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Sia Figiel was granted the Common Wealth award for her first novel, Where We Once Belonged (1996). She is known to be one of Western Samoa's major writers.

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Three years later, Figiel published her second novel, They who do not grieve (1999). http://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/EN/New/recommendedauthors/Pages/siafigiel.aspx n the novel, Figiel incorporates her poetic talents through the voices of three generations of women who are descendants of Samoa and New Zealand. I

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Figiel has also published two works of poetry, Girl in the moon circle (1996) and To a young artist in contemplation (1998). In 1994, her poetry works won the Polynesian Literary Competition which earned Figiel major recognition as poet. She is commonly known as a performance poet, where she attends many literary festivals. http://littleisland.co.nz/artists/sia-figiel

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She felt it to be a sign of weakness and did not want that to shape her as a writer and a public figure. Due to family, friends, and loved ones dying from such complications, she finally felt that it was time to speak up about the disease. In 2012, paralleled by a move to the United States of America, Figiel began to address her diabetes both publicly and personally making appearances at various conferences and Since then, she has served as an advocate in the Pacific region by sharing her personal experiences to help win the battle in the fight against diabetes. Today, Figiel acts as a graven image for good health by targeting both those with diabetes and those who are making an effort to prevent it. Figiel's inspirational story was also featured on CNN, where she discusses her struggle with food and explains how because she's from American Samoa, a place where food is such a major part of the culture, she had a hard time trying to manage her diabetes. But since moving to the U.S. in the state of Utah, she's lost 100 pounds. The article also draws upon how the high doses of insulin she had to take everyday rotted away her teeth causing her with serious dental complications. Not only did it leave her with major dental complications, but she was also left with very low blood sugar many times. Fortunately, her son always knew exactly what to do and how to help her, which according to Figiel, "had saved her life continuously during this time." Today, Figiel is living and leading a healthy life, helping to guide and inspire others to do the same.

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The Girl in the Moon Circle is a poem that is supposed to be from the perspective of a 10 year old girl, Samoana. In it, she talks about her daily activities and life in Samoa such as her friends, family, boy crushes, church and school. http://littleisland.co.nz/artists/sia-figiel

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Greatly influenced by her Samoan culture, Sia Figiel became inspired to unmask her talents as a writer, poet, and painter. She attended school in Samoa and New Zealand, where she then acquired a BA in Whitworth College in the U.S.. After getting her BA, Figiel travelled to many places in Europe, such as the University of the South Pacific, University of Technology, Sydney, and Suva where where she was able to achieve writers’ residencies.

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Figiel's greatest influence and inspiration in her career is the Samoan novelist and poet, Albert Wendt.