We are Pacific Islands in Melbourne
Engage Pasefika
We are a Pacific Island community led organisation to address intergenerational Pacific health inequities. We acknowledge the inherent power structures that disable empowerment, equitable access and inclusion to health services. We work towards emphasizing the role of culture in understanding health. We work collaboratively with stakeholders and partners to reduce health status disparities.
THE MISSION
To advance better health outcomes for all Pacific Island Communities
Who are Pacific Islanders?
pacific diversity
We are a culturally diverse indigenous people connected by ocean from Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. Our long histories with colonisation has had long lasting impacts of trauma and privileging of white colonial worldviews. We originate from warrior bloodlines that have fought tirelessly for independence.
Our Stories
We acknowledge our Pacific Elders and ancestors that have come before us, your tenacity and resilience inspire us to do right by our communities. We honour their footprint through shared values of family, faith, community, equity, intersectionality and respect.
Our call to action was sparked by the invisibility of Pacific Island voices in decision making spaces of health, amplified by Covid-19 and its disproportionate impact on the community. It revealed the unmet needs of pacific community in the northern suburbs of Melbourne to equitably and safely access health services without fear of shame, stigma and judgement.
Our commitment is to advance Pacific health equity via avenues of advocacy, ethical collaborations and creating sustainable initiatives that benefit intergenerations of Pacific families. We believe in a culturally intersectional approach to health that validates the social, migratory, cultural, familial and historical experiences of Pacific communities and impact the way they understand and access health services.
Engage Pasefika acknowledge how the Social Determinants of Health strongly influences access to health such as insecure housing and food, casual employment, early childhood development access, education disparities, structural inequities perpetuating vulnerabilities.
Our mandate, to be disruptors of positive change and challenge the status quo of health systems to explore inclusive ways of health caring. To mobilise resources that improve health literacy and digital health access. Our communities should be able to have agency and personal choice when it comes to their health choices.
culture and health
What's the significance of kava/tanoa bowl?
The Tanoa or Kava bowl pictured earlier symbolises ceremony and reverence in kava ceremony. It typifies reciprocity, community, problem resolution and a strong spirit of goodwill. If you have ever had the privilege of sitting in a kava/ava ceremony you would have felt the mana (warrior spirit) of our Ancestors and for some its memorable taste. Manuia!
cultural insight
Our Actions
WEAVING A NEW PATH FOR PASEFIKA YOUTH
March 16, 2024
Free Community Event
Empower Educate Employ
GENDER EQUALITY
Investing in women's grassroots program
International Women's Day 2024 #countherin
EP with the Minister for Women - Natalie Hutchins, Iwan Walters MP and Kathleen Matthews-Ward MP
Aknowledgement in State Parliament of Engage Pasefika's Commitment to Gender Equality Work
INDOOR VOLLEYBALL
2023 - 2024
Continues until end of March
PASEFIKA CHANGEMAKERS TALANOA
Cultural Diversity Week
"It always feels like a big warm hug with Pacific Island communities... love the way you guys care for each other and your community"
Video snippet from Keynote Ailao Robertson
BREAST CANCER HEALTH TALANOA
Facebook Live Seminar Dr Belladona Atropa Potoi
PACIFIC ISLAND COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP
Every school term in 2024
Broadmeadows Community Hub
Samoan Language Week
PACIFIC ISLAND WOMEN'S HEALTH EQUITY DAY
September 9, 2023
Honouring Women's Health Week
A day led by our Young Pacific Women
Aknowledgement in Federal Parliament from Labour MP, Maria Vamvakinou
Article from Star Weekly
https://northern.starweekly.com.au/news/pacific-islander-womens-health-equity-day-making-waves/
Cultural Lunch
Zumba
Our Advocacy
Committees
Engage Pasefika believe in our organic intellect and significance of representation. We are honoured to sit on the;
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Regional Advisory Committee - Victorian Multicultural Commission
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Royal Melbourne Hospital Community Advisory Committee
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DPV Health Community Advisory Network
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Founding Member - Multicultural Womens Alliance against Family Violence
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Safe Landing Project Advisory Committee
Partnering in Health Outcomes Summit
Engage Pasefika co-presented with Northern Health Hospital to advocate experiences from a context of Health Consumer
Pasefika Health Navigator role at Northern health
Engage Pasefika worked closely with Northern Health Hospital on cultural sensitivities and nuances with this culturally specific position
Engage Pasefika submission to the Human Rights Commission
On the 18th June, 2023 the Australian Human Rights Commission called for submissions from people or organisations on youth justice and child wellbeing reform. Given the disproportionate representation of our young pacific island generation in the justice system, Engage Pasefika made our submission from an intersectional Pacific lens.
Please read our
Engage Pasefika submission for the Multicultural Framework Review
From July to September 2023 the Australian Department of Home Affairs called for submissions from individuals and organisations on the review of the Multicultural framework. Engage Pasefika made our submission that beats critically and lands differently.
Please read our
Have you heard of Talanoa cultural practice?
Talanoa is a Pacific led framework recognised by the United Nations. It is a deep and meaningful exchange of storytelling and discussions that centre around building relationships, peace making, conflict resolution and idea generation. It is practiced across pacific nations through varied contexts and widely used in academic research.
