Latoya Aroha Rule

This part is done… a lifetime left to fight ✊🏽 There are many people to thank - as my work is embargoed for the next two years to honour some next steps & conduct further consultation with the release and archival aspects, it will continue to grow & develop into more public creative works; in which case, I withhold my thanks for now more than those listed within who I will reach out to soon, personally ❤️ In saying that, of course, I dedicate this work to my niece, Wayne’s daughter. There is no one more special to receive this in full. You were on my mind every day, every internal dialogue, every consideration - I imagined you sitting with me at times. To you I wish only a blessed life, great love, and safety - in abundance. Before you stands a family with many big open arms, ready for when you’re ready. To my Mum & Dad, siblings, nephews and nieces - I feel you are proud of this, even though it’s hard to bear. You were also deeply considered in many parts. Thank you for loving me, I’m sorry, and I love you. And, finally, to the Blak women included as co-researchers who really made it what it is, Mum Caroline Andersen, Aunty Leetona Dungay, Lizzie Jarrett, Taleah and Makayla Reynolds, your families and extended communities - I express my deepest respect and gratitude to you. Your contribution as experts in this field of research is significant and stands as a testament to your love for your people and family. You exemplify the beauty of solidarity, and I have enjoyed standing with you. In loving memory of Nathan Reynolds, David Dungay Jr. and Wayne Fella Morrison. 🌬️

Today I graduated with my Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Thank you so much to my supervisors, Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO and Associate Professor Bhuva Narayan for attending and being on stage! Thank you also to Emeritus Professor Michael McDaniel AO, and congratulations to Associate Dean Lachlan McDaniel in the award of his PhD too! I also thank my parents and my friends (especially @saganaki15 ) and Jumbunna colleagues for attending and celebrating with me, and for the MANY gifts and flowers - I may start a florist as a side gig! I love you all, this journey was a big one and to graduate after 14 years right through in the university sector is a highlight that’ll take me a long time to truly appreciate the effort; my body and mind feel it though, don’t you worry! Haha thank you again most of all to my own family and all the families involved in this specific work 🌟 and lastly, sincere thanks to my Dad for the gift of my korowai and to Associate Professor Pauline Clague for my etched possum skin 🖤

When you finally get to wear the “one day it’ll fit” dress you bought years ago, sitting at the back of your cupboard. I can’t say I styled it well, but there’s hopefully time for that 🙏🏽

‘Write back or get written out!’ - a work by @jessicasabogal , inspiring me as I embark today on a new part of the journey in developing the Blak Space Framework! 💛🖤❤️🤍✍️

Via AAPS: Warm Pacific greetings, mauri, niina marni, bula, kia orana, bozu, kia ora, malo e lelei, halo, talofa, ia orana, to the 2026 Executive of the Australian Association for Pacific Studies! 🌺 We are proud to introduce this year’s leadership: 🔹 Prof. Katerina Teaiwa – President 🔹 Dr Romitesh Kant (new!) – Vice President 🔹 Dr Talei Mangioni – Secretary 🔹 Dr Laura Simpson Reeves – Treasurer 🔹 Prof. Rebecca Monson – Public Officer 🔹 Liam Kokaʻua (new!) – Postgraduate Representative 🔹 Hilary Gorman (new!) – Postgraduate Representative 🔹 Dr Latoya Aroha Rule (new!) – Community Connections 🔹 Opeta Alefaio Community Connections 🔹 Soli Middleby – Community Connections 🔹 Dr Marama Salsano – Newsletter Editor 🔹 Dr Dr Ruth Faleolo – Newsletter Editor 🔹 Website Editor – currently vacant 🔹 Assoc. Prof. Mandy Treagus – Publications Mentoring Program Coordinator 🌊 Dr Emma Powell will convene the AAPS Biennial Conference 2027 / Te Puna Vai Marama. A heartfelt thank you to our outgoing Executive for your dedicated service to the Pacific Studies community. We especially acknowledge Assoc. Prof. Victoria Stead for her leadership as President since 2023. We also extend our gratitude to Sarouche Razi (Postgraduate Representative), Romitesh Kant (Postgraduate Representative), Mere Taito (Newsletter Editor), and Myles Maniapoto (Website Manager) for their invaluable contributions over the past few years. Your work has strengthened our vibrant and committed association, thank you. 📣 We are currently seeking a Website Editor/Manager. If you’re interested in contributing to AAPS in this role, we would love to hear from you. Stay connected here, and consider joining our association via our website, to keep up with exciting updates, including plans for our 2027 conference, coming very soon. #PacificStudies #AAPS #Community

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Today’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service events, where many witnessed the ‘booing’ of First Nations speakers particularly at memorials held across Gadigal Nura/ Sydney, Boorloo/ Perth and Naarm/ Melbourne, underscore a systemic issue that cannot be ignored... While we send our support to First Nations Elders like Pastor Ray Minniecon, Uncle Mark Brown, and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, support alone isn’t enough. The Australian Government is conducting a National Inquiry into racism, hate, and violence - which is closing soon on 1 May! This is a critical window to ensure instances like these are documented at the highest level. How you can help ➡️ Whether you are a First Nations person or an ally, you can report instances of racism and discrimination against First Nations people by visiting the Call It Out website. Our platform also allows you to simultaneously submit your report to the National Inquiry, so this moment may be recorded as part of federal evidence in the hopeful step toward systemic change. Tile art: @yuluwirribaa @abcindigenous #ANZACDay2026 ❤️🖤💛

Most beautiful sun-drenched morning, had to capture the homecoming 🦅🥹

Beautiful night on Kaurna Yarta with loved ones. Impressed by the mob who dreamed up, designed and developed Yitpi Yartapuultiku! Such a deadly cultural centre I feel mob across the continent can learn from and will be so nice to see how it will grow over the years! Thanks @dominiceliseo 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾🫂

Incredibly proud of the Nungas; Ngarrindjeri Women and their families have frequently been at the forefront of creative, artistic, protest movements for Land, culture, language and family, that have sparked national discussions toward reform. Yet, they are rarely made visible in their work. This exhibition opens up space - “as an intergenerational love letter to Ngarrindjeri women…” and how beautiful is that! Amongst all the artists (especially @tarkari.art for letting me touch her woven work freely - thank you lol), I’m also really proud of my friends/ extended kin @dominiceliseo & @jyduhh who continue to move mountains in the Indigenous arts space on this continent, and placing SA Nungas on the map, especially miminis! Big love and congratulations - so glad I could make it home in time for the final day…🥹🫶🏽

Turns out I’m not half-bad at something… Did have to call upon Tāwhirimātea & Tangaroa to pick us up for a minute there though, was a great morning and it feels really cool to be out on the water in this capacity of gaining my sailing qualifications 🌊⛵️🌬️

Call It Out is available 24/7/365. For a limited time, we are offering support to help community make submissions to the Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. For submission help, we invite you to contact us before 24 April. Support is available by: - Filling out the online form at: callitout.com.au/racisminquiry - Emailing: [email protected] - Calling or texting: 0430054425 Every story matters. Submissions help build the evidence needed for change and ensure our experiences are on the record. There has never been a more important time to call out racism, hatred and violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.