Spirit of Tivaevae
Spirit of Tivaevae
by Melodie Turori
Melodie Turori
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A warm tropical island in the South Pacific is last place you'd expect to find a cultural history of quilting more than 150 years old. All contributions are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions.
A warm tropical island in the South Pacific is last place you'd expect to find a cultural history of quilting more than 150 years old. All contributions are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions.
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From the Heart Productions
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About The Project
NOW through June 13: A generous sponsor is matching all contributions up to a total of $500!!
All contributions are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions.
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Growing up, I was aware that my blood held a dual heritage, but I didn’t begin to understand how that identity might impact my life until I was 21. As I began to dive into my Cook Islands roots I learned the term “coconut,” slang for a person who is brown on the outside but white on the inside. “Coconut” is mostly used in a derogatory fashion, but it's the best way to explain how I feel in the presence of other Pacific Islanders who know their culture.
The more young Pacific Islanders I meet, the more I realize that I am not alone in harboring the secret fear that I’ll never quite measure up. I’ve also come to realize this is a ridiculous fear that holds too many of us back from embracing cultures we were born to inherit.
Our heritage is there if we choose to grasp it — there is no shame in being a coconut who is late to the cultural party (hey man, we were just running on Island time!)
With a little help from Google, I found my invitation to the cultural party in the art of tivaevae. When images of the vibrant, meticulously hand sewn quilts popped onto the computer screen my jaw dropped.
This wasn't the first time I'd seen tivaevae. My family had been keeping three of the queen-sized blankets tucked away in closet for years. We just didn't know what they were or why they were important.
My dad tells me he can remember being sent outside to play so his mum could use the living room floor to work on her tivaevae. Based on tradition, she should have been the first person I called once I decided to learn tivaevae — however, my nana has dementia now and that avenue of learning has been closed to me. I wish I would have known to ask her about tivaevae 9 years ago, the last time we spent time together.
There are still many living tivaevae artists, mamas with decades of knowledge and wisdom that will enrich the lives of many young women — if that knowledge is preserved.
Creating this documentary is a way to share the wisdom of the women who came before us, to preserve their stories and place in history for future generations.Incentives
$5
Download 3 tivaevae wallpaper for your smartphone + Shout out on social media and “special thanks” on our website$10
Set of 6 high res JPEG photographs from the Cook Islands & New Zealand + $5 reward$25
Digital download of the film after its world premiere + Handwritten postcard mailed from the Cook Islands! (est. delivery August 2015) + $10 reward$50
Special “Sights & Sounds of the Cook Islands” video + All previous rewards (film download, postcard, and photos)$100
PDF download of Melodie’s Travel Journal (this will have exclusive photos, quotes, stories and reflections!) + “Special Thanks” credit at the end of the film + All previous rewards$300
2016 wall calendar (featuring photos, stills from the film, and quotes. Est. delivery: Dec. 2015) + All previous rewards$500
Signed hard copy of Melodie’s Travel Journal (coffee table book style!) + All previous rewards$1,000
Associate Producer credit at the end of the film + All previous rewardsClaimed: 0 of 2
$2,000
Two tivaevae pillow covers (pillows not included) + All previous rewards (including the Associate Producer credit!)
Claimed: 0 of 1
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$5
Download 3 tivaevae wallpaper for your smartphone + Shout out on social media and “special thanks” on our website$10
Set of 6 high res JPEG photographs from the Cook Islands & New Zealand + $5 reward$25
Digital download of the film after its world premiere + Handwritten postcard mailed from the Cook Islands! (est. delivery August 2015) + $10 reward$50
Special “Sights & Sounds of the Cook Islands” video + All previous rewards (film download, postcard, and photos)$100
PDF download of Melodie’s Travel Journal (this will have exclusive photos, quotes, stories and reflections!) + “Special Thanks” credit at the end of the film + All previous rewards$300
2016 wall calendar (featuring photos, stills from the film, and quotes. Est. delivery: Dec. 2015) + All previous rewards$500
Signed hard copy of Melodie’s Travel Journal (coffee table book style!) + All previous rewards$1,000
Associate Producer credit at the end of the film + All previous rewardsClaimed: 0 of 2
$2,000
Two tivaevae pillow covers (pillows not included) + All previous rewards (including the Associate Producer credit!)
Claimed: 0 of 1
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Melodie Turori, Director/ProducerMelodie co-produced OC Crime Catchers, a 3-part television series that aired on PBS OC and was nominated for Best Documentary/Reality at ITVFest 2011. She is currently the Digital Content Coordinator for Sportscasters Talent Agency of America and a freelance editor and shooter at Garden Grove Channel 3. Melodie is the Cook Islands representative on the Pacific Islander Community Council (PICC) and an active member of PACCC.Apii Napa, Cook Islands Field ProducerI have always had a passion to work in the Media field. I worked at our local TV station as writer for the local herald and anchor to present our local news every night. This passion eventually helped me two years ago to make on behalf of the Cook Islands National Council for Women my first short film and the Cook Islands first ever short film made locally. The short film “The Island Night” depicts the story of a young girl’s reality when faced with illness of a parent and the decisions she has to make.
I believe that film making is an important means to share stories. To raise the capacity of Cook Islands story tellers to tell their own digital stories to the world.Click here to read more about Apii.Ani O’Neill, Cook Islands Field ProducerArerangi “Sammy” Tongia, Cultural AdvisorFormer Director/Curator, National Museum of the Cook Islands, Ministry of Cultural Development, Government of the Cook Islands. -
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