What do palm trees have to do with inspiring kids to live healthy lifestyles and learn about different cultures?

If you ask Lucy Hansen, Founder and CEO of Polynesian Association of Alaska, she will tell you that the answer is ‘plenty.’

Hansen was born and raised in American Samoa in the South Pacific and has been a leader of the Pacific Island community in Alaska since 2005. As a partner of the DEAEF, Hansen is tasked with leading after-school dance and art classes at Northwood Elementary in Anchorage, Alaska. Hansen has worked with DEAEF for several years and specializes in teaching kids about seven Pacific Island cultures, including Samoan, Tongan, Hawaiian, Tokelauan, Tahitian, Fijian, and Micronesian. She says that the most popular cultures in Alaska are Samoan and Tongan. Classes consist of teaching cultural dances, arts, crafts, language, and history. Hansen draws from cultural symbols to teach lessons and at times, she uses palm trees to illustrate her message.

Hansen uses coconut leaves to create art projects with the students. She also has the students taste the fresh coconut and tells the story of the legend of the coconut. She then teaches cultural dances from different Pacific Island cultures while wearing cultural apparel.

“Cultural education fosters inclusivity, promotes cross-cultural understanding, boosts self-confidence, and encourages creativity,” said Michele Morris, Regional Director for the DEAEF. “Lucy and her team bring first-hand experience as well as passion to this program, and the students love learning from her.”

Mesmerized by the beauty of the cultural apparel, students often inquire about their exquisite details. Lucy enjoys sharing the different plants that are used to create skirts and dresses, how each plant contributes different colorations, and how the apparel is constructed. These conversations quickly lead to discussions about different Pacific Island terminology, languages, and cultural dance movements. Students enjoy learning about the meaning behind cultural dances, including hand movements and turning in certain ways, and then getting to practice the movements themselves.

For Asian American/ Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, the DEAEF worked with Hansen to bring in Pacific Island dancers to Northwood Elementary to perform for the students. To kick off the show, Hansen discussed the importance of having a healthy lifestyle and AAPI Heritage month.

“When we performed for the students, they were so excited,” said Hansen. “I asked them to raise their hand if they wanted to learn the cultural dance they had just seen, and at least 40 students rushed the stage!”

Through these Pacific Island cultural art and dance lessons, Hansen serves as a role model to show the students how to move their bodies and use their minds to stay strong and healthy and make good decisions in life.

“Keeping the kids busy is helpful in keeping them active and safe,” said Hansen.

Hansen will return to Northwood Elementary in Fall of 2023 to teach Pacific Island cultural art and dance in a 10-week program through the DEAEF.

In a world where diversity and cultural understanding are more important than ever, Lucy Hansen's innovative approach of combining Pacific Island art and dance with promoting healthy lifestyles has sparked a newfound passion among students. Through the vibrant backdrop of palm trees and the rich heritage of seven Pacific Island cultures, children at Northwood Elementary in Anchorage, Alaska are not only learning about different cultural traditions but also embracing the value of staying active and making positive life choices.