Talanoa at the Table: A/PI Stories of Belonging
May 20, 2026 | by NBA Cares
By Taulau Tupua, A/PI Young Adults Peer Group cohort member
Seattle felt like a family reunion. Not the kind where you already know everyone, but the kind where you meet people for the first time and somehow feel like you’ve known them for years. What began as a cohort has become chosen family; people invested in one another’s lives, faith journeys, and callings. From the moment we arrived, surrounded by vibrant autumn colors and cool air, there was a shared sense of joy and expectation.
A meaningful thread throughout the retreat emerged around the table. In our reflections, my peers named it as representation and celebration as well as an acknowledgment that we are disciples who carry culture with us. Someone described it as a beautiful tapestry of colors, fabrics, and heritages, reminding us that Asian and Pacific Islanders are not a monolith. Others spoke of pride in who we are, of warmth shared in the midst of cold autumn air, and of freedom found in being fully seen.
Listening to these reflections, I felt grounded in the truth that we belong. Not individually, but together. Sharing stories, moments, and reflections in this way was a living example of a sacred relational Samoan word: Talanoa. Talanoa is a dialogue process focused on sharing stories, engaging relationships, and building upon the collective wisdom. Our Talanoa was marked with honesty, heart-to-heart storytelling that holds space for our identities and experiences.
Another powerful moment of the retreat was our visit to the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Memorial. Walking the path lined with names of children, elders, and families was heavy. Though I am not Japanese, I felt deeply connected to their stories. Their suffering felt familiar, almost ancestral. As an A/PI person, I recognized the pain of displacement, erasure, and resilience. In honoring their history, I found language for parts of my own identity.
That recognition did not stay intellectual it became embodied. Standing among the silhouettes and footsteps leading away, I grieved those who never returned. I also felt a renewed commitment to remembering and telling the truth. In the cold air and damp ground that smelled like a fresh start, I was reminded that our stories matter.
This retreat affirmed that leadership can be gentle, joy can be shared, and faith can be embodied. We left Seattle carrying one another with us. We were committed to being witnesses and bringing our whole selves to the table, together, continuing the talanoa that began there.
Minister Taulau Tupua is Samoan, Filipino, and Niuean and currently serves as a Chaplain Resident at Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance and San Pedro, California. Residing on Tongva & Gabrieleño lands, he is under the care of the Pacific Southwest Region for ordination with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has served as Director of Family Ministries and Associate Pastor of Youth & Mission, bringing creativity, compassion, and connection to his work.