Fa'aSamoa (the Samoan Way of Life) a documentary; the Siataga family in SF and more.

I have know the Siataga family for a long time. The entire family is very close to me and I am a better man for their friendship and enduring love. Talofa.

Mrs.Heather Nauer, Ursula's grandmother was a warrior woman and instilled to those around her the Fa'aSamoa way. An unique way of maintaining one's cultural roots, the many Samoan traditions, the dances, food, rituals that go back thousands of years.

For many years I have grown close to the many Polynesian families - not only in San Francisco, in Hawaii, in Australia and New Zealand but other far off places including England and all over the United States.

However, the Siataga family has been very close to my heart and I have tried my best to learn from this family - the many sound traditions and rituals - and have fostered a relationship that has bonded me to most in the Siataga and Nauer - family.

Ursula Siataga has done well for herself - but as I said she had to overcome many hurdles and she has challenged herself, supported her family, empowered her siblings, and with a smile on her face shown the world - that every single person can make a difference.

The short film shown at the wide screen Delmar Theater in Santa Cruz, in the presence of over 350 family was very well received. My good friend Mitchell Salazar accompanied to this event - and we were well received and honorable mention was made by Ursula Siataga about our presence - that means a lot to the two of us.

Initially, Ursula had planned a documentary that would tackle the journey of her family and the many facets of life that many newly arrived Polynesians have to endure and overcome here in San Francisco.

Ursula visited me at my office and interviewed me and at that time the focus of her initial documentary - had her elder sister and my very good friend - Gaynor Siataga as the main subject of her documentary - for her Master's Program in Social Documentation at Santa Cruz - linked to University of California, Santa Cruz.

Life sometimes interrupts well designed plans and throws you a curve ball. Challenges you to seek another viable path, and when some traumatic incident happens - one must think outside the box, listen to your heart, pick yourself up - and face reality, boldly and shine.

This documentary does that and more and brings out the Fa'aSamoa way in a exemplary manner.

When Ursula's grandmother passed away some months ago - many of us were sadden at her passing.

The many advocates in San Francisco in the know, the Elderly, the Samoan Chiefs - the Maitais that counted, among them Ursula Siataga's father - all knew about the keen role of Mrs. Heather Nauer.

The film portrays Mrs. Heather Nauer as a strong warrior woman who instilled in her family the Fa'aSamoa way.

The Nauer and Siataga family is large. Ursula gets her surname from her father side - Siataga.

All those that came in contact with the warrior grandmother Mrs Heather Nauer, Elder, teacher, motivator, facilitator, nurturing mother - saw in her the quintessential Samoan warrior woman - and her trade mark - the preservation of the Fa'aSamoa way.

David Siataga, Ursula's brother; upbeat glimpses in the documentary, the many facets some known others unknown to Ursula's mother and father linked to Ursula's eldest sister, Gaynor Siataga - in her early days living in Public Housing, and reigning the streets in the Mission in San Francisco - reveal a time and place that can no longer be seen today in San Francisco. " Those were the days" and these are the signs of the times.

The Old Guard (OGs) of today are punks compared to those that went through the fire. That is why I deemed it my duty to take Mitchell Salazar - a man of his word, a man that has helped thousands in San Francisco, and who today is well know in higher circles but comfortable on any street in all of San Francisco - so called high places that matter.

Such experiences do not matter on any resume - but in reality - Gaynor Siataga, and others like her - much the same as Mitchell Salazar and John Nauer - Ursula uncle - are well known for their good works and remembered in a good light of their past activities - in keeping with the times - and in due time changed; to make a great difference in present times and quick changing and fleeting - circumstances.

I had the good fortune to meet some of the makers of the other films - and thank Ursula who introduced them to me. I did not have time to watch all the documentary films - some six of them. But, I did four and took a keen interest and focused on Ursula Siataga's documentary - My Fa'aSamoa.

Kudos to all the documentary creators - and your Master's In Social Documentation. You have places to go, things to do, and lives to change and make this universe a better - place.

As you can tell - I was impressed and so was the audience judging from the applause, the comments after many had viewed the documentary - laughing, smiling, crying, and spellbound.

I watched Meredith Heil and her short filmed: Whistling' Dixie: Queer Sounds, New South. Very nice, gives a glimpse of a new generation of Queer activists. My take, it is time Queer folks with talent should empower themselves, take a stand, and initiate home grown talent, take put with little travel to the unknown bigger cities and take their talent - to a higher level - make a last contribution and impression.

The trend to head for the West, in these dire economic times, and the saturation of Queer activities and the tiredness of yester years, the so called Queer Mecca Cities - are pushing many Queer folks in San Francisco, Washing State, New York, and so on - to head for other smaller unknown - Meccas.

The big cities offer some - but, I throughly enjoyed the home grown empowering, talent, and progress in the smaller town. The South may have some cracks in the making - but, it also can offer the best environment for healing and acceptance. Best of all unique talent, sounds, and creation -the best of the best.

Bridgette Uger: ElShelleh (The Guys) portrayed the undertones and the inherent difficulties meted out to Christians and others that the main stream Iraqis consider taboo.

Very well done and an eye opener to the many Americans who have not been exposed to this salient happenings - in Iraq - forcing those that are not accepted to flee to Jordon, Kuwait, Syria, other places including coming to America and suffer the pains and tribulations - while irking out a living.

Kate Trimbull: Abaayo/Sister depicts the lives of two young Somali women - living together in an apartment in San Diego. Reminiscing, a lot of things back home in Somalia while learning and living an independent life in the bustling city of San Diego.

The short films reveals what it means to be a refugee, and have the added burden of being a single women, a Muslim, and face the stares and the media spin in the Main Media - bombarding;that all Muslims are bad and terrorists.

Forced to move out of San Diego by the landlord - Maryam is strong and decides quickly to move to Arizona. Maryam was present at the Theater and it was a pleasure to meet her in person.

Her other friend hesitates to move to Arizona - but the documentary teases us that they have too many things in common - and as luck would have it Roda - joins her friend on the long trip by bus - to seek a better life - who knows.

Lots of humor, adventure, insights to what it means to be a Muslim - self made young women - we must wish both of them the very best. I have many Somali friends and would like them to view this - documentary by Kate Trumbull.

I could not view the other documentaries by Gloria Moran: The Unique Ladies. Natalie Rold: Paved with Good Intentions.

My good friend Mitch Salazar and I left San Cruz late - we took Higway 17 and on our way back to San Francisco drove over 10 miles with one lane closed.

My good friend Mitch passed his defensive driving test - the winding roads, the bad lighting at night, the many other obstacles - did not dampen the up lifting of our spirits from watching the documentaries - that we had just watched to our hearts content.

We really wanted to honor Ursual Siatga with our presence and were humbled by the work of all her classmates and her own documentary. We, wish them the best and look forward to more of the same and better - creations.

Kudos the to Social Documentation Faculty and Staff. The Community Studies and Department of Faculty and Staff. The Affliliated Faculty Members and Staff. The Social Documentation Lecturers. The Social Sciences Media and Laboratory Staff. The Social Documentation Advisory Board Members. Thanks to Dean Sheldon Kamieniecki and his staff of the Division of Social Sciences.

Scott Griffin and the Del Mar Theater. You must feel proud of the theater and what is more the maintenance of it - well kept and maintained.

To the many present, over 350 - thanks of your enthusiasm and encouragement. We, in America can learn much from of creators of Arts and that includes films. These artists are the soul of our Nation and teach us to take the pulse of the times - with their in depth - creations.

I would be remiss if I did not thank Renee Tajima-Pena, Professor and Graduate Program Director.

There are others that should be mentioned - you know who you are. Thanks for all you do and your support, sharing and giving.

Not much has changed on the streets of Santa Cruz on a warm night, lot of people, music, fun loving people - and love shared and spread every where. We even witness some live music and serenading.

We were famished on our arrived to Santa Cruz - a long drive from San Francisco. We stopped at Cafe Mare - loved the food. My friend Mitchell Salazar ordered Salmon and I had Cod. All in all - it hit the spot.
After dinner we headed to the Theater. We were just in time and ready for a fine evening of viewing some choice documentaries.

Cafe Mare is situated on 740 Front Street not far from 1124 Pacific Street. We parked our vehicle at Cafe Mare's own parking lot with the permission of the owner - he extended his generosity allowing us to extend the two hour parking to over four - speaks a lot for him and hence this plug.

As I said the food was excellent and the service great. We will return.

To Bridgette Auger, Meredith Heil, Gloria Moran, Natalie Rold, Ursual Siataga, and Kate Trumball - what can I say - go girls and I wish you all the very - best.

Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy