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| | | First Nations' Futures Program | In Loving Memory of Our Friend & Colleague Thomas "Thom" James Massey 1947 - 2009 | Aloha,
A cherished FNFP family member and friend, Thomas "Thom" James Massey, passed away on New Year's Day. Thom embodied what it is this program strives towards, as he showcased with his lifelong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He made it his life's work to practice and promote the ethics that should come naturally, but often does not in society.
Thom had a rich and amazing life - as an athlete, student, professional football player, academic, administrator and mentor/role model to many young people. He held many posts at Stanford University, including: Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Cultural Educator, Graduate Life Residence Dean, Resident Fellow, Mediation and Communication Center Program Developer, Unit Supervisor for the six Campus Community Centers in the Dean of Students Office, and as of most recent, Associate Dean of Multicultural Education. As Professor Peter Vitousek (Stanford, Co-Director of FNFP) put it, "Thom literally devoted most of his professional life to making Stanford University a more diverse place - and therefore a much better place." Thom tirelessly promoted cultural awareness and tolerance, leadership training and community building. Our First Nations' Futures Program was blessed to have Thom contribute his knowledge, time, and a small part of himself to the program, during our annual Institutes at Stanford University.
Thom will be remembered by us, those who continue his legacy, and missed dearly.
|  | | He Poroporoaki - A Farewell "Koinei te mahi i homai ai e Hinenuitepo ki a tatou ki te tangata, he tangi i o tatou mate i te ao i te po. Ko aitua to tatou hoa haere e pohiri nei ana i a tatou ki Hawaiki nui. Nareira, e pai ana, tukuna a Thom kia haere i tona haere. Ko tatou noa te urupa o tenei toa. Arohanui Joe me Gillian" "This is the heavy burden that the Goddess of departed spirits has given to each one of us in our turn - to grieve for our dead by day and at night. Death is our constant shadow and it beckons us to the sacred homeland. It is well that Thom has made his journey, for we are his true earthly remains and his prodigious legacy will not be lost but will live on in us. With all our love, Joe and Gillian"
- Justice Joe Williams (High Court in Auckland) | "Thom was an integral part of the First Nations Futures Fellowship Program. His collaborative efforts in bridging FNFP with Stanford University was strategic in the growth of this program and its many successes. He had a deep compassion for those of us residing in Aotearoa and Hawai'i, and yet his reach went well beyond the pacific by creating awareness about the importance of indigenous people throughout the world. Being an African and Native American, he would often share his mana'o about the struggles and success of his people in relation to those of the pacific. We shared profound conversations, laughs, and tears with Thom during our FNFP Wiliwili Cohort while at Stanford and Aotearoa. Thom had a powerful and yet humble presence that enriched every single one of us in many ways. He will be dearly missed, and the positive impact he bestowed upon our cohort will never be forgotten. In Hawaiian, we have an 'olelo no'eau or Hawaiian proverb that we feel best describes Thom Massey that we would like to share on behalf of our cohort:"
He lā'au ku ho'okahi, he lehua no Ka'ala A lone tree, a lehua of Ka'ala An expression of admiration for an outstanding person, unequaled in wisdom, compassion, and skill.
- Hokuao Pellegrino (2007-08 Kamehameha Fellow)
| "I remember Thom's humbleness, and sense of humor, always willing to laugh at himself. I know his efforts and sacrifice greatly shaped programs to enhance diversity and make students of many backgrounds feel at home at Stanford. However, he never spoke of his own accomplishments, but instead took so much joy in the achievements and lives of others whom he supported quietly and with whole heart. He was dignified without pretense and truly kind. Our aloha go out to all those closest to him."
- Mehana Blaich Vaughan (2007-08 Stanford Fellow) |
"Thom embodied the kaupapa of the Fellowship and sought to ensure our indigenous peoples were made comfortable and 'at home' there at Stanford. The love for his job and the people around him was always present and our mihi and aroha go out to his loved ones at this time of grief and darkness. As the whakaukī (proverbs) say though, whilst we lament the dying fern frond, another will rise to take its place to allow the plant to flourish. Nō reira e te hākoro, mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki , moe mai rā."
- David O'Connell (2006-07 Ngāi Tahu Fellow), Patsy and whānau |  |
"We were richly blessed by Thom's mentoring in methods of mediation and his other contributions to our First Nations' Futures Program. We will forever bear the imprint of his wisdom and love. In situations such as this, our kupuna would say, 'Ku'u ka luhi, ua maha.' These ancestors understood that the time would inevitably come for a man to leave all his labors, all that wearied his mind and body, and find everlasting peace. We bid Thom a fond aloha and mahalo as his canoe comes to rest on heavenly shores.
Know that our journeys will continue and that ... i ka malu o kona la'i ... in the shelter of the peace Thom has now found, we will seek the strength and skills to press forward toward visions that Thom encouraged us to believe are in our reach. E pane'e ka wa'a oi ka 'ale."
- Neil Hannahs (Co-director, FNFP) | | "Kua hinga te totara o te wa nui o Tane! The mighty Totara tree in the great forest of Tane has fallen! Mostly I will remember and miss how much fun it was to spend time with Thom. He will continue to be a role model for us who knew him through his gentleness, humility, sense of humor and achievements. His imprint and legacy, however, will remain a part of this program and with us who continue his legacy forever. No reira, taku rangatira, haere i te ara hokinga kore ki muri. Moe mai ra i te taha o nga tupuna. Ka tangihia, ka poroporoakihia e tatau. Farewell my chief on your journey home to rest with your ancestors." - Mawae Morton (Co-Director, FNFP) |  |
Winona-AzATE (Winona is my name). yUdjEha zA'yada. gOb'a zA'yada (Yuchi and Creek are my tribes).
k'alanjaha. s@nlAKIyasOTa. Mvto. (All the things you said, Thank you for them).
gOh@nTOnA aga s@nlA wAyOwu^ (Creator has given us a good day). And, yet, the Special Joy that was with us has passed on to be with Creator. Thom, was not ours to keep for long, but will live forever in our Spirits, and for that, I am grateful.
Thank you for allowing me to share the burden of this great sorrow. It was an Honor and a Great Privilege to be Thom's friend and to walk with him in this life for a little while. He was Exquisite in the love he gave to his work and to his Relations. He was Visionary in his understanding of the dynamics of a complex and diverse society and world.
I equate him to "The light Horseman." These were the Honored Ones among Our People who were entrusted to stand guard over us. Thom listened and observed and waited. When it was time, he would step in and be there to help, to advise, to counsel. He Honored us with his Integrity and strength. He was a Gift.
Thom said it best when he helped me through another difficult time. "If you are 'in Life' you will experience loss, and you must feel it - cycle through it. When you do, you will return to find Love and Friendship once again." I pray for this return and I know the deep yearning he expressed when he suffered loss. He wrote, "To those who have endured the toss and toil of friendship, personal loss, and the hopefulness in finding the will to go on. Thank you for the 'Personal Connection in this Life'."
I, too, wish to Thank You now. Thank You for the Love and Respect you had for Thom. I am touched by your sadness and care. I look to you and Creator for Strength and Encouragement as I walk on my Healing Path - each step, a step of Faith.
My Hope is in knowing Thom lives on in the Glory of the Sunset and the First Rays of the Sun. I know I will hear Him in the Songs of the Wind that travel between the Islands of the Blessed, Turtle Island, and Homes of our Ancient Ones. I wish you Love and Peace.
gOh@nTOnA hEnjOshElAno^ (May Breath Master bless you).
Love,
Winona Simms
Assistant Dean of Students and Director, Native American Cultural Center, Stanford University |  | | |
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