A non profit/non government organization has been established to promote and preserve the Samoan Language, Culture and Samoan Fine Arts in Alaska.
Endorsed by the Polynesian Association of Alaska (PAOA) and Kava’s Restaurant,. Present in support of the Samoan Community were the Pacific Community of Alaska organization under the leadership of Tafilisaunoa Toleafoa and the Sons & Daughters of Seaula organization under the leadership of Sitafine Talosaga and Lokeni Lokeni Ula, Jr.
On Saturday, December 11th, the Alaska Samoan Community Organization was formed with an initial founders count of 30 plus Samoan individuals living in Anchorage, Alaska.
Anchorage is a city with visible ties to the Pacific Islands. Yet statewide, Alaska’s Pacific Islanders make up less than 2 percent of the population, according to 2010 U.S. Census data. Nearly 12,000 Alaskans share Pacific Island heritage. Nearly 10,000 are Hawaiian, Samoan or Tongan in Anchorage alone. With the growing population of the Samoan Community in Anchorage, Alaska, the need to promote and preserve our Faasamoa through the Samoan Language, Culture and Fine Arts is vital to bridge the generational gap and barriers between our elders and future generations.
“Our Samoan Community here is eager, passionate, and committed to Promoting and Preserving the Faasamoa; the Samoan Language, Culture, and Fine Arts in Alaska,” says a press release from the newly formed group.
The familiar Samoan hymn, ”Lota Nu’u,” is the motto of the organization for the Samoan Community here.
“We want to honor and hold fast our Samoan identity by promoting and preserving our Cultural identity & heritage everywhere we go. Now in Anchorage, Alaska, the newly founded Samoan Community will be serving both the Independent State of Samoa and the US Territory of American Samoa.”
“Since my relocation to Anchorage, Alaska, with my two sons in early March of this year, on day one of being cold in Anchorage, my first google search was, “Samoan Community near me”. Results varied to the Polynesian Community Of Alaska, better known as P.A.O.A., and the Samoan ministries or churches. There was no official Samoan Community. I’m also concerned for my sons who were born and raised in their native Samoan language, that they will lose the faasamoa. I moved to Alaska with the belief as a Samoan mother that it takes a village to raise a child, and I have two sons that I aspire to raise as Samoans and as future leaders,” says Founder, President & CEO Vaiomatalematu “Maddy” Unutoa. “
“On November 8th, 2021, I wrote invitations in Samoan and English and hand delivered them to our Samoan Communities here in Anchorage through various car clubs, Churches, pastors, families, and friends. That led me to more Samoans in Anchorage I have not met before. . We have all come together as one and started this organization we have today. “To all our people in the Independent State of Samoa and the US Territory of American Samoa, we are here and ready to be of service. Message, call, or email us when you are heading to Alaska so we may offer our services to help in any way possible. We are here for you.”
