Sue Taei Ocean Daughters
Our Sue Taei Ocean Daughters bring the insights of traditional Indigenous knowledge to some of the most pressing challenges for sustainable development in the Pacific region. They exemplify the love that their villages raised them in, the empathy that is needed when in the face of adversity and the spirit of Sue Taei, whose passion for ocean conservation and dedication to mentoring future generations of Indigenous women leaders in the region carries on through their work.
2023 Sue Taei Ocean Daughter
Fealofani Bruun
(Samoan Descent) 2024 Sue Taei Ocean Daughter
Fealofani Bruun is a Samoan sailor and the first Samoan woman to qualify as a yachtmaster. She serves as the captain of Gaualofa, Samoas traditional Va’a (canoe) with the Samoa Voyaging Society. Fealofani is committed to preserving Polynesian navigation traditions and empowering Pacific communities through voyaging and cultural education. In recognition of her achievements, she was named one of BBC's 100 Women.
Women, Va’a, and STEM is an initiative that weaves together traditional Pacific voyaging, cultural preservation, and modern STEM education to empower women as leaders in ocean conservation and navigation. The project focuses on restoring traditional va'a (canoes), training all-female crews in ancestral navigation and maritime skills, and documenting Samoan whale lore to preserve and celebrate cultural heritage.
By creating a repository of fa’agogo (stories) and chants about whales, the project honours indigenous knowledge while integrating advanced scientific practices. Activities include biodiversity mapping, whale identification, and coastal habitat monitoring using innovative tools such as drones and hydrophones. The initiative also supports women in gaining maritime certifications and leadership skills. From this there will be two crew members who will be identified and trained up for captaincy.
The Fellowship supports Fealofani in documenting and sharing her knowledge and the knowledge of others to inspire a new generation of female leaders, committed to protecting the Pacific Ocean and its rich heritage.
Naima Te Maile Fifita
(Tuvalu descent)
2023 Sue Taei Ocean Daughter
Naima is a recent graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi (Mānoa), where she studied environmental law with a focus on Pacific climate displacement and served as President of the Pacific Islander Legal Association. She also received certificates in Environmental Law and Native Hawaiian Rights. With familial roots in Tuvalu and family residing across the South Pacific, Naima is committed to collaborating with communities in the region to combat the effects of climate change with resilience and culturally appropriate restorative justice approaches. Her Pacific Islander and multicultural upbringing and world-embracing views have charged her engagement in numerous environmental spaces and discourses, particularly environmental justice non-profit work, legal research, education, and policy transformation.
The Fellowship supports Naima in documenting the experiences and perspectives of her Tuvaluan and Pacific community on climate change and statelessness. It aims to preserve their traditional ecological wisdom in the face of climate displacement. Naima also plans to pursue a Masters in International Environmental Law, focusing on climate migration and ocean diplomacy. Additionally, she hopes to create a program for collective capacity-building across Pacific communities, empowering them in environmental issues like resilience, advocacy, stewardship, and cultural connection.
2022 Sue Taei Ocean Daughters
Krystal Elizabeth Selwood Juffa
(Papua New Guinea and Samoan descent)
2022 Sue Taei Ocean Daughter
Krystal, a Law and psychology student at the University of the South Pacific, is a climate justice activist, human rights advocate, and champion for indigenous communities across the Pacific. She actively engages with Youngsolwara Pacific and is a Fellow of the Sue Taei Ocean Fellowship aiga. For over 15 years, Krystal has expressed her creativity as a poet, singer- songwriter, and artist. She utilises her artistic talents to raise
awareness on environmental issues and empower Pacific youth, emphasising the crucial role they play in their communities and the world. Krystal promotes unity and change through advocacy, firmly believing that any harm to nature or indigenous beliefs is a disrespectful act and a threat to livelihood. She also advocates for the sovereignty of West Papua, emphasising that no Pacific island nation can be truly free until this is achieved.
Iulah Pitamama
(Lauru Land Community Tribal Of Conference, Solomon Islands )
2022 Sue Taei Ocean Daughter
A provincial Fisheries Officer working in a male-dominated industry. The Fellowship will support her in gaining a post-graduate diploma in climate change, through the University of the South Pacific. The course will greatly increase her skills in navigating what she sees as a disconnect between national, provincial and community policies and actions in responding to climate change in the Solomon Islands.
She’s spent much of the last five years working with the provincial government on protecting and managing biodiversity, and responding to climate change threats and impacts. She also advocates at provincial level for informed choices for sustainable development, supporting the efforts of many local partners who are addressing regional conservation issues.
2021 Sue Taei Ocean Daughters
Te Aomihia Walker
(Ngāti Porou)
2021 Sue Taei Ocean Daughter
The Sue Taei Ocean Fellowship supported Te Aomihia’s participation in the six-month UNESCO Fisheries Training Program in Iceland where she developed her understanding of fisheries management, industry, and resource economics. The learning exchange was definitely two-way, with Te Aomihia sharing her knowledge of Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview) and Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) with her teachers and fellow students.
Since her return, she has instigated a series of consultations to develop sustainable coastal policies and practices for her village and tribe. Her work to protect and advance the interests of Māori in marine environmental management has increasing importance at a local and national scale.
During her time as a fellow, Te Aomihia also spoke widely, at international meetings and in the media, about her work and the Fellowship. Highlights include being plenary speaker at the 2022 Arctic Circle Assembly and on an Indigenous Peoples Panel at COP27.
Celebrating Te Aomihia: A Pillar of Leadership and Community Service
The Sue Taei Ocean Fellowship Village is immensely proud of Te Aomihia and her remarkable achievements during her time with us. Te Aomihia has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her advocacy in the fisheries sector and her unwavering commitment to her communities.
During her fellowship, Te Aomihia not only excelled in her career but also exemplified dedication to her community in times of crisis. Amid the devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on Gisborne, Te Aomihia applied her knowledge and skills, gained from both our program and her village, to aid her community. Her actions underscored the diverse ways one can combat climate change—through fisheries, policy, and community service.
We are honoured to count Te Aomihia as an alumna of our program and remain committed to supporting her future endeavours.
Tepoerau Mai
(Tahitian and Marquesan descent)
2021 Sue Taei Ocean Daughter
Based in New Caledonia, Tepoe has used the support of the Sue Taei Ocean Fellowship to further research on micro-algae, focusing on the risk of toxic and harmful micro-algae on human health and on shellfish farming. Ciguatera fish poisoning affects up to 200,000 people in Oceania annually. Through her fellowship, she gained the confidence to apply for the Young Talents 2021 L’Oréal-UNESCO Award For Women in Science.
The scholarship allowed her to travel to France for a month to work with specialists in toxic micro-algae at Ifremer laboratories in Concarneau and Nantes, identifying species present in New Caledonia and analysing the toxins produced by these organisms. She also presented her research to a global audience and attended a two-week mentoring intensive. In her final year as a fellow, Tepoe has co-authored four research papers, secured permanent employment in her field in Tahiti, identified a new species of marine sponge, and talked at local schools about the beauty of studying science.
Honoring Tepoe: A Beacon of Resilience and Compassion
The Sue Taei Ocean Fellowship Village is immensely proud to support Tepoe and celebrate the incredible work she has done with us and continues to do. Tepoe has exemplified resilience, moving through challenges with kindness and love.
During her time with us, Tepoe faced numerous challenges as one of the few brown women in ocean research, navigating the biases and inequities in a predominantly white and male-dominated field. The Sue Taei Fellowship is in awe of how Tepoe holds herself in these spaces and continues to give back to her community through STEM initiatives and cultural traditions—all while being an incredible mother.
We are deeply proud of Tepoe and remain committed to supporting her future endeavors.
Banner image (French Polynesia) © Photo Rodolphe Holler