Ohana

By Saesha Kukreja

“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” - Lilo and Stitch

Lilo and Stitch taught me that families come in different colours, shapes, and sizes. They don't all look alike but they serve a universal purpose; one that makes us feel like we belong and have access to boundless love and support. The modern-day families that I see mirror the type of relationship seen in Lilo and Stitch, a misunderstood but loving and eternal bond. 

This misunderstood bond, although difficult to navigate, is made easier when each family member strives to mutually understand each other and the values that each generation holds. I believe that strong familial bonds are kept alive by intergenerational collaboration, through our ability to impact change, motivate others, and most importantly, support our culture.

Culture is supported by a willingness to change and adapt, in the old and new, challenging predefined standards and introducing new ones.

Culture is supported by Facebook groups, YouTube channels, and other social media platforms that showcase funny and satirical jokes that a whole generation of Asians can relate to.

Culture is supported by celebrations, the light and happiness of a festival and the joy it bestows upon families across borders, often being one of the only times of reunion during the year.

Culture is supported by sacrifices, freely and unconditionally being able to risk something that you care about for someone you care about even more.

Culture is supported by you. You and I who have kept the promise to continue the tradition and making a conscious effort to take our ancestors’ teachings and pass them on to our descendants, while slowly easing into our own momentum and pace of life. 

Culture is supported by the ancestors that we look back to. The ones who built the foundation upon which we evolve.  They birthed not only our generation, but the culture and surroundings that we know and love so dearly. They sparked the tradition of passing on a new and improved baton from year to year as we fulfill the race of life. The motivation that has made relatability across social media platforms, family reunions during festivals, and the changes over the years possible. 

Ultimately, culture is kept alive by family. By members that we can rely on, jokes we laugh at, celebrations we look forward to, and our individual vow to support our culture by carrying on and sharing the tradition our ancestors have left behind.

“But if you want to leave, you can. I'll remember you though. I remember everyone that leaves.”

- Lilo and Stitch

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Saesha Kukreja is a junior at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute (in the TOPS program) with a love for writing, reading, soccer, and spending time with family and friends. She is an imaginative and ambitious individual who strives to impact change through her love of writing.

RELATION TO THEME - FAMILY

“Ohana” explores the theme of family through my opinion of how the most important part of a family and how it functions is through the traditions and knowledge passed down from generation to generation. This was evident in the story of Lilo and Stitch, a family that is different and unlike many we are used to seeing. Lilo’s quote: “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten… But if you want to leave, you can. I'll remember you though. I remember everyone that leaves”, communicates the importance of a well knit family that share mutual beliefs and values. This quote also emphasizes the value of a deceased family member and the significance their presence once had and how it can impact what we now have.