A CHamoru born and raised on Guam, Sandra Flores’ work is inspired by the CHamoru cultural resurgence she has witnessed and the resulting explosion of indigenous expression across all art forms. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at Northwestern University. She spent many years owning her own businesses in art and in healthcare. When she moved to San Diego, California, in 2011, those business skills were valuable in helping her to establish and support organizations such as the Uno Hit cultural education program and the House of Chamorros from 2012 to 2020. Her reflections on this work were the subject of her weekly column in Guam’s Pacific Daily News from 2012-2016. She earned a master’s in Peace Studies at the University of San Diego in 2021. All of these experiences led her to the position of director of the Guam Arts Agency from 2021 to 2023. She continues her work independently, writing and working with the Guam arts community both on Guam and in the diasporic populations across the continental US. She sees art as a powerful tool for self-expression, outreach, and community building, giving voice and driving change for greater understanding and greater equity.

Sankofa Cultural Foundation of Alaska

Discipline: Interdisciplinary

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Discipline: Multidisciplinary

Sapioamoa Taiulagi Galea’i, known as Sapi, was born and raised in American Samoa with deep roots in the villages of Fitiuta, Sapapali’i, Pava’ia’i, and Nu’uuli. She is of Samoan, Hawaiian, and Japanese descent. Sapi is married and, together with her husband, lovingly raises their four daughters and son.

Galea’i holds dual degrees in nutrition science and psychology, as well as a master’s degree in education. For more than a decade, she served as program director for the American Samoa Department of Education’s School Lunch Program, crafting daily meals for more than 12,000 children across 35 schools. In 2024, she transitioned from institutional kitchens to her own, discovering that cooking was more than a task—it was a language of love, a canvas for creativity, and a powerful form of therapy. From her home kitchen, she founded and now owns Four Sisters Catering Company, Lumana’i Property Management, and is developing a foodservice training space set to open in 2026.

Galea’i found that letting go of the success she once pursued made space for a passion that truly fed her soul. She treasures time with family and friends. When not in the kitchen, she enjoys meals with her father and husband, drives her children to school, sports, and dance, and ensures she carves out “me time.” Galea’i joy comes from creating something beautiful and nourishing, sharing it with others, and making lasting memories.