Naomi Faik-Simet
Naomi Faik-Simet (b. 1977[1]) is a Papua New Guinean dance researcher at the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies.[2][3] She is the first PhD from Papua New Guinea to graduate from a dance studies program.[2] She is the only dance researcher in Papau New Guinea,[4] and the first dance researcher ever employed by her country's government.[5]
Faik-Simet works to preserve and create cultural traditions. Papua New Guinea is working to be modern, but Faik-Simet wants people to remember their culture and not just adopt other cultural traditions.[6] She teaches about traditional and contemporary dance and music.[7] She shows people that traditional and new arts can go together.[7]
She represents Papua New Guinea for UNESCO's Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre, the International Council for Traditional Music, World Dance Alliance, and World Alliance for Arts Education.[8][5]
Early life
[change | change source]Faik-Simet was born in Papua New Guinea.[2] She grew up during the period after Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia.[2]
Career
[change | change source]Education
[change | change source]In 2001, Faik-Simet started working for the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies.[5] In 2003 she returned to University of Papua New Guinea to complete her undergraduate college degree.[5] She completed her degree in 2005.[5]
Soon, Faik-Simet realized she needed more education.[5] First, she connected with experts who lived in New Zealand, Nicholas Rowe and Ralph Buck.[5] In 2010 she got a scholarship from the University of Auckland to study a traditional dance called "gunge takwaku."[5]
Between April 28, 2017 and December 29, 2020, Faik-Simet attended the University of Auckland.[5] She studied the impact of colonialism on dance education in Papua New Guinea.[2] She also studied how to use dance to pass down culture and knowledge.[2] She graduated with a PhD in dance studies in November 2021.[2][5]
Today
[change | change source]Faik-Simet is now the assistant director at the Institute of Papua New Guinea.[2] She helps to organize conferences, like the 8th Symposium of the ICTM Study Group on Music and Dance of Oceania.[7]
She received the Mineral Resource Development Co (MRDC) award in 2011 for making an impact in decolonising dance in Papua New Guinea. The award is a Westpac Public Sector award.[4] It is part of the Westpac Outstanding Women Award.[4]
Personal life
[change | change source]Faik-Simet and her husband have two children.[2]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Faik-Simet, Naomi (2021). "Exploring Buai as a Pedagogical Knowledge System for Teaching and Learning Creativity Amongst the Tolai of Papua New Guinea" (PDF). University of Aukland.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Decolonising dance education in Papua New Guinea - The University of Auckland". www.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- ↑ Nicholas Rowe, Rose Martin, Ralph Buck & Eeva Anttila (2018) Researching dance education post-2016: the global implications of Brexit and Trump on dance education, Research in Dance Education, 19:1, 91-109, DOI: 10.1080/14647893.2017.1354839
- 1 2 3 "Westpac names winners of WIB awards – The National". www.thenational.com.pg. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Long road to Auckland – The National". www.thenational.com.pg. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ↑ Rowe, Nicholas; Buck, Ralph (2017). Buck, Ralph; Rowe, Nicholas (eds.). Moving Oceans. India: Routledge India. doi:10.4324/9781315661964. ISBN 978-1-315-66196-4.
- 1 2 3 Yelemanova, Saida (October 2015). "43rd ICTM World Conference: Local Arrangements Committee Report" (PDF). Bulletin of the International Council for Traditional Music. 129: 18–19.
- ↑ "World Network | International Council for Traditional Music". ictmusic.org. Retrieved 2023-02-10.