Our Amazing Alumni
'Amelia
'AMELIA: Asoso: Resting Collectively, Rising Collectively was a recipient of the Harvard Oceania Collections Engagement Fellowship 2021 awarded by the Harvard University Peabody Museum, University of Utah School for Social Transformation and Change, Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Asoso originates from the Chuuk expression "our rest" shared by Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Micronesian-Oceania steward, Paul O’toko. Afā ‘Aikona, Tongan artist, activist, Kaimana alumni, and founding member of Asoso further explains the purpose of the fellowship. It is a,“collective effort of Oceania in the diaspora and our ancestors. We hope Asoso will encourage talanoa (sharing stories) about resting, mental health, and wellness."
Our Amazing Alumni
The Asoso Collective
The Asoso collective is Tausoa Mulitalo, Paul O’toko, Suan Alik, Theclah Taylor, Ti Tavai, Sinia Maile, Jakey Siolo, Vina Tura, and Afā and villages.
The Asoso team spent one week at Harvard at the end of June 2022 reuniting with their Ancestors through their creations of headrests. Later, they hosted an art installation that showcased photography, film, and art by youth, children, and members of the Utah Oceania community focused on Asoso. Its opening took place on August 12, 2022, at the 25th Annual Friendly Islands Tongan Festival for the community to enjoy. It was housed in a construction modeled after a Oceania home to recreate the sacred space and power of its people.
Their invitation is for all to prioritize and utilize Asoso in order for us to, "lay to rest what does not serve us any longer" so that we can rise collectively. For more updates and details please follow 'Aikona on FaceBook or @asosoaikona on Instagram
Our Amazing Alumni
Theresa
When asked about her takeaway and next steps after completing the Kaimana Intervention training, Theresa responded, "I am ready to take this to the next level...ready to help others while still working on myself. The work continues." Theresa participated in the first Kaimana group and has been speaking and sharing her truth since then. She is featured in Collaboration with the Divine, which tells the stories of individuals and their inspirational journeys of their unbreakable bond and partnership with the Divine. Theresa is passionate about sharing her truth and is currently working on releasing her own podcast series.