1st Place Youth: My Name

by Vepaiamele Grace Trief

“Ve-, Vem-, sorry if I pronounce this incorrectly”.

I sigh heavily. Another dreaded roll call with a new teacher. I raise my hand wearily. 

“It’s Vepaiamele. My name’s Vepaiamele.”

Brushes of relief paint her face into relaxation. 

“Okay. Can I call you… Vee?”

‘UM, NO!?’ 

But I don’t say that. I agree. Like I always do. Conforming to their convenience. 

Yes, names hold meaning, but do I really want to undergo the struggle of making them say mine correctly? When they so obviously want to prioritise their comfort, not my culture?

Years ago, I asked myself that. Now, my answer to that question is yes.

So now, when someone asks me for my name, I tell them. I sit there and I help them pronounce it until they get it right. A tribute to my roots. A symbol of my culture. “Vepaiamele”. That is my name. 

Vepaiamele Grace Trief: I am a proud ni-Vanuatu. I'm from three different islands, four different villages (Wunpuko, North-West Santo; Narango, South Santo; Lotahimamavi, North-East Ambae; Lawa, Malekula).