Moana Va: Navigators of Pacific Pride
Moana Vā are a Pacific Collective addressing the need for a tangible community connection, support, advocacy, and mentorship for Pacific Rainbow LGBTQIA+ MVPFAFF+ (mahu, vakasalewa, palopa, fa’afafine, akava’ine, fakaleiti /leiti, fakafifine) communities in the Canterbury Region.
Their short to medium-term vision is to establish and cement our Pacific Rainbow+ communities by socialising, meeting, hosting workshops, creating relationships, building support networks and capabilities to train facilitators to educate communities of Pacific Rainbow+ pedagogies, worldviews and realities.
The name Moana Vā encompasses the indigenous magic that exists within Pacific Island Rainbow people and spaces. Moana means ocean or deep sea. This is the water that connects our land, histories and communities. Indigenous rainbow people have always existed and are fluid, ever changing, like moana. Our collective existence keeps our vaka of knowledge and strength afloat. Our Moana represents the calm, the storm, the power of our people.
Find out more about Moana Vā.
