Moana Toa Initiative Celebrates Pasifika Women's Leadership with Samoan Prime Minister

The Australian Museum's Pasifika Collections and Engagement team launched the Moana Toa initiative to highlight Pasifika female leadership through culture and arts. For International Women's Day 2022, the project features blog posts and videos honoring women's contributions to gender equality. The series concludes with an interview featuring the Hon. Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, Samoa's first female Prime Minister, discussing Samoan cultural treasures and values. She emphasizes intangible aspects of fa'a Samoa, including service, respect, and environmental relationships, while advocating for women's political participation and climate action. The initiative explores traditional crafts like the tānoa (ava bowl) and 'ie tōga (fine mats) as expressions of cultural heritage.