Amista Lujan, Staff Writer
Saint Martin’s University is home to many different multicultural clubs. Many of the students that attend our university hail from many places, and a large majority of these students come from the Pacific islands. The Pacific Islanders club aims to provide a safe space and community for these students to have a home away from home feeling. And one major event they hold is Pacifica night.
I had the opportunity to have an electronic interview with Saint Martin’s Pacific Islander club president, vice president, and club advisor. The first question I asked was, what is Pacifica Night and what is its importance as a club activity? The response I received was
Pacifica Night is a special evening where we come together to share the vibrant cultures of the Pacific islands through dance, music, and traditional attire. It’s a fun and engaging event that brings our club members closer as we learn about and celebrate each other’s unique backgrounds. The preparations for Pacifica Night are a collaborative effort, allowing us to bond while organizing this exciting showcase of Pacific Island culture.
Receiving this response allowed me to feel their excitement and commitment to continuing this legacy event. They had explained that this year’s theme is “The creation of the Pacific” which means that every dance that is performed will explain the creation story of that particular island’s legend. To get a better feeling and understanding of what island groups are being represented, they further explained that “We are trying to represent as much of the Pasifika as possible. We want to recognize the different regions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. We want to celebrate the Pacific culture as a whole, while also recognizing that each region and each island within their respective regions continue to have their own cultures. Despite these differences, we are still one and want to showcase that with Pasifika night.”
This event will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024, with the doors opening at 6:00 PM and the event will run from 7:00 to 10:00 PM. Students can buy their tickets online or with cash at the Trautman Union building, or from any of their E boards.
This club aims to welcome any student of any ethnic background to participate in performing or assisting with the event as they stated “We currently have many members who do not identify as Pacific Islanders! EVERYONE AND ANYONE CAN JOIN as long as they are open to learning about our cultures, respectfully!”
It is so awesome to see how much effort they put into this type of event for the same Martins community to enjoy because “It’s a lot, way more than anyone think. Planning an event for 400+ people while considering food, entertainment, budgeting, where we’re getting our outfits from, practicing dances, finding volunteers, marketing, and so much more minor details. A lot of dedication, love, and passion for what we’re trying to convey through this event is the root of our motivation.” And this includes the many students that are participating in helping teach their cultural dances to the other members.
They want the same Martins community to know:
IF YOU WANT TO SEE US, GET DOWN… BE THERE!
Pasifika Night will be a night to remember! A night with delicious food, Pasifika games and goodies, and dances from a variety of cultural Pacific Islander performances
The Belltower 