Teresia Teaiwa, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Teresia Teaiwa

Kiribati poet

Date of Birth: 12-Aug-1968

Place of Birth: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Date of Death: 21-Mar-2017

Profession: writer, poet, political scientist, school teacher

Nationality: United States, Kiribati

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Teresia Teaiwa (12 August 1968 – 21 March 2017), or Teresia Kieuea Teaiwa was an I-Kiribati (Banaba, Tabiteuea and Rabi) and African-American scholar, poet, activist and mentor.
Teaiwa is internationally known for her ground-breaking work in Pacific Studies.
Her research interests in this area embraced her artistic and political nature, and included: contemporary issues in Fiji, feminism and women's activism in the Pacific, contemporary Pacific culture and arts, and pedagogy in Pacific Studies.
An "anti-nuclear activist, defender of West Papuan independence, and a critic of militarism", Teaiwa solidified many connections across the Pacific Ocean and was a hugely influential voice on Pacific affairs She received prestigious academic fellowships and multiple teaching awards.
Her poetry is widely published and appreciated.Building on the work of her late mentor, Epeli Hau'ofa, her memorable words: "We sweat and cry salt water, so we know that the ocean is really in our blood" has empowered Pacific scholars everywhere to be proud of their heritage and culture.
The Guardian in April 2009 declared her to be one of Kiribati's "national icons".
The University of Oregon described her as "a groundbreaking scholar in the research of the culture of the Pacific Islands".