'ofa ki tonga

A virtual space to learn and discuss the Tongan language + culture.

About

This virtual space started back in May 2020 as an invitation to all with a desire to learn the Tongan language and culture. We meet weekly over a Tongan lēsoni, then continue to pō talanoa about other related topics. In February 2021, Honorable Frederica Tuita was invited as a guest speaker and conveyed to us that her mother, HRH Princess Pilolevu herself wanted to gift the group the name of “‘Ofa ki Tonga” for us in the diaspora to remember the love for our motherland.

Purpose

In addition to remembering our love for the motherland, the purpose of the 'Ofa Ki Tonga platform is to provide a space for Tongans everywhere to reconnect with our core values in our culture and language. Furthermore, we hope to amplify and validate our many different experiences across the diaspora.We are also an evolving decolonizing space. This may come with a lot of discomfort as we aim to deconstruct colonial mindsets, rhetoric and behaviors in our communities through thoughtful and provoking talanoa.

Rules of Engagement

Our rules of engagement are aligned with our Tongan core values and how we choose to define them in this space. We have taken a lot of time and intention in creating these rules of engagement. If any of these rules make you feel called out, please sit with why that is. Feel free to reach out to folks who are willing to unpack that together with you.If you’re viewing this on your mobile phone, please be sure to slide side to side to show the full table below.

Faka’apa’apa	Anga Fakatōkilalo	Tauhi Vā/Vaha’a	Mamahi’i Me’a
Acknowledging and returning respect.	Humility and open to learning.	Keeping the relationship ongoing, alive and well.	Loyalty and passion.

Faka’apa’apa

Be respectful of others learning and reconnecting journey.
Be respectful of others backgrounds. We do not tolerate racism + other harmful language/behavior.
As a decolonizing space, we advocate Indigenous sovereignty and the right to self determination, especially for our fellow siblings in the Pacific.
We stand with our leitī and queer community. We have zero tolerance for homophobic, anti-queer slurs/rhetoric.
We stand with our Kāinga ‘Uli’uli (Black community). We have zero tolerance for racism and anti-Blackness. We do not use the n-word, appropriation of AAVE (African-American Vernacular English), or other related derogatory terms/rhetoric.

Anga Fakatōkilalo
Loto tō

Be open to learning other perspectives and experiences that are different from your own.
Accept humility and take in accountability when called out for causing harm unto others.
Sit and lean in to discomfort.
Admit when you have caused harm to others.
Your impact > Your intentions.
Accountability is love.

Tauhi Vaha’a
Tauhi Vā

Remember we are a collective. Find ways to reconnect with our Tongan communities (motherland or diaspora) the best you can and to your capacity.
When bringing up heavy topics of discussion, esp regarding harm and violence, please consider prefacing trigger warnings for the well-being of others in the space. Please also be mindful not to engage in trauma dumping.
Check-in with each other.
In cases of harm done, reach out and offer/ask ways to help or ways to amend any harm you’ve caused.
Accept the consequences when you aren’t following the rules of engagement (possible suspension from the group until actions to making amends are made.)

Mamahi’i Me’a

This space prioritizes our loyalty to Tongans first and foremost!
Non-Tongans are always welcomed! Please help and contribute where you can, but do not take up or speak over Tongans sharing valid experiences/perspectives.
In return, please show your loyalty to this space and attend weekly meetings as much as possible. Everyone and everything involved and done in this space is voluntary. Remind others to attend and bring good energy. Please show up for those who take time to share knowledge with us, esp our monthly Guest Speaker.
Be a better ally to those most marginalized in our communities.
Speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

Meeting Times
And Registration

OKT zoom talanoa meetings are weekly on zoom. Every month will be a different schedule, so be sure to check our posts for updates or send us a DM on Instagram!

Resources

Here are some online Tongan resources we have put together for further learning of Tongan culture and language. Please note: this list is not complete; we at 'OKT will continue adding to this list.