By Lorna-lei Sua’ava
University of Arizona Global Campus
The Rural Youth Voices Initiative seeks to empower rural youth to better serve their communities, reshape dominant narratives about rural engagement, and encourage rural-serving organizations to center youth voices. Twelve Fellows from across the United States received $500 and support from Campus Compact to support a narrative change or civic engagement project in their community.
My name is Lorna-lei, and I’m a graduate student in Psychology & Indigenous Studies with a deep passion for community organizing, cultural representation, and mental wellness. I currently serve as the Founder of Pasifika Pathways, where I support Pacific Islander students, athletes and their families build pathways of success in sports, education and careers. Much of my work focuses on bridging cultural identity with storytelling and healing as well—creating space for Pacific Islander youth to see themselves reflected and valued.
Pasifika Voices in the North is a digital storytelling initiative uplifting Pacific Islander youth voices from rural Alaska, centering cultural identity, lived experiences, and connection to land and community. We are deeply grateful to Campus Compact for the opportunity to learn, grow, and collaborate with this inspiring cohort. This initiative is about representation, belonging, and celebrating the voices of our youth.
The inspiration for Pasifika Voices in the North came from witnessing the strength and resilience of our Pasifika and Indigenous youth in Alaska—many of whom are navigating identity, belonging, and visibility in spaces where representation is limited.
Growing up connected to my Samoan roots, I know how powerful storytelling can be in reclaiming our narratives and preserving our culture. This project was born from that same belief: that our stories are medicine and our youth deserve to be heard.
For readers unfamiliar with this area, this project highlights how digital storytelling can become a bridge between culture, community, and self-expression. Representation is not just visibility—it’s belonging, healing, and empowerment.
In rural Alaska, Pacific Islander and Indigenous students often face isolation and cultural disconnection. Pasifika Voices in the North creates a platform for these youth to share who they are, where they come from, and what connects them to the land and their people.
This initiative goes beyond storytelling—it’s about identity, inclusion, and the power of youth voice. Faculty, students, and staff have an opportunity to support a movement that amplifies underrepresented communities and fosters genuine cross-cultural connection. Through this project, we strengthen the collective work toward equity, belonging, and representation in higher education and beyond.
A Call to Action
We invite others to listen, learn, and uplift these stories. For students, faculty, and staff, this is an opportunity to reflect on the question: Whose stories are being told, and whose are missing?
For students at Campus Compact institutions, there will also be opportunities to collaborate, volunteer at storytelling workshops, and explore ways to use digital media for community impact.
Interviews with student storytellers are already underway, and we are in the process of editing and recording additional stories. At the same time, we continue to spread the word and connect with Pasifika and Indigenous students and community members interested in sharing their experiences.
If you or someone you know would like to share a story, attend a workshop, or learn more, please reach out via email or find us on Facebook or Instagram.
Together, we can continue to amplify Pasifika voices, nurture cultural pride, and build a sense of belonging for our youth in the North.