Arieta Rika
Arieta Talanoa is an Australian-born Fijian and Tongan. After finishing school in Tonga, Arieta moved back to Sydney and found her calling. A need to provide a space for Pacific people to share their stories, led her to found a digital platform for Pacific storytelling called Talanoa.
As a writer and the founder of Talanoa, her passion focuses on creating a gateway that allows people from around the world to connect through the power of our stories, especially informing them about the effects of climate change.
She provides a safe space for Pacific storytellers, while providing an access point for other Pacific people to consume these stories.
The deeper purpose of Talanoa is to challenge stereotypes from both within the Pacific community, and from outside of it. To show people the diversity of Pacific people through our stories.
She believes our stories humanise us and help us to relate to one another, thus challenging negative stereotypes that exist around what it means to be a Pacific person.
“The world must recognise and create change now – otherwise many of our island homes may not be around in 25 years’ time.
I see the Pacific surviving, thriving and leading the way in terms of advocacy, innovation, and sustainability – particularly when it comes to indigenous and environmental issues. The Pacific will be at the forefront of meaningful change when it comes to creating better communities – and a better planet – for people across the globe.”
Take a look at her legacy down below.