Bad Fiji Gyals Collective logo. Text reads: Bad Fiji Gyals. Sugarcane graphic is on both sides of text.

Viti
We want to acknowledge KaiViti/Indigenous and iTaukei communities across Viti (Fiji) and pay our respects to their elders of the past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their continuing connection to the Vanua, ocean and community.

Aotearoa
I want to acknowledge the Mana Whenua of Tamāki Makaurau, Ngāti Pāoa; Ngāi Tai; Ngāti Whātua; Te Wai-o-Hua/Ngā Oho; Ngāti Te Ata; and Te Kawerau-a-Maki, whose stolen land I live and work from. As tauiwi (non-Māori) Indo-Fijian woman I recognise that I benefit from living on this stolen land in the settler state of New Zealand. As tauiwi I also seek to honour and commit to upholding Māori sovereignty in Aotearoa through our partnership in He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.


U.S.
I aim to break down all kinds of supremacy within the communities that I come from and that also means accepting how I benefit from living on stolen land in North America. I pay my respects to the Jalquin, Lisjan, Chochenyo and Karkin peoples (Ohlone communities across the East Bay, California) while knowing that all Indigenous and Black communities continue to face genocide, displacement and police brutality across the U.S.

The Bad Fiji Gyals Collective

Indo-Fijian Women in Sports: Colonial and Racial Stereotypes with Rohini Balram

Mustard yellow background. In the middle is an image collage of Rohini. Two full body images of Rohini running with two barbell weights on each side of collage. Graphics of mini weights and plants are surrounding Rohini. Upper left corner text reads: Rohini Balram.

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About Rohini

My name is Rohini Balram and I am a PhD candidate at Western Sydney University. I have taught English to ESL learners in Fiji and Australia for over a decade. I am passionate about running, bodybuilding and racquet sports which motivated me to complete a gym instruction course and assist marginalised women with exercise and fitness. This also sparked my research on the role of sports in cultural and ethnic minority groups of women. I aspire to give Indo-Fijian women and their sporting experiences in Fiji a voice. Amidst my academic pursuit, I find solace via creative writing; my short stories, poems and auto-ethnographies centre on the following themes: identity, love, gender, marginalised groups, indentured labourers, ethnicity, race, class, culture/traditions, diaspora and sports.

Also available on YouTube

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Vinaka vakalevu to the ongoing support of the Fiji Museum in accessing archival material and research.

Vinaka vakalevu to our family and friends who have contributed to our work and this collective. Without your support we would not be here today.

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© Bad Fiji Gyals 2020