Coping 101: Dancing with Deafness

How do you identify? Identity can be informed by many factors, including cultural background, abilities, religion, gender, geography and more. Growing up with deafness in a strict religious family on the island of Samoa, Loki Tiatia experienced many layered challenges that have informed his identity and influence his work today as an ASL instructor and Deaf Advocate. As a husband to a deaf spouse and father to a deaf child, and as Highline School District's only ASL instructor, Loki shares some of the unique struggles facing the DHH community and practical ways those who are hearing can be more tolerant and inclusive to this often marginalized group. Loki also discusses his lifelong practice of traditional Samoan dance to communicate and connect with the world around him - including audiences Deaf and hearing alike. Presented by C89.5 in partnership with Seattle Children's, Coping 101 is an ongoing series led by students in Nathan Hale High School's Podcast Club that destigmatizes mental health from a teen's perspective, made possible with local support from Hansmire Builders and Compass Health - NW Washington's Behavioral Healthcare leader. No matter our age or background we all face challenges, and there are healthy ways to cope. Get started with more episodes, and find community-centric resources online at c895.org/coping101 brief bio: Loki has been dancing since he was a boy in a small village of Afega, Samoa-Pacific Island. He has taught movements for kids at Kendall Elementary, DC. He choreographed dance for Gallaudet Dance Company at Gallaudet University. His teaching features a mixture of island styles, signing songs of many genre, beginning/intermediate hip hop, jazz, and lyrical incorporating movements and sign language. Deaf Spotlight: https://www.deafspotlight.org/ WA School for the Deaf: https://www.wsd.wa.gov/ ASL Cart: https://www.aslcart.com/