses spoken word and poetry to share pacific people’s frontline truths and stories to advocate for Climate Justice.

Michael Theophilus Dom, of Simbu origin, was born in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. He writes poems in English and Tok Pisin, and also translates them into Hiri Motu. While being hailed by fellow writers and fans as ‘PNG’s unofficial poet laureate’, he prefers the self-proclaimed title Assistant Pig Keeper, loosely based on Lloyd Alexander’s character Taran. Michael has written a few short essays in English and Tok Pisin, on topics related to poetry, writing, and the importance of participating in creativity. He co-founded Ples Singsing, a writer’s support group. They have created a website to host poetry and essay competitions, assist with editing and publishing, and release an e-magazine called ‘Sumatin’ (student in Tok Pisin).

Speaker

Moemoana Safa’ato’a Schwenke is a proud daughter of Samoa. She is the current Miss Pacific Islands and former Miss Samoa, advocating for youth, culture, education, and environmental sustainability across the Pacific. Her work centres on preserving Pacific cultural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism. In her professional role, she has significantly contributed to Pacific performing arts and cultural preservation as a Senior Tutor at the Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts Centre and as a Pacific Consultation and Research Officer at The Australian Museum. At present, she works with Samoa Tourism and the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. Her initiatives and professional work collaborate with local villages and engage with high-level government and international bodies. As Founder and Director of Tā Fesilafa’i Creative and Performing Arts Initiative, Moemoana has engaged over 1,000 young people in Samoa. She has represented Samoa at COP26/28, advocating for climate justice. Moemoana is also an acclaimed performing artist and fire knife performer, participating in Pacific cultural festivals and competitions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies and Environmental Humanities from the University of Wollongong. Empowering the next generation is at the heart of Moemoana’s service to her country and region.