Indigeneity in Diaspora: Being Indigenous away from 'Home' – Genezy 'IIolahia and Laki Tiatia from The Moanan

Event Description

The UTS School of Architecture is excited to welcome Gen ‘Ilolahia and Laki Tiatia, co-hosts of The Moanan Podcast. With many Indigenous Pacific Islanders living in what are considered ‘Western’ cities today, ‘Ilolahia and Tiatia explore the unique experiences of how living within the Pasifika diaspora can be shaped by exposure to structures of Western practice. The two use their platform to connect indigenous Pacific knowledge holders and scholars to descendants of the Moana, living in diasporas today. ‘Ilolahia and Tiatia will be hosting a Talanoa/Tok Stori, a format that opens space to share knowledge and experience with those in attendance, to explore what solidarity looks like with indigenous peoples of the lands we live on. They will discuss the synergies between Indigenous Pacific knowledges and Western science and the ways in which indigenous practice can allow for shared outcomes of socio-ecological sustainability and care. 

This event is part of UTS School of Architecture’s Solidarity public program.

Format: Talanoa/Tok Stori 

Biography: The Moanan is an educational service for Pacific young people, co-founded by Gen ‘Ilolahia and Laki Tiatia, connecting indigenous knowledge holders and scholars to our communities. Although their social enterprise is registered in Aotearoa New Zealand, they engage with Pacific peoples living in diasporas all around the globe.

Laki and Gen have over a decade of teaching and leadership experience in community and education sectors. Gen is a New Zealand-born-Tongan, trained in the field of psychology and Laki is an Australian-born-Samoan, trained in the discipline of history.

Image Credit: The Moanan Podcast: https://www.themoanan.com/