Written by: Kathy Fitisone, Asst Office Mgr
​Fa’asao, fa’alalelei, ua malie, ua malie o.  This is the chant of the women that cries through the village as mats are put on display.  The end result is beautiful culmination of months (sometimes even years) of weaving sessions.  The skillful weavers are able to produce a wide variety of mats – there are mats for sleeping, there are mats for everyday use, there are mats for babies and mats reserved for dignitaries.  There are mats used only for displays and decorations and there are mats used at the end of one’s life.  Then there is the ‘ie’toga, the fine delicate woven art of our people that is such an intricate part of our Samoan culture.  These artifacts are meant to be durable; they have been and continue to be passed down from generations to generations – weaving stories of our lives, culture, and legacies.
The process of weaving these fala usually includes a group of women who work closely together in a fale lalaga.  Often times the women work on individual or paired projects, but they find strength in numbers.  There is singing, laughing, and “talking story”.  There is praying, crying, teaching and learning.  Knowledge is woven among the women, passing through the hands of the elder women to the younger generations, passing back and forth, back and forth.  They spend days weaving culture, customs, advice.  They share, they correct, they direct, they empower.  Even though there is pressure to produce, the overall atmosphere is one of peace and encouragement.  All members of the fale lalaga become this cohesive group, a well-oiled machine that has a collective task at hand: to produce the fala that will go on to serve our people in various ways for many years to come.
Despite your knowledge of weaving or lack of, as women, we can take away so much from this process.  We need to come together as women to weave spaces of love and understanding.  We need to be collective in our approach towards the elimination of violence against women.  We need to be promoters of peace and empowerment and encouragement.  We need to weave awareness of gender equality and the rights of women and girls within our families, villages, our island, and throughout the world.
It is only when we work together as members of our fale lalaga, that we can achieve total elimination of violence against women.  What a sight to behold, a fine mat so fine, and so beautiful, with a legacy that will last lifetimes – Fa’asao. Fa’alalelei!

Written by:  Judy Matau'tia, ASADSV Training Coordinator
Ua faaalia se tele o le numera oi latou ua aafia I sauaga, e toe tuuaia e latou lava latou I le mafuaaga o sauaga e tutupu ia latou. Ua latou talia sauaga ‘o se vaega masani o le olaga faitoalua’, le taua I le fomai le mafuaaga na mafua ai ona faamanualia le tino, musu e saili se fesoasoani pea sauaina ona o le maasiasi po’o le sailia foi o se fesoasoani mai nao Se sui o le aiga ae leo auaunaga faapitoa mai ofisa ma faalapotopotoga e maua ai auaunaga. Mai nisi sailiiliga o lo o taua mai e nisi ua sauaina le mafuaaga autu e mafua ai ona sauaina faaletino I latou e o latou paaga, ma e mafua mai I faafitauli faaleaiga ma le latou le usitai. O nisi e faapea mai e mafua ona o le faasuaava o le e faia sauaga, ma nisi na fai mai, e leai se mafuaaga faapitoa mo le sauaina. E tele ona leai nisi e faapea mai e mafua sauaga ona o le le mafai ona pulea ma taofiofia o le ita. E foliga mai e faapea le tele o I latou ua sauaina, e iai se alaga tatau o le sauaina oi latou, ma ona a’afiaga, lea ua fai alofaga ai mo sauaga ia e faia e o latou paaga. E manino lava afai e talitonu alii o manatu ma mafaufauga o tamaitai o sauaga o se vaega masani o le olaga faaipoipo, pe e lagona foi e alii le tauamiotonuina o latou I le sauaina o latou paaga I nisi o taimi ona e talitonu tamaitai o le mea e tatau, ona faatupulaia ai lava lea o le saua o alii.
Ua fefaasoa’ai manatu ma lagona o tamaitai I le iai o le mafuaaga tatau I alii e sauaina ai o latou ava. E aofia ai pea le lelei ona faia o galuega o le vaaiga lelei o le fale ma le aiga, pe a le usitai le ava I lana tane, pe a fesiligia e le ava lana tane e faatatau I uo teine a lana tane, pe a masalomia e le tane e le o faamaoni lana ava, ma afai e le o faamaoni le ava. O le faaaogaina o sauaga e faatonutonu pe pulea ai tu, aga, ma uiga o le ava i nisi o taimi, atonu e fetaui ma talafeagai I le vaaiga ma le talitonuga a nisi, ona e iai le latou manatu, ua alaga tatau ma talafeagai. O le mea moni, o le iai pea o nei ituaiga uiga ma mafaufauga, e faatupulaia ai pea le lagolagoina tele o sauaga o paaga. E le faaitiitia e alii ona faia sauaga pe a latou iloa e iai nisi o tamaitai e talitonu e iai mafuaaga talafeagai e sauaina ai latou. O le musu o se tamaitai e faia faiga faafeusuaiga, o se isi lea mafuaaga ua faapea ai nisi ua talafeagai ai le fasi ma le faaoolima o lona toalua I ai. I se aotelega, e toatele naua’i tamaitai Samoa e faapea o le fasi ma le faaoolima i ai latou, e agatonuina ma e talafeagai, ae 62% o tamaitai Samoa ua feagai ma sauaga faaletino mai se tasi e le’o fai ma paaga, ma 23% o tamaitai Samoa na faataunuuina iai sauaga a’o maua I le ma’I taga.
E tele atu le numera o tamaitai nai lo o alii e faapea e talafeagai le sauaina o latou e alii I nisi o taimi. O nisi o alii o le mafuaaga tele lava e sauaina ai tamaitai, ona o le le faaaloalo I le aiga o lana tane. O nisi e faapea e alaga tatau le sauaina faaletino pe afai ua le faamaoni le ava I le la mafutaga. O nisi mafuaaga e faapea mai ai nisi o alii e tatau ma onomea le sauaina o latou taitoalua, ona o le le usitai I ai latou po’o le tuulafoai o fanau. I se vaaiga faatusatusa I talitonuga ma manatu o le lautele, o lo o manino mai ai o lo o faapea le toatele e iai lava mafuaaga tatau o sauaga. O le mea moni lava, e leai lava ma se mafuaaga po o se alaga tatau lava e tasi e tatau ona sauaina ai se tagata se isi lava tagata, ma o lo o iai tulafono e puipuia ai tatou mai le faaoolima mai o se isi. O sauaga foi e le o se mea e tatau ona fai ma masani, afai sa masani ai, ua tatau nei ona tuua ma taofia ia faiga faasaua. E iai aafiaga o sauaga tatou te le vaaia I le taimi nei po o le taimi e faia ai sauaga, atonu tatou te vaaia manua faaletino, ae tatou te le iloa atu manuaga faalelagona lea e mafai ona aafia ai le tagata I se taimi mamao I luga I lona olaga tuputupu ifo aemaise foi o alo ma fanau pe a latou molimauina sauaga I le va o matua. O le valevale alofa ma le puipuiga o se taulealea o sona tuafafine o se mea taua lea I le olaga o se alii Samoa. Afai o le talitonuga atoa a le taulealea Samoa lona puipuia o lona tuafafine, pe le ono tatau foi la ona puipuia e alii ma tane o latou ava ma taitoalua? Pe le o le ioi mata ea o le tama lona tuafafine?

Written by: Kathy Fitisone, ASADSV Asst Office Mgr

In the Online Oxford Dictionary resilience is defined as “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties”.  It is also further defined as “the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape”.  While both definitions are similar in meaning they differ on the timeframe of an expected outcome.  The first definition denotes a sense of immediacy.  While this is great for those who are capable of such a feat, for many of us dealing with myriad of issues attributed to the pandemic, this “quick recovery” is not forthcoming any time soon.

For many of us recovery is a slow, agonizing process.  As cliché as it sounds, at many times it seems to be pushing us along the road of “two steps forward, one step back” with stops, falls, and U-turns along the way.  It’s as if the process requires normalcy – a set, standard, and straight path, because that is what we were used to – but is not easily attainable.  However, if the pandemic has taught us anything, it should be that there is no one definition or standard of normal.  If you feel you are in this group, please know that you are not alone.    
There is no set timeline for you to “spring back into shape”.  What’s more important is that you are aware of the ability to do so.  Being aware and being able means knowing your support systems, knowing your limits, knowing your purpose.  It means setting those goals and dreaming those dreams.  It means celebrating the little victories, and acknowledging the setbacks.  It means it’s ok not to be ok. 
If you are on the path to recovery, no matter how long it has taken you or how far you still feel you have to go, you are doing a great job.  Given everything you have been through, you are a resilient warrior and we are proud of you. 

Spoken on 10/1/2021 Virtual Proclamation Signing Event- Jennfier F. Tofaeono, Executive Director, Am Samoa Alliance against Domestic & Sexual Violence
In 1989 US Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Awareness Month.  This month aims to honor those who have died due to domestic violence not only in American Samoa but across the United States and other US Territories.   
 
Our newspapers are littered with stories of violence, and it would be remiss of me not to mention cases in American Samoa that have been so extreme.   In 2020 the released story of a victims beating was so heinous and grievous it resulted in a community response. After hearing the stories, and witnessing the scars, the community came together to ASK for Justice for the Victim.  The beginning of 2021 was the horrific beating and murder of a young lady who was a mother, daughter, sister, relative and friend. I apologize if the mention of these stories triggers emotions of anger, or sadness for the victims for their family members, and the community.  Today, and for the rest of the month of October we honor victims who lost their lives to domestic violence.
But this month is also a time to celebrate those who have survived Domestic Violence. These are SURVIVORS who have walked through our doors and said, “My spouse or partner beats me, and I need help.” These are victims who have worked with local agencies to obtain health services, receive protection, or counseling to leave dangerous situations. During this month we recognize the stories of those who survived, and are on the pathway to healing.  We celebrate and honor their wins.  
 
 We also celebrate those who stand in unity to help victims.  It is a hard road to travel when you are a victim, AS WELL as an advocate.  As advocates you carry the stories of victims upon your hearts and feel their pain.  You want to help every victim, but realize you're limited in resources, maybe knowledge, and sometimes just purely wiped out.  Our advocates are those who help the victims find healing, and they need to be honored.  We recognize those who have previously worked in battling domestic violence in our community’s and we recognize those who continue the work today.   
 
 During this month I remind the community, domestic violence rears its ugly head in our homes, our relationships, our schools, workspaces, our church communities, and it surrounds us. It is important we strengthen our approach to eliminate violence through education about the tactics used by the perpetrators of violence.  We must gather to provide support for victims, even if you do not understand why they continue to go back.  Abusers use tactics of intimidation, emotional, isolation and many others to keep victims chained to them. I remind you to continue to support any victims that you may know or encounter. 
  
 Today I am grateful for all who are in attendance to witness the virtual signing of the Domestic Violence Proclamation. With a humble heart I say,  Fa’afetai, Fa’afetai tele lava.  As the Executive Director for the American Samoa Alliance, and the representative for our Board of Directors, led by Dr. Julia Foifua as our Chairwoman, Rep Sam Meleisea as our Vice Chair, and the entire Board of Directors,  I would like to offer our thanks to American Samoa Governor, High Chief Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga, and Lt Governor Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele for standing and supporting us with extremely important issue.  I also would like to say a special thank you for our Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata who provides federal support that helps us to fight and combat domestic violence.  Thank you for your voice and support in Washington DC. The Alliance cannot express enough our extreme gratefulness to have you in your space.
 

Written by:  Jennifer Tofaeono, Ex Director​ 
The American Samoa Alliance partnered with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Pago Pago West Stake, Church President, Adney Reid, and his two counselors as well as the congregation that hosted Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Sunday, October 3, 2021. 
 
President Robert Toelupe Pago Pago East Stake spoke about the impact of anger on families, and the need for families to learn how to heal for better communication.  Bishop Gary Tipa shared in Samoan the data about domestic violence in American Samoa, showcasing how it impacts our community and families.  Vaitinasa Salu Hunkin-Finau shared the importance of education for families and how it can increase health in families as well create strength.  President Adney Reid talked about the “3 Minds”, where a reasonable mind reacts with facts, and logic, while being focused.  The Emotional Mind leads with fear, anger, and anxiety.  The Intersections is the WISE Mind which teaches us to be mindful and respond wisdom. 
 
For the past two (2) years the Alliance has held a church service at the beginning of Domestic Violence Month because they strongly believe violence against women, inside or outside the home is never justified.  President Adney Reid, shared “Physical violence is NEVER accepted” in the church.  We thank President Reid, and Toelupe who instruct and encourage stake and ward leaders, and members to stop violence for healthier families.  

aWritten by:  Jennifer Tofaeono, Executive Director
Every year the Alliance sends proclamation during Domestic Violence Awareness Month to the Governor's Office for approval to honor victims who have died as a result of domestic violence, victims who have survived domestic violence, and individuals as well as organizations who support victims of domestic violence. This year, due to COVID-19 and the pandemic Judy Matau'tia, Alliance Program Manager developed our first ever Virtual Proclamation Signing Ceremony. Several partners from Department of Human Social Services, Department of Education, Back On Track, Mana Health, Intersections, Representative Uifa'atali Aumua Amata and several others were in attendance.  Governor HC Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga was unable to attend, but in his stead Lt Governor Talauega Eleasalo Va'alele Ale represented Governor Mauga.
 
Alliance Executive Director Jennifer Tofaeono began the event sharing the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She talked about the early beginnings when the Government passed the law recognizing the month.  “This month is to honor those who have passed because of domestic violence” stated Ms. Tofaeono, “celebrate those who are survivors of domestic violence and advocates who help victims of domestic violence.  The next speaker was Lt. Governor Talauega, “One of the biggest tools that we have to fight social issues, such as domestic violence, is the power of human connection, which is why awareness days are so important…to show our solidarity and support for different causes,” stated Lt Governor Talauega.   He recognized the presence of domestic violence in every community, and the need to develop initiatives to educate community about healthy approaches.  Communities need to speak out about violence, as we all have a role to play to develop safer communities. He asked for everyone to speak out against domestic violence and support our local efforts. The Lt Governor recognized the newly formed American Samoa Advisory Council on domestic and family violence. 
 
The proclamation was read in Samoan by Gary Tipa, from Intersections, and Wendy Lotolei from Department of Education shared the English version. At the end of the ceremony the Lt Governor signed the document, and shared the new members of the American Samoa Advisory Council on Domestic & Family Violence: (1) Dr. Julia Foifua, Drug & Alcohol Program Director, Health Department, (2) Scott Hess, Executive Director of the American Samoa Legal Aid, (3) Paulia Pa’o-Pelenato, Assistant Director of the Department of Human and Social Services, Children and Family Services Division (4) Jennifer Tofaeono, Executive Director American Samoa Alliance against Domestic & Sexual Violence (5) Farrah Sefo, Victim’s Advocate at the Department of Legal Affairs.
 
Please join us during the month of October to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  If you would like to watch the virtual event, please visit our facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=399507758428120