United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance - WA

As we are just days away from the start of our MANAFest™ week of festivities, we want to send a big thank you to our amazing sponsors who have made this event possible.

Hibiscus Sponsors
- EPIC Empowering Pacific Islander Communities
- Karin and Katrina Tufono

Bird of Paradise Sponsors
- Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines
- Inatai Foundation Inatai Foundation
- ARCORA Foundation Arcora Foundation
- UW Medicine UW Medicine

Gardenia Sponsors
- Delta Dental Delta Dental Insurance Company
- Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente Washington
- FʻINE Pasifika Aotearoa Trust F’INE Pasifika Aotearoa Trust

Orchid Sponsors
- Front and Centered Front and Centered
- Molina Healthcare Molina Healthcare
- WAISN WA Immigrant Solidarity Network -Red de Solidaridad de Inmigrantes en WA
- Steven & Sons Steven & Sons, Inc. - FIFE, WA
- Travis Brown
- City of Tuwkila City of Tukwila - Government

Thank you for being a part of MANAFest™ and for elevating the cultural richness of our community.

It’s BINGO night!
Over $4500 in prizes 💰

Come on down to Trinity Community Gym at 7pm to try your luck and support the work of UTOPIA Washington 💕

Deadline to register for our QTPI camp is TOMORROW, JULY 19th at 5pm.

Make your way over to www.utopiawa.org/manafest/qtpi-camp to get registered!

We look forward to ending our MANAFest™ week with you all at our annual QTPI Camp!

Being informed helps us to take care of ourselves. As a Samoan, it is my duty to teach the world about the richness of my culture. As a Fa’afafine, I have a responsibility to myself and those around me to build a stronger and healthier community by learning all the ways we can care for each other.

Some make-up products contain harmful chemicals, and it is essential to be informed about what we put on and in our bodies. I encourage everyone to take a moment to check if their make-up contains toxic ingredients by visiting the King County Hazardous Waste Management Program website at
https://www.kingcountyhazwastewa.gov/en/news-articles/safer-cosmetics

Soifua,

Miss Island Goddess 2024
Tepa Vaina

BINGO BINGO BINGO!

July 19th, 7pm at Trinity Community Gym!

Buy in is $30 and we have some awesome prizes!

💰Buy in comes with:
-2 Free 6 On
-3 Free Early Birds
-2 Free Floor Specials

Additional Packs $5

💸 Payouts:
-6 Early Birds - $125
-4 Floor Specials - $300
-10 Regular Games - $200
-Jackpot - $1,000

Get your tickets by contacting:
[email protected]
206-219-0214

Thank you for your continued support of UTOPIA Washington. Good Luck!

Hey there!

If you haven't joined our Real Talk peer support group yet, we warmly welcome you! This space was created by and for the community, and we invite you to join us! It’s a place to share resources, tell our stories, empower each other, lean on one another, and have fun together.

Join us tomorrow, July 9th, at 6 PM. We’re operating virtually, so you can join from anywhere in the world. Register at bit.ly/UTOPIAPeerSupport

Hello friends and family!

Our office and Mapu Maia Clinic will be closed on July 4, 2024 and will reopen on July 5, 2024 at 10am.

For any urgent matters, please contact [email protected]

Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) will be hosting the National Asian American and Pacific Islander Leadership Summit & Presidential Town Hall in Philadelphia from July 11-13.

July 11-12, 2024
The National AA & PI Leadership Summit will host AA & PI community leaders and organizers from around the country. This is a two day event to equip attendees with the knowledge and connections to mobilize Asian American and Pacific Islander communities nationwide for the 2024 elections.

July 13, 2024
Following the Summit APIAVote will host its fifth Presidential Town Hall, a crucial national forum for inviting presidential candidates to engage directly with the AA & PI community. This will be streamed online for those who cannot attend in-person.

Register for either events at:
www.apia.vote/SummitTownHallReg2024

CUTIE PIES/QTPIs!

We are already over 70% capacity for our annual QTPI Camp!!

So if you want to attend, be sure to register before we are at full capacity! This is a FREE event and transportation, food, and accomodations will be provided.

If you have not attended our camp before, hereʻs what you can expect:
-First and foremost, lots of FUN
-Cultural workshops, protocols, games, art
-Fellowship with other QTPIs from across Oceania
-Delicious food
-Lotʻs of "ha ha" games and fun

Register at www.utopiawa.org/manafest/qtpi-camp

Can you believe that we are half way through the year already!?

While Pride month has come to an end, our celebration of Q***r and Trans identities is far from over! We are excited to announce that MANAFest™ is just around the corner, happening in a few short weeks!

Catch up on all things UTOPIA with this monthʻs Newsletter!
https://conta.cc/3L99NRf

Photo by Mel Ponder Photography

Come and celebrate UTOPIA Washingtonʻs 15th Anniversary at MANA OLA!

MANA OLA is defined as the divine power that dwells in the spirit of every living creature. MANA OLA is a cultural celebration of our collective power as tagata moana, tangata whenua, kanaka maoli or people of the land. Every year we look to take you on a journey throughout the pacific to experience the living MANA or MANA OLA of our people, land and culture. This year we invite you to experience the MANA Ola of the islands of Samoa. Afio mai ma tala mai a'ao on Saturday, August 3rd, at Muckleshoot Casino Resort in honor of UTOPIA WA’s 15th anniversary to celebrate MANA OLA!

Get your tickets at bit.ly/MANAOLA2024

What better way to dive into oneʻs culture than with food!?

At Taste of MANA, you have the opportunity to explore diverse food from various indigenous cultures ranging from fresh produce to hot food. Come and experience the cultural richness of our community.

Attendees will receive a food voucher good to use on any of our vendors.

This is a FREE event with a limited capacity so be sure to RSVP:

bit.ly/MANAFest2024

MĀFINE is a celebration of art and fashion that highlights different Q***r and Trans Pasifika artists from across the world.

Join us on Monday, July 29th at Green River College for this FREE event.

“O le faiva o alofi lima” is phrase that speaks to the detailed work that is brought to life and “MANAFested” by the intricate movements of our hands. MĀFINE stands for MANA Arts & Fashion Indigenous Narratives Exhibit. It is a celebration of artistic expression and creative versatility. This exhibit highlights the inspiration and artistic finesse that is found in the meticulous work of our hands but also the ancient art of story telling. MĀFINE seeks to honor all Pasifika artists but especially centering our fa'afafine and QTPI community members and their artistic expression. MĀFINE will feature visual art, interactive art, poetry, and fashion. MĀFINE looks to unravel the history and cultural narratives of Tagata Moana through the artistic lens of our Pasifika, Fa'afafine and QTPI community.

Register for this FREE event at bit.ly/MANAFest2024

Join us for MANA Mai Lagi on Sunday, July 28th at Green River College.

MANA Mai Lagi acknowledges the sacred power gifted to us from the heavens. We honor this power by adopting a Samoan proverbial phrase: “Momoli la’au i foga’a” that simply means to give praise and gratitude to the source of all living things. We invite you to join us for a night of spiritual empowerment and divine healing through the art of music. Celebrating the musical gifts and talents that rests within our Fa'afafine community. Together, let us set the tone for an unforgettable week and embrace the spirit of MANAFest™ by way of MANA Mai Lagi.

We are also joined by our special guest, Ft. Lewis CCCAS Youth!

Register for this FREE event at bit.ly/MANAFest2024

TONIGHT! 🎉

💰 OVER $15,000 IN PRIZES!!! 🤑

SPECIAL BUY-IN PACKAGE - ONLY $30!

BINGO and MANA RAFFLE!
Two-in-One Special Event Fundraiser for UTOPIA Washington on Friday, June 28th at 7pm at Trinity Community Gym!

____

SPECIAL BINGO PRICE! $30 Buy-in Package!

BINGO Buy-In Package contains:
Two 6-On Main Game Packs
Three 4-On Early Birds (Games, 4, 5, and 6)
Two 3-On Floor Specials (Games 2 and 3)
Additional 6-On Main Game Packs are $5

BINGO Game Payouts:
6 Early Birds pay out $125 each
4 Floor Specials pay out $300 each
10 Main Games pay out $200
Jackpot is at $1,300 for 59 calls or less, consolation is at $500

Get your bingo tickets by contacting:
[email protected]
206-219-0214

_____

MANA RAFFLE will take place at Trinity Community Church Gym following the UTOPIA Bingo.
Tickets are $25 per card for 10 chances to win $1,000.00
Tickets will be sold at the door for both bingo and live raffle announcement!

Get your MANA raffle tickets by contacting:
Ara Yandall or Del Tunupopo at 206-319-5998

Tonight!

Our beautiful and brilliant SPEaC Change Program Coordinator, Amasai Jeke will be joining Sightline Institute in a discussion on strategies of resilience crucial to navigating today's challenges.

Preceding the discussion will be a screening of Fire & Flood: Q***r Resilience in the era of Climate Change! The film tells the story of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the fires in Santa Rosa, California, two-near simultaneous climate-related disasters in the fall of 2017, through the voices of LGBTQ people who lived through them and were part of the community response. The film explores the vulnerability of LGBTQ communities to climate disasters and also lifts up q***r and trans strategies for resilience, transition, and survival.

6PM
101 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98191

Hope to catch you there!

Please join us in Seattle on June 26 (6pm) for an exclusive film screening of Fire & Flood: Q***r Resilience in the era of Climate Change!

Stick around after the film for an enriching discussion about strategies of resilience crucial for navigating today’s challenges. Special guest Amasai Jeke from United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance - WA will join Sightline’s Kate Anderson for a wide-ranging conversation on sustainable solutions, intersectionality in environmental spaces, and more. Space is limited, so RSVP today to secure your spot! https://www.sightline.org/filmscreening/

We are incredibly proud to announce that once again, our Executive Director, Taffy Maene-Johnson, is being recognized! This time by The Seattle Times for her lasting impact on the region!

As the founder and Executive Director of UTOPIA Washington, Taffy Maene-Johnson has been an advocate for a community that has often been pushed to the margins. Her unwavering dedication to creating a safe and supportive space has transformed countless lives. Building this community from the ground up has been a journey spanning years, even decades, and we are so proud to see her efforts being recognized on such large platforms.

Taffy always says, "I don't do this for the recognition or accolades." But today, we joyfully give her all the roses she deserves, celebrating the impact she has had on so many Q***r and Trans Pacific Islanders. Thank you, Taffy, for paving the way and inspiring future generations with your incredible work and dedication!

Join us in congratulating Taffy on another well deserved recognition!

Read the full article at:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-pride-at-50-lgbtq-people-who-shaped-washington/

MANAFest™ is more than a cultural celebration. It's connecting us to our ancestors, rooting us in our culture, and preserving of the traditions that are true to our identity.

This year we celebrate, SAMOA! 🇼🇸🇦🇸

A week long festival of arts, food, fashion, culture, and so much more!

We invite you to any of our events throughout the week and celebrate with us.

Visit www.utopiawa.org/manafest for tickets and to learn more.

💰 OVER $15,000 IN PRIZES!!! 🤑

SPECIAL BUY-IN PACKAGE - ONLY $30!

BINGO and MANA RAFFLE!
Two-in-One Special Event Fundraiser for UTOPIA Washington on Friday, June 28th at 7pm at Trinity Community Gym!

____

SPECIAL BINGO PRICE! $30 Buy-in Package!

BINGO Buy-In Package contains:
Two 6-On Main Game Packs
Three 4-On Early Birds (Games, 4, 5, and 6)
Two 3-On Floor Specials (Games 2 and 3)
Additional 6-On Main Game Packs are $5

BINGO Game Payouts:
6 Early Birds pay out $125 each
4 Floor Specials pay out $300 each
10 Main Games pay out $200
Jackpot is at $1,300 for 59 calls or less, consolation is at $500

Get your bingo tickets by contacting:
[email protected]
206-219-0214

_____

MANA RAFFLE will take place at Trinity Community Church Gym following the UTOPIA Bingo.
Tickets are $25 per card for 10 chances to win $1,000.00
Tickets will be sold at the door for both bingo and live raffle announcement!

Get your MANA raffle tickets by contacting:
Ara Yandall or Del Tunupopo at 206-319-5998

📣 Shout out to our fearless leader and Executive Director, Taffy Maene-Johnson for being named one of All Stars who have shaped our future!

Please join us in congratulating Taffy on a much deserved recognition!

“I aim to establish robust support systems that provide continuous resources, education, and advocacy for future generations of MVPFAFF+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. These sustainable support systems will ensure that our community remains strong and that every person has access to the help they need to thrive.”
-Taffy

The article features 14 other amazing LGBTQIA+ leaders across Washington.

Read the full article at www.sgn.org

HAPPY PRIDE! 🏳️‍⚧️

We want to send a big FAʻAFETAI TELE LAVA to Rain City Fit for their continued support of Q***r and Trans communities across Washington!

For their annual Pride Deadlift Party, they will be raising funds for some awesome organizations:
-Lavender Rights Project
-GenPride
-Cheer Seattle
-Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network
-Palestine Red Crescent society الهلال الاحمر الفلسطيني
-United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance - WA

If you are in the area Seattle area tomorrow, Saturday June 22, stop by Rain City Fit (next to Q***r Bar) for a fun day! Weʻll be out there all day as well as doing a short performance.

Thank you so much to Leanna and Ben from Rain City Fit for everything you do for the Q***r and Trans community!

Friendly reminder, we are currently collecting items for our Warm Winter Drive to distribute to our houseless folks on our weekly outreach. Any items that can help keep people warm that is also portable is greatly appreciated. We also have an online registry where items can be purchased and shipped directly to us.

Thank you all for your continued support!

Registry: tinyurl.com/UTOPIA-Winter-Drive