It has been a month of travel, celebration, and recognition for Isi and Tessa Masi of Steinbach and their two daughters. The family recently returned from a series of meaningful experiences that took them from performing traditional Fijian dance in New York to celebrating Fiji Day in Vancouver, where Isi was honoured as one of six influential Fijians in Canada. Representing Fiji in New York Each year, Island Breeze Manitoba, the cultural and performance group led by Isi, is invited to perform at Fiji Independence Day celebrations. This October, the Masis brought their daughters to perform in New York City during the same week as the United Nations General Assembly. “Well, it started in New York,” Isi said. “Usually every year, Island Breeze gets hired as a band for Fiji Independence Day celebrations, and this year, we started that in New York.” Because other Island Breeze members didn’t have U.S. travel visas, the family performed as a group. “When the call came out and said, we would love to have some performers to do Fijian dance specifically out in New York, we looked around and said, okay, well, we have two daughters and a niece. And I came along and we were that group,” Tessa said. The family’s performance took place at an event attended by Fiji’s Prime Minister and his wife. “That was an incredible experience just to be around what that entourage looks like when they come into a building,” Tessa shared. “He was there with his lovely wife. There was a lot of protocol that happened at the event. But also, you know, with some tradition around Fijian dance is that sometimes people get to dance alongside you. The Prime Minister’s wife was dancing next to us, which made it a really fun event for us.” For Isi, the invitation to MC the celebration added another layer of excitement. “One hour before the event, I got a text saying, would you be able to MC the event for the night? And I was like, okay,” he said. “So I was trying to tie the evening together while they were celebrating anniversaries, the Prime Minister and his wife, and birthdays. It was a big celebration.” Honoured for leadership and community Just days after the New York performance, it was off to Vancouver to take part in Fiji Day celebrations in Canada. “There was an award for leadership in our Fijian community,” he said. “I was one of six people from across Canada who received it. It’s the first time they’ve done this, so I feel super blessed to be part of that very first group.” Tessa says the honour reflects who her husband is every day in Manitoba. “The award really was about supporting other Fijians in your community,” she said. “In Manitoba, Isi is that guy. If a Fijian moves into Manitoba, he knows about it, makes the effort, and intentionally builds that community. It’s lovely to see that recognized as something that just comes naturally to him.” Isi credits his parents for teaching him the values that guide his work today. “They took in everybody,” he said. “We grew up with a very full household. Even when we had nothing, we still shared whatever we could. That was my model for doing what I’m doing now, you give and you don’t expect anything back.” Sharing culture and building community Through Island Breeze Manitoba, the Masis continue to share Pacific Island music, dance, and culture while helping newcomers find belonging. While the past few weeks have been full of travel and celebration, the family says their focus remains close to home, using music, dance, and service to bring people together. “It’s always been about walking through whatever door opens,” Isi said. “Whether it’s a crowd of four or 400, we just want to use our gifts to spread joy.” -With files from Carly Koop