Niue Holiday Workshop & Pulefakamotu
During the recent school holidays, CMY’s Le Mana Pasifika team attended workshops held by our Niuean community at the Hoppers Crossing Youth Resource Centre.
Our Niuean community held three workshops, each focusing on a different aspect of the Niuean culture. The first workshop we were able to learn and try some Niuean block printing and dance. In the second workshop, we watched and learnt how to make spears that the young Niuean boys would later dance with. For their last workshop, we learnt from Niuean experts how to weave and make foufou.
It was an immersive experience to be able to meet and learn alongside so many of our Niuean community, and their young people. The effort, love and care the Niutupu Naama committee poured into their school holiday program to ensure Niuean young people were seen, heard and safe to learn their cultural practices, was a sight to behold.
The workshops provided a space for Niuean young people to come together, learn and practice for the 50th Jubilee Pulefakamotu Celebration that took place on 19 October. The Pulefakamotu, or Constitution Day, signifies the 50 years since Niue became a self-governing nation on 19 October, 1974.
The Niuean community here in Naarm were able to celebrate Pulefakamotu on 19 October by hosting an event, showcasing Niuean arts and crafts, with the highlight being the performances by the Niuean young people. What a sight it was to see our young people beam with pride as they took part in cultural practices and performances.
Fakaaue lahi Niue for having the Le Mana Pasifika team in a small capacity within your space and your celebration of independence!