Upuia Candie Saena - Samoan Language and Cultural Liaison
Fairview Elementary School
742-4700
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Although born in American Samoa, Upuia Candie Saena spent her early school years in Illinois where she was the only non-white student. Concerned that she have the opportunity for a good education, Candie had been sent by her parents to live with an aunt and uncle at a very young age. When she returned to the islands as a teenager, Candie had regretfully lost all of her native language and understanding of the Samoan culture. For the next several years, she immersed herself with the help of her father in relearning what she had forgotten and blended it with her experience and understanding of the "American" culture.

Candie, along with her husband and three children, moved to Anchorage in 1991 and shortly thereafter became a bilingual educator for the Anchorage School District. She worked in both elementary and secondary schools until she accepted the LCL position for the AKPIRC program. Her respect for the Samoan culture, along with strong communication and mentoring skills, have allowed Candie to become a highly respected leader both within the Samoan community and the schools. When asked why she feels this program is important, Candie stated, “My dream for Samoan children and their families is for them to always uphold and honor our Samoan language and culture while being immersed into the American way of life. I also want to see every Samoan parent learn the American educational system and learn ways where they can navigate through this system...from elementary, middle school, high school and even at the college and university level in order to help their own children.”