New generation of students carries Tongan culture forward
A new generation of students from north-west Victoria is learning about their culture and taking it to the Melbourne stage.
Twenty-four Robinvale Secondary College students, part of the Tongan dance group Si i Kae Hā, ventured to Melbourne to showcase their culture. The group from Victoria's north-west region aimed to connect young Tongan students with their roots, thousands of miles away from the Kingdom of Tonga. Si i Kae Hā, meaning "small but significant" in Tongan, was the first regional Victorian group to grace the 4Cs Showcase in its 20-year history.
Last week, the group braved an eight-hour journey from Robinvale to perform at the Melbourne showcase. College captains Sione Heitonga and Ruby Hingano, who are both Aboriginal and Tongan, founded the dance group in 2023 to foster cultural connections among students. For Ruby, joining the group helped her discover a newfound understanding of her own identity and heritage.
Si i Kae Hā's success was made possible by the tireless efforts of education support workers Lueni Kolofale and Samuel Fangatua, both of whom grew up in Robinvale and were taught by Tongan elders. The duo saw an opportunity to rebuild the group's cultural presence after many of their school's previous opportunities had been lost. As Mr Fangatua pointed out, "They're not going to do well in their education if they don't know who they are."
The group's commitment to their culture extended beyond dance, with students exploring Tongan traditions, language, and values. Ms Kolofale emphasized that participating in the performances and trips reinforced the importance of respect and love in their lives.
The community rallied behind the students, raising $10,000 for their trip to Melbourne. Parents, Tongan elders, and even the students' grandparents played a crucial role in dressing the students in traditional attire and teaching them the dances. The collective effort culminated in the students' triumphant performance at the 4Cs Showcase, a journey made possible by the unwavering support of their community and school.
For their teachers, witnessing the students carry their culture onto the Melbourne stage was a moment of awe. Despite the nerves, the students were filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment. For now, Si i Kae Ha continues to empower Robinvale students to carry their culture forward, even from a thousand kilometers away.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
