We are deeply saddened at the passing of beloved orator and songwoman Sēini ‘Sistanative’ Taumoepeau (1975–May 2024) at 48, known to many across Indigenous Australia and Oceania because of her dedication to extending the stories and narratives of Indigenous Oceania, Sēini began her career at just 13 years of age, working alongside her mother on ABC radio.
Sēini was born on Gadigal lands on the Eora Nation and spent her early childhood living with her grandparents and extended family in the Kingdom of Tonga, moving back to Gadigal lands at the age of eight. Feeling a close connection to place and community both in her ancestral homelands and those of her birth, after finishing her University studies Sēini travelled regularly to Ti Tree in the Northern Territory to teach in local schools and carried the skin name Napangardi.
She was one of the co-founders of the Pacific Wave Festival, a recurring event during the early 2000’s that provided one of the first platforms for members of the Pacific diaspora to share their contemporary culture. For many budding artists, it was this Festival and the opportunities that it provided to see themselves represented that sparked the ambition to follow this path.
Sēini first established a connection to QAGOMA in 2006 when the then Curator of Pacific Art, Maud Page invited her to present her ‘soulful lyrics’ independently and as part of Bounty 75 (with Airi Ingram (Drum Drum) and Si Fixion (The Bird)) for the opening weekend celebrations of the Gallery of Modern Art. In the program for this event Sistanative is described as a Tongan Diva — and she certainly could move a crowd. Though probably less well known Sēini was an equally passionate life-long learner, continuing to grow her expertise and practice across disciplines as diverse as contemporary music, media, arts, education and the metaphysical sciences. This diversity something Sēini insisted was who she is as an Indigenous woman.
I first met Sēini in 2014 when she was the master of ceremonies for the performances staged as part of the Contemporary Pacific Arts Festival at Footscray Arts Centre in Melbourne. Apparent from the moment that she first walked on the stage, Sēini was there to elevate and make space for the amazing community of creative talent that surrounded her from her sister Latai and lifelong friend Lisa Fala’afi to the members of West Papuan band Rise of the Morning Sun.
Sēini’s acted from a place of deep commitment to the struggles of Indigenous peoples worldwide and was as politically active in fighting for the recognition of the First peoples of Australia, West Papua, New Caledonia and, for many years, Palestine, as she has been for the rights of the peoples of Oceania in the face of climate change and ongoing imperialism.
In her role as presenter for the ABC’s Pacific Beat, Sēini travelled to Brisbane for the opening of ‘The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’ (APT9) in 2018 providing one of only media platforms for Pacific artists to reach beyond the walls of the Gallery to engage a broader cross section of the Australian community. Sēini’s commitment to this community is perhaps best exemplified through Reading Oceania, a practice she streamed from her Marrickville loungeroom to provide spaces for her community of creative Oceanians to ingest knowledge, bearing witness to and confronting what she termed our collective indigenous vanishing.
Such was the importance of this practice and the community that it nurtured that it was curated into the NIRIN: 22nd Biennale of Sydney by Brook Andrew. In Venice a month ago, Sēini captured the hearts of hundreds singing LOTU: Kumi Hina (Pray/ER seeking Hina) as she led a procession through the lofty spaces of OceanSpace in Chiesa di San Lorenzo for the Vernissage opening of Re-stor(y)ing Oceania. It felt at once nurturing and challenging to mark time with Sistanative as she warmed the air and cold marble of this ancient church further with laughter, respect, careful thought and sharing as she guided us through — NATIVE GAZE — and what would be her last Reading Oceania.
At the time of her passing, Sēini was preparing to travel to Hawaii for the Festival of Pacific Arts and had been commissioned to bring back interviews and stories from her time with artists there for a number of media platforms.
We are proud to have had her insights, support and energy fill the spaces of these Galleries and, like many in her beloved community will miss her energy, integrity, honesty and generosity of spirit dearly.
Our deepest condolences to Sēini’s extended family and close friends.
Rest peacefully Sistanative.
Ruth McDougall is Curator, Pacific Art, QAGOMA
