Josefina Nahoe Mulloy

"My expectation is that my MA in Indigenous Education will allow me to support and promote the indigenous education movement on Rapa Nui.  At the moment we have one new pre-school, Hoηa’a Re’o Rapa Nui which has a definite focus not only on Rapa Nui language but also traditional Rapa Nui knowledge systems.  My hope is that someday soon we will have a proper K-12 charter school with this same focus.

 I believe that the hope for saving our language and culture will be  held in the hands of the youngest generations and therefore their education must go deeper than just dancing and singing for local festivals. To posse knowledge and information about a culture; arts, skills and language is important but one must truly experience the culture completely in order to create the heart and spirit of an indigenous person.  It must start with reinforcing the ancient Rapa Nui value system and reconnecting this young generation to their ancestry and their land while simultaneously creating a sense of ownership and responsibility. When this relationship and intimacy with the true cultural value system is established it paves a path of traditional practice for us to follow.  We are welcomed home.

When considering just one person who has been the most influential in my life you might think it difficult.  As a guide on Rapa Nui, I have had opportunities to meet extraordinary people from a variety of backgrounds all who have been very generous with their insight and support.   However when choosing that special person my choice is clear and immediate.    My maternal aunt, Brigid Mulloy, has played a significant role in shaping me into the person I am today . She has had an amazing life taking her from the cold of Laramie, Wyoming to her second home on Rapa Nui and ultimately establishing her Polynesian roots in Hawaii where she is proud to stand in support of Hawaiian families with her midwifery.   I look to her as a role model and aspire to have her wisdom, patience and grace.  We come from a family of genius type overachieving academics, an atmosphere which can be quite overwhelming when growing up.  My "Auntie Briggy" always reassured me that I was enough and that although I might not have the competitive drive of some of the others there was no doubt of my worth.  Her deep spirituality has been a great support  to me throughout my life."