Navigating the cost of silence using the Tivaevae model with Cook Island youth
This practice-based research project looked at designing a culturally responsive and engaging resource for Cook Island adolescents. Eurocentric frameworks are currently dominating health services and research concerning the development of Pacific peoples, where there is a lack of understanding of the cultural sensitivities of topics such as sex.
The final design outcome suggests the incorporation of Tivaevae and Cook Island communication design has the potential to create a safe space for these difficult conversations among Cook Island youth.
Creative and culturally driven methods were integral to the research around facilitating safe conversations that understand Pasifika and its values. Embedded with Tivaevae, the game is an engaging way to safely talk about situations relating to sexual health and wellbeing and provides a visual representation of the conversations.
