Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Opening ceremony was held recently for the Pae ma le Auli Organization hosted “Tiu Lelatasi Training”. The training is a multidisciplinary training funded through the Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) under the VAWA-STOP Grant Award. Its aims are to strengthen collaboration among community organizations, government agencies, and advocates working to end abuse and violence.

Governor Pulaali‘i N. Pula and First Lady Lois Pula attended the opening ceremony, and in his remarks, the governor commended the leadership of the Pae ma le Auli Organization for their steadfast commitment to combating violence and promoting healing within the community.

He also acknowledged their President, High Chief Leiataua Leuga A. Turner and Vice President Ipu Avegalio Lefiti for their many years of service to our community through their organization. “This is a very important training and mission as it supports and includes every family in our territory,” said Governor Pulaali‘i. “It is often our relatives that abuse — and it should stop. I hope this training on these sensitive issues will help resolve, minimize, and ultimately eliminate abuse in our community.”

The Governor emphasized the importance of compassion and mindfulness, urging everyone to be sensitive to those suffering from pain and trauma, particularly families, children, and women. “We must stop violence and abuse against women and children,” the Governor added. “This is not what God intended for our people or our families.”

Governor Pulaali‘i concluded by encouraging all participants and organizations to continue their mission of education, advocacy, and healing affirming that true strength lies in unity, respect, and the protection of every member of the community.

​BACKGROUND

The Tiu Lelatasi Training is designed to build system-wide responses to domestic violence, strangulation, child physical and sexual abuse, and human trafficking. In addition to justice-based topics, the training features sessions on motivational interviewing and addressing trauma and resilience through art.

On its final day, October 8, the program included a partnership with Compassion and Choices, a national organization focused on access to end-of-life planning resources. These sessions explore motivational interviewing and culturally responsive ways to discuss end-of-life transitions with families, as well as how to approach these sensitive topics through the lens of art.