|
 The unfortunate death of an Aboriginal man has brought the Samoan and Aboriginal communities closer in Brisbane, Australia.
Richard Saunders, an uncle of Australian rugby league star, Jonathan Thurston, was beaten to death by nine Samoan youths in Brisbane, last year.
Voice of Samoa (Leo a Samoa) was set up as a result of the incident at Ewing Park in Logan, an outer suburb of Brisbane.
Undersecretary of the organisation, Va’aaoao Levaopolo Salumalo Alofipo, of Saleaula, is in Samoa.
“The Aboriginal Elders Council and the Voice of Samoa are working together to keep the peace and come together for the future of these two peoples,” Va’aaoao told the Samoa Observer. Soon after the fracas, where two other Aboriginal men were hospitalised, members of the Aboriginal community in the area called for Samoans to be deported back to Samoa.
According to news reports, the Samoans were accused of causing trouble.
“The Aboriginal people here are being bashed and killed [by Pacific Islanders] all the time,” Asia Pacific News quoted the late Mr Saunders’ uncle, Wayne Saunders as saying.
“It has got to the stage we are too afraid to leave our houses at night. This is our country and we are no longer safe because of these people. We should send them home.”
Joined forces
But Va’aaoao said the Council Elders of the Indigenous people and VOSP have joined forces “so these kinds of incidents will lessen or cease for good.”
He said the Elders’ plans “include the youths of both peoples working together to find a representative to sit in the council, local government…”
Such plans are likely to take a while to instigate “but it will happen and this will benefit the people of Samoa,” Va’aaoao said.
“This will cease embarrassing situations for our people. [
It] will also help our youths to use their talents,” he added.
Voice of Samoa is also now working with the Department of Education, Ministry of Police and the Chief Executive officer of the Community Services in Brisbane. He said working with the DoE will help provide opportunities for Samoan youth to get involved in “activities like soccer and rugby” and encourage them to attend school.
TRADITIONAL APOLOGY
A traditional Samoan form of apology, “ifoga,” is scheduled to take place for Mr Saunders’ family “this month on the 26th,” Va’aaoao said.
Although Mr Saunders died on 25 October 2008, according to Aboriginal custom the ifoga cannot take place “until after” his burial.
It will be performed using ‘pulou o le ola’,” Va’aaoao said.
‘Pulou o le ola’ is where a selected member of the Samoan community or representatives of the young boys will be covered with a fine mat as they ask for forgiveness.
“We also handed over $2,000 before Christmas to help out with the children of the men involved in the incident, including Mr Saunders’ nine children.”
The three Aboriginal men have 19 children between them, Va’aaoao said.
Meanwhile, the young Samoans involved with the death of Mr Saunders, ranging in age from15 to 24, are still in police custody.
One was released over the Christmas period.
SAMOAN ADVISORY COUNCIL
While Voice of Samoa is working for the good of the Samoan and Aboriginal community in Logan, Brisbane, they may not be officially recognised yet.
The Logan Samoan Advisory Council Incorporated (LSAC) is the only registered council in Logan City for the Samoan Community.
It “was established and officially registered with the Office of Fair Trades in October 2007,” President Va’asili Fiso said via e-mail to Samoa Observer.
“To my knowledge, I have heard there may be an organisation called the Voice of the People (Samoan People in Brisbane) however, am unsure of their official status,” he wrote.
LSAC is doing its own part in relation to the death of Mr Saunders.
“We are in discussion, and are due to have a get-together with the Aboriginal community this month,” said Va’asili.
“The main focus is to better our Samoan community, specifically our youth here in Logan,” he concluded.
|
