No. 636 Vaueli Johnson, 2008

File — Box: 68, Folder: 9

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Vaueli Johnson grew up in American Samoa until she was four. Her family then moved to Laie, Hawaii. After she graduated from high school Vaueli moved to Utah to attend BYU. Vaueli talks about the various jobs she's had. She mostly worked for her father's business, a variety store called Country Baby. She wasn't taught to speak Samoan when she was young but she can understand it and speak it fairly well. Her father now regrets not teaching them the language because it's part of their culture. She talks about charity and generosity as aspects of Samoan culture she's learned from her father. She also talks about the importance of education in her life. Vaueli feels that she is treated differently as a Samoan in Utah. Most people mistake her for being Hispanic and she doesn't feel welcome because of that. She talks about the differences between her experience of Samoan culture growing up, and her husband's experience growing up Samoan. Vaueli discusses being raised Mormon, and how her parents were converted. She talks about the differences between Samoan LDS churches and white churches.
Pacific Worlds Project.
Interviewer: Savani Aupiu

Dates

2008

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.