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Faka'osilea, Lorris

Faka'osilea was born Lorris Bristow and given by her parents to her mother's childless sister and her husband to raise. She was brought up at Ngaruawahia, center of the Maori King Movement, but as a very light-skinned child she was subjected to racial abuse by both white and Maori children.

She learned Maori after marrying her first husband, most of whose family were monoglot Maori, and Tongan, from her second husband, then a monoglot Tongan. They emigrated to Australia about 1984, where she has become president of the Queensland Maori Council and a Maori language broadcaster.

References

"Carving Out a Place," Mana, no. 39 (April-May 2001), p. 76-78

Indexes

Polynesian, Melanesian
Australia
20th Century
21st Century
Social Services and Social Sciences
Theater, Broadcasting, Cinema
Ethnic or Religious Identity Confused or Concealed, Racism
Birth or Infancy
Birth Parent(s) Relinquished Child
Uncles and Aunts, Parents' Uncles and Aunts
Customary or Traditional Adoption, Informal and Extra-Legal Care
Parents Married (or Partnered) to Each Other
Birth Sibling(s) Remained With or Returned to Birth Family

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