Navigating wellbeing with ancestral wisdom

Rangatahi at Flaxmere College consider the navigational skills of their Pacific ancestors.

Va’a Folau is an inspiring programme developed by PolyActive to enhance the wellbeing of Pacific rangatahi through the use of ancestral knowledge and practices.

PolyActive is a community-centred organisation started by Vili and Sharon Malaitai, a couple who are passionate about helping Pacific communities find wellbeing through active lifestyles. Well-established in Hawke’s Bay, PolyActive have been offering free, social fitness classes for several years.

Ryan Hambleton of Sport Hawke’s Bay remarks, “PolyActive are really important to the community here in Hawke’s Bay. They engage with their community and develop a project or initiative based on what the community are wanting.”

Sharon puts this more simply, saying, “We do things the Pacific way,” and adds, “our vision statement is to ‘reach the one’, reaching out to our Pacific people in ways responsive to their needs and edifying that everyone is important.”

It is with this sense of service and determination that PolyActive developed Va’a Folau, specifically for the region’s Pacific rangatahi.

The aim of Va’a Folau is to empower Pacific youth and their families to connect with their cultures. The vehicle for making these connections is va’a, waka, vaka, waqa and the programme is delivered through a combined holistic health and wellbeing mentoring approach.

The distinctive fitness aspect of the Va’a Folau programme is va’a (waka ama/canoeing), which offers both a physical and metaphorical vehicle for cultural connection, teamwork, leadership and perseverance.

The va’a aspect of the programme provided a vehicle for leadership and teamwork.

Guiding this facet of the programme is local para athlete Peter Cowan, a Paralympic Games contender competing at world championship level – whose daily affirmations are “trust my mahi” and “make it count”.

Wayfinders and storytellers

Before va’a, waka ama or canoeing was a sport, it was a way of life.

Water vessels were vital to prior generations of Pacific people who “navigated the ocean way before ships and compasses”. Not only were they utilised daily for fishing, transport and trade, va’a were lifelines between island groups and for discovery or resettlement.

“We identify with the va’a, with the water, the ocean, moon and stars. That’s how we are, that’s how we went from island to island,” reflects Vili.

Navigational skills using the stars, stories and elements were honed over generations and passed on as wisdom.

“It’s important to tell those stories, our people are storytellers,” maintains Vili.

Rangatahi at Flaxmere College where the Va’a Folau programme piloted, are asked to consider the traits their Pacific ancestors had to possess in order to journey over reef and ocean.

“People who left the islands were fearless, they took risks, even if they didn’t know what they were going into, they knew that if they didn’t, they wouldn’t succeed or survive,” explains Vili.

In his view, this is also applicable to recent generations of Pacific diaspora.

“Taking risks helped us survive, from our ancestors to my own parents who left Samoa and went out of their comfort zone seeking a better life for their children.”

Employing a strengths-based approach by affirming a connection to ancestral wisdom presents an opportunity for rangatahi to foster a sense of belonging and identify with those positive traits.

Sharon and Vili Malaitai, programme directors of PolyActive.

“It empowers me to know that I am an intelligent person, because they [ancestors] were so intelligent, they could navigate the ocean with just their surroundings. That’s what we try to empower in our children/fanau, ‘you are intelligent young people from a long line of intelligent people’,” affirms Vili.

For Flaxmere College Year 12 rangatahi Apache, Va’a Folau has been a process of discovery and cultural reconnection.

“I thought using the stars for navigation was just on Moana [the movie] until the Va’a Folau programme. All the history of how our ancestors navigated has helped me open more to my Cook Island culture.”

Flaxmere College principal Jim Hay-Mackenzie reinforces, “One of our school priorities is holistic success. One area is culture and being able to represent your culture, is a success. Our students’ culture is an important thing for them to learn – and embracing their culture means that they can learn.”

Wisdom in practice

While stories of ancestral wisdom form the basis for confidence and connection, the physical activity of va’a makes it real. On the physical lessons, rangatahi John says, “One of the things I learned was that my ancestors were fit as!”

Vili acknowledges he is not the first person to come up with using navigation as a tool for learning.

“Bringing it to life, actually connecting through the experience of being in the water, feeling the water, feeling the sun and wind, that’s the difference.”

Flaxmere College rangatahi pictured at the Va’a Folau programme graduation ceremony.

This sentiment is echoed by participants. Apache says, “My biggest moment was getting in the va’a and navigating by learning the current. We put our hand into the water and feel the current, the temperature and how fast it is. It’s the direct connection with the water, we learn so much.”

The Flaxmere College hall is vibrant with family energy when Education Gazette attends the Va’a Folau graduation evening.

During a video presentation, there are snippets of the programme, from concentrated bookwork to wobbly legs, nervous faces to true enjoyment. As the video plays, the room ripples with good natured laughter as rangatahi remember their experiences and bring their families aboard the metaphorical va’a of the programme’s journey.

Vili observes, “When we take them out onto the water, it’s helping them to keep fit, but also with their mental, social and spiritual health.”

The expressions of pride and confidence on the graduation stage are the most convincing proof of this wellbeing.

Fearless, but never alone

John says going out on the water, doing waka ama, made him realise that working together can help everyone go a long way.

Va’a Folau programme graduation ceremony.

One of PolyActive’s central tenets is that holistic wellbeing for Pacific students includes shared experiences towards collective success. Leadership and teamwork are essential teachings in Va’a Folau.

“In order to go forward, rangatahi had to work together. If we want to go in the same direction and not go round in circles – we all have to row,” says Vili.

This is the same energy that PolyActive brings to their partnership with Flaxmere College and families.

Vili insists, “It’s a collective effort to encourage our youth to succeed in life,” and that the goal is to nurture environments where rangatahi are able to embrace who they are culturally and feel supported in their education.

“We teach about what NCEA is, so that we know, and they [students, families] know what they’re learning towards.”

Principal Jim Hay-Mackenzie commends the leadership he observed both on and off the water.

He shares how some students worked to encourage others who were not as confident on the water. Back on land, “It has helped the leadership in the school, given a different vehicle for some of the students to show leadership.

“For example, they’ve done group activities where they’ve been talking about their cultures, and some of these conversations have been led by these students.”

With regard to Pacific ancestors, Vili concludes, “Yes, they were fearless – but never alone.”

Bright smiles and bright futures

“We want to offer this programme through all the schools in Hawke’s Bay,” says Sharon. The positive impact of Va’a Folau extends holistically through each of the particip  ants’ lives, the result being a lasting sense of wellbeing in its participants, and families, and school communities.

Va’a Folau graduate John’s testament echoes what is felt by many. He says, “The physical side, cultural, academic, I feel like they are connected.”

Flaxmere College rangatahi pictured at the Va’a Folau programme graduation ceremony.

He also attests to the programme’s role in reorienting his life.

“It’s helped me to realise that I can get further with positive people around me, looking after myself and focusing on my education. I was off track, but PolyActive has helped me get back on track and get my credits. They’ve also helped me to keep fit, that’s a bonus.”

Apache’s plans include joining the defence force after experiencing the value of logistics and community support during Cyclone Gabrielle. Connection to his culture is intrinsic to how he pictures himself in his future, carrying the programme’s teachings into daily life.

“From now on, I’m always going to hold being Cook Island and Māori strong to my heart as I journey through my life, and into the defence force.”

Perhaps though, the most heart-warming impact is described by John.

“They helped me to become more positive and happy. I walk around with a smile now, I never used to like smiling because I thought it made me look weak, but I’ve found out, it just makes me look happy.”

Just like a bright smile, PolyActive’s mission shines through every facet of their groundbreaking programme and, in their words, “Va’a Folau takes you all the way back – to who you are.”

For more information, visit polyactive.co.nz(external link).