Naomi Faik-Simet (b. 1977[1]) is a Papua New Guinean dance researcher at the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies.[2][3] She is the first PhD from Papua New Guinea to graduate from a dance studies program.[2] Fail-Simet is also the first dance research her country's government ever employed.[4] She works to preserve and create cultural traditions. Papua New Guinea is working to be modern.[5] Sometimes people do not like traditional ideas.[5] Faik-Simet wants people from Papua New Guinea to remember their culture and not just adopt other cultural traditions.[6] She teaches people about traditional and contemporary dance and music.[5] She shows people traditional and new arts can go together.[5] She represents Papua New Guinea for UNESCO's Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre, the International Council for Traditional Music, World Dance Alliance, and World Alliance for Arts Education.[7][4]
Faik-Simet was born in Papua New Guinea.[2] She grew up during the period after Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia.[2]
In 2001, Faik-Simet started working for the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies.[4] In 2003 she returned to University of Papua New Guinea to complete her undergraduate college degree.[4] She completed her degree in 2005.[4] Soon, Faik-Simet realized she needed more education.[4] First, she connected with experts who lived in New Zealand, Nicholas Rowe and Ralph Buck.[4] In 2010 she got a scholarship from the University of Auckland to study a traditional dance called "gunge takwaku."[4]
Faik-Simet graduated from University of Auckland in New Zealand with a PhD in dance studies in November, 2021.[2][4] She studied in New Zealand from. April 28, 2017 until Dec 29, 2020.[4] She studied the impact of colonialism on dance education in Papua New Guinea.[2] Faik-Simet studied how to use dance to pass down culture and knowledge.[2] She is now the assistant director at the Institute of Papua New Guinea.[2] Faik-Simet is the only dance researcher in Papua New Guinea.[8]
Faik-Simet helps organize conferences, like the 8th Symposium of the ICTM Study Group on Music and Dance of Oceania.[5]
She received the Mineral Resource Development Co (MRDC) award in 2011 for making an impact in decolonising dance in Papua New Guinea. The award is a Westpac Public Sector award.[8] It is part of the Westpac Outstanding Women Award.[8]
Faik-Simet and her husband have two children.[2]