Fua ‘Etau Ngaahi Talanoa Tukufakaholo, mo ‘Etau Fiefia mo e Fakamo’ui ki ‘Api”

Carrying our stories, joy and healing home.

‘aikona is an Indigenous centered and led storytelling, gardening and land stewarding co-op.

We live, work and love on the Wesside of Salt Lake City called Rosa Parks (Rose Park), Glendale and Poplar Grove.

‘aikona was a yearning and tug from the Ancestors and Teti (Dad) of ‘amelia leafaitulagi, known as afā.

afā is the land steward and director of ‘aikona. afā is a Screenwriter, Director and storyteller.

Si’oto’ofa, I greet you in the language of my ancestors and the place of my birth,Tonga. ‘amelia leafaitulagi ‘aikona (she/her/tokouso) is an Indigenous daughter of Moana (Oceania). Afā was raised in Tonga, Hawai'i, by the waters of Paa-Katetan (Utah Lake) to the Pia Paa (Great Salt Lake). Afā has returned to the Pia Okwai (Jordan River) and the Westside from being away on the ancestral homeland of the Lenape (Harlem-New York City), Yelamu (La Mission- San Francisco), Tonga, Sāmoa, Viti (Fiji) and Tongva (Long Beach City and Los Angeles County). While away, afā collectively worked in multimedia, film, organizing, climate justice, social justice work, gardening, youth and elders circles, healing and service.

afā graduated from California State University, Northridge and studied at UCLA in the Native and Asian American Studies program. This year, afā will graduate from the Institute of American Indian Arts with an MFA in Creative Writing.

to my first gardeners, my Dad and my great grandma Mele Lei, my Grandma ‘Amelia Sauliloa Niumeitolu who placed my hands in the soil and ocean water and to my children, Pele and Tangata ‘o Lakepa, our community for keeping my feet planted and watered.

We are seeking and in talks about securing land access for our Indigenous kin Oceania plants.

Community stewardship in Salt Lake City:

Westside Environmental Justice Committee

Westside Review Board

Utah Food Coalition

Vice Chair, School Community Council for Salt Lake City School District

Kaimana Cultural Facilitator, Kaimana Graduate

A fellow and mentored by, Kukui Maunakea Forth of the Ma’o Organic Farms in Wai’anae, Hawai’i

Mentored by Indigenous Poet Laureate and treasure, Joy Harjo

‘Ofa lahi atu Alofa kele aku