From the American Samoa Community College Gubernatorial Forum candidates were asked: How will your administration prioritize the preservation of Samoan culture and tradition in the face of modernization and globalization?
Candidate for Lt. Governor Maefau Dr. Mary Taufetee said that the Samoan culture co-exists with the democratic form of government that we have. She highlighted that the selection of senators by matais of districts, rather than by popular vote, helps preserve and maintain a cultural element in government. She also believes that the territory’s status as an unincorporated unorganized territory helps protect the culture.
Taufetee said American Samoa is blessed that it has not befallen the fate of other countries, which have lost their language and culture. “We must hold on to our traditions, our culture and language. This is our identity that we are all proud of,” she said.
She added that the Office of Samoan Affairs was another vehicle which helps ensure the preservation of the culture.
Lt. Governor candidate Pulu Ae Ae Jr. said the Samoan culture is good, but problems arise because some matai are using the culture to benefit themselves. He said matai should not burden their families with contributions to faalavelave. He believed orators and some high chiefs are using the culture to their advantage. He said preserving the Samoan language is very important as this identifies us as Samoans.
He said the college and schools, including aoga faifeau, or pastors schools, should continue teaching the Samoan language.
In reference to Pulu’s comments about the burden of faalavelave candidate for governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula had this to add…
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Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga said that while changes are made to the culture to adapt to the times, the foundation remains the same.
He said the three branches of the government of American Samoa includes entities that help maintain and preserve the culture. In the Legislature there’s the Senate, in the executive branch there’s the Office of Samoan Affairs and in the Judiciary, there are Samoan judges.
He said during there administration they have established the Samoan Language Commission and an office devoted to the Samoan language. He said the office works closely with the college to promote the Samoan language and teach the Samoan culture.
Lemanu also referred to legislation that has added the Samoan language, as an official language of the territory, in addition to English.
