A Pasifika Journey of Identity by Noreen Tully https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2 Once you've watched the YouTube clips in Week 10, list one thing that you identified with, one thing that you didn't agree with and one thing that you learnt. en-us 2017-04-11 03:58:13 UTC 2026-02-11 22:44:30 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lightdecrease.png Identity https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165831603 For me something in which I identified with was Charlotte as she was brought up with parents who identify with two separate cultures while speaking English as their second language. For me I identify with this because though my parents speak to my siblings and myself in English they've always communicated to their other relatives with their first language. One thing in which I did not agree on was when a guy gave his understanding of identity and quotes " If you don't know the language you can't identify yourself as that culture." There is more than just language which portrays us to uphold that culture. One thing in which I learnt about was a community organisations called the Polynesian Panthers. This group was created during a time of prejudice and injustice (dawn raids/ immigration issues) to be able to stand up for Pacifica peoples rights.]]> 2017-04-11 08:25:44 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165831603 https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165835419 After watching the YouTube clips, I identified ]]> 2017-04-11 08:57:26 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165835419 One thing that I identified with was the New Zealand born Pacific people, fionalaau_semau https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165835972 I personally did not agree with the comment made, stating that if you cannot speak the language then you are not considered Samoan or identify as part of your ethnic group.
Generally, pacific people from the islands have a negative perspective of those who are not born in the islands, but are genetically bound to a specific ethnic group, especially if you do not speak the language and know the culture or traditions to their standards.]]> 2017-04-11 09:04:12 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165835972 https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165836062 After watching the YouTube clips, one thing I identified with was the idea of being confident in my identity by making the call or judgement to say, "This is who I am," despite the fact that I do not speak the language. I identify with this statement because circumstances beyond my control have lead me to this point and although I wish it wasn't true, it is and it doesn't make me any less of a Pacific person than another Pacific person.

One thing I did not agree with was some peoples opinions that you had to speak the language in order to be a part of the community. I know that I have been guilty of this although in a different fashion e.g. Australian born Maori aren't "Maori". I've come to realise that I, or anyone for that matter,  have no power to decide or judge whether someone is or is not of a specific ethnic group. Also, as long as an individual has roots in an ethnic group then they should be welcomed.

I learnt from a YouTube clip the serious impacts identity had on an individual's mental health. Dr Karla Mila's study showed that, in the selected group, if one felt accepted in the community then they were 80% less likely to have made a suicide attempt the year before. This is closely related to peoples views of the connection between language and acceptance of belonging. I think it is also associated with the idea that "we are our own worst enemy" and that by creating grievances inside the small circle that is "Pacific people" we are only letting ourselves down. As Pacific people are a minority group in the world we should be obligated to work together to lift each other up to improve not only health outcomes but outcomes in life.]]> 2017-04-11 09:05:01 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165836062 https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165838008 Identified with:
I identify myself as a Samoan, but if it's not recognised back (if others call me plastic, or question me) , then it makes me question my identity (I have an identity crisis).

Don't agree with:
If you don't speak the language then can't identify with that culture

I learnt:
Confidence plays a role in your identity]]> 2017-04-11 09:23:50 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165838008 I identified myself as a Tongan. One thing I did not agree with is that if you cannot speak the language than you can't really call yourself a Samoan or a Tongan or where ever in the Pacific you identified with. My husband is Samoan and can hardly speak a word of Samoan, but he doesn't see himself less Samoan than someone else that can speak the language fluently. Its where your roots are from that count in my opinion. I learn that only you know who you really are, no one can tell you what and who you are meant to be. https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165840756 2017-04-11 09:46:08 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165840756 S https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165842877 I identified myself as a real Samoan. I migrate from the island here in New Zealand for a better future. Which is one of the reasons why some of our ancestors migrate in the pass years. I totally disagree on how they said that if you can't speak the language you are not a real pacific person. Like what Tino said "Once you are a Samoan, you will always be a Samoan." We were all born in different culture, but a real pacific island is someone that tries and tries to speak or learn their culture no matter what people thinks. It is up to you, if you want to learn or speak your language it doesn't makes a different. What I mean is that speak it or not speak it you are still a Pacific Islander with the culture you are identify with. Some people don't speak their language because of how people will think of them. "A feeling of acceptance and belonging." Everyone belongs in a home (which is referring back to the island or their identity). All what it takes for you prove your identity is having confidence and believing in who you are.
One thing that I learnt from the video is that no matter what race you are, where you're from "We are all one." We try and try our efforts to break the barriers and overcome what's ahead of us to be success in the future.
To sum it all up, if you are a New Zealand born Pacific Islander and you question yourself because of what other people says, well don't do it again, at least now we know that no matter where we go, we will always have a home that we are originated from, and that home is your culture, your language and a land where our ancestors came from.]]> 2017-04-11 10:04:11 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165842877 https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165844502 I identify myself as a Samoan as I was bought up around the culture at a young age.
One thing that i did not agree with is one of the statements made by the individual in the youtube clip regarding language. "If you don't know the language, you can't identify yourself as a Niuean." I have families born in New Zealand that can't speak the language but in a way, they are much more Samoan that I am. They respect and love the culture. They're always proud to  be identify as Samoans even though they don't speak the language. 
One thing I learnt from the ]]> 2017-04-11 10:20:13 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165844502 https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165845648 I identify myself as Maori. After watching the videos I was able to closely identify myself with Charlotte in the way that she went to a school that was mostly European people, however, for me it was the opposite as I am rather white and went to a high school where are majority of the students were pacifica or indian. I didn't agree with a statement made by a man regarding not being able to speak the language. He said that if you were not able to speak the language then you couldn't identify yourself with the culture. I didn't agree with this because not being able to speak your language does not make you any less of a Samoan or Tongan or Maori than anyone else its about how you identify and view yourself. His comment further made one of the things that I had just learnt more interesting which was that young people who feel accepted were 80% less likely to have attempted suicide. ]]> 2017-04-11 10:32:34 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165845648 https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165848547 One thing that I identified with was the idea that not knowing how to speak your native language doesn't make you any less "Tongan" or "Samoan than everybody else. I identify myself as both a Tongan and a Cook Islander even though I cannot speak either languages. I don't see myself being "more" than the other, I equally adore and respect both my cultures and love learning new things about them.

Again the perception that -if you can't speak your language it makes you 'plastic' or as said by one of the people in the video"If you don't know the language, you can't identify yourself as a Niue". I completely disagree. Language Is just one aspect of being an Pacific islander. Traditions, customs, art, dance, family etc all make up a person's identity.

Up to 50% of Pacific children in New Zealand cannot speak their language. I had no idea that this percentage would be so high. Hypothetically, majority of these children must be New Zealand born therefore hav been brought up in a more westernized environment compared to those in the islands.]]> 2017-04-11 11:00:35 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165848547 I in no way agreed with the statement "if you can't speak your language, you should consider yourself a kiwi or you can't identify yourself as a niuean". This was because I personally think that language is only one aspect of a culture, it may be a major one, but it doesn't necessarily mean a person should identify themselves as a "kiwi" solely because they were born here. If an individual lives by the cultural expectations, traditions or if the person is genuinely passionate and confident about their identity then these views of "you're not a real pacific islander" should not matter. https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165849247
I identified with Charlotte. Her story is similar to mine. Both my parents came to NZ as children and went to school and studied here, so basically all communication between my parents and I are in english. I too , went to a "palagi" dominated secondary school and find difficulty in speaking both cultural languages I identify with.

I have learnt that pacific people migrated to New Zealand for a better future for their kids and because of that, certain individuals are being told "you can't identify yourself as such and such". This can have major negative impacts on our people because it may end in them having no sense of belonging.

]]> 2017-04-11 11:09:03 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165849247 Self Identity https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165850263 I identified with: the girl who said that when someone asks where she is from, she relates that to where her roots are, also to the lady who spoke about identity being looked at as a whole and in parts which all make her who she is.
I did not agree with: The comment "if you do not speak the language, you cant identify with/as that culture"
I learnt: I did not realize how many (50%) pacific children cannot speak the language and feel that they are "plastic" because of that. I also learnt about the Polynesian Panthers.]]> 2017-04-11 11:19:43 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165850263 I am Tongan https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165964898 I identify myself as a Tongan. Just like what many of the individuals who spoke in the beginning and mentioned although they live in a different country such as New Zealand, they will always identify themselves as a Tongan or Samoan or wherever they are from. I can relate as although I've migrated here and have not returned to Tonga ever since, the Tongan culture would most definitely always be apart of me, you can take the girl out of TONGA, but you can't take the TONGAN out of her.
I did not agree with the statement said in the clip, if you can't speak the language, you can't identify yourself as that particular identity/ culture. I myself, is not fluent with my language but however this does not make me feel any less of a Tongan. This is where I was from, where I belong, where I was born, where my roots lie in, and what I will always identify myself as, proudly. 
It was interesting to learn how acceptance was a huge factor among the young pacific people. Young pacific people who feel more accepted were 80% less likely to make a suicide attempt. So the statement of "you can't identify yourself as that culture if you don't know the language" plays a huge role of acceptance and self-belonging. Furthermore this is where I believe young pacific people, especially in this generation, struggle to feel accepted or have self-belonging in their culture as this may tend to be a barrier. In addition, 50% of young pacific can't speak their language. ]]> 2017-04-11 19:07:20 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165964898 My geneaology and blood lines reinforce the fact that I am who I am, nothing is ever going to change that. The fact that I now reside in New Zealand and being legally called a New Zealander does not change my ethnicity. I was brought up speaking my mother tongue, I also speak my husbands language, My children speak both languages and we all speak the English language. That does not make us English. Language is only a part of culture, It does not determine culture. Just because someone cannot speak their mother tongue does not necessarily mean they do not know their culture or have lost their identity. I speak to my children in my mother tongue and their father speaks to them in his language. It is unfortunate that the majority of pacific Island children are unable to speak their mother tongue. https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165975063 I

]]> 2017-04-11 19:59:24 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165975063 https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165980280 I identify myself as a Samoan even though I live and was born in New Zealand. 

I don't agree with one person stating that "if you can't speak the language, you can't identify yourself as a Niuean." This is because it's not only the language that makes you a Samoan, Tongan, Niuean etc because there are other factors such as language, traditions, and culture. 

I learnt that there are many people that identify themselves as "plastic" because they can't speak the language. ]]> 2017-04-11 20:35:20 UTC https://padlet.com/noreen_tully/go0kscjs2fk2/wish/165980280