Nga mihi

E ai ki te korero ma te huruhuru ka rere te manu, no reira e tika kia mihi atu ki enei i tuku awhina ki tenei kaupapa rangatira, tena koutou katoa... YES!, The Mary Meyers Fund, The Hull Family Foundation, The Clarity Fund, The Wild Rose Fund, The Thurston Family, Seeds of Justice, Motakotako marae, Te Mauri Tau, Cate Cosler, Heather Thomson, Alison Green, Jackie and Maioha, Malibu, Kaiwaka, Naomi and Brian, Extreme Waste, Soundsplash....

Background

The idea was to bring together a small group of indigenous activists, dancers, writers, builders, lawyers, mc's, mothers, fathers, children, elders who were all actively working towards a different world to wananga (explore, sit, think and share ideas) indigenous self-determination. It is not often that indigenous peoples are given the opportunity to sit and share with other indigenous peoples stories of how our communities are surviving in the face of colonization, capitalism, westernism and other external influences. It too is not often that indigenous peoples can come together and share ideas with each other as to how to retain that which is sacred to us. Examples are the preservation of our languages which are cornerstone to our identities and in some communities on the brink of extinction; how to win campaigns that bring about closures to the extraction of our Earth Mothers natural resources and; to share skills and resources as to how other peoples and communities sustaining themselves at an everyday level beyond the monetary systems to build their houses, harvest their foods and maintain a spiritual integrity.
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The orgainsing committee was as follows:

Challen Wilson
Terri Te Tau
Cate Coslor
Alison Green
Heather Thompson
Teanau Tuiono
Kewana Duncan
Kiritapu Allan
Lotus Mungakahia- Morgan
Uiterangi Te Tau Tuiono
Te Hinemoa Tuiono

Through the dedicated efforts of this crew, mothers, fathers, babies and the one bedroom 4/17 Cliff Street, Nice 'n' Native eventuated. This was through a process of many walks to the park with the kids, scrapping together coins in cars to pay for the bbq's to feed the troops and a consistent dedication to the process of communication and the vision of Nice 'n ' Native. This crew was made up of indigenous peoples and non-indigenous peoples and so to all who were a part of this process, nga mihi nunui ki a koutou.

The Nice 'n' Native 07 whanau (family) is as follows:

Teanau Tuiono
Helen Te Hira
Moana Robb
Emily Bailey
Ira Bailey
Rangi Kemara
Kiritapu Allan
Alma Rosa Silva-Bañuelos
Noa Campbell
Nikau Campbell
Tia Taurere
Chester Mark A. Tuazon
Elma Cielo Awingan
Iana Takarangi
Brett Ramey
Challen Wilson
Kewana Duncan
Wahleah Johns
Aletha Penritl
Rangimarie Aperehama
Ati Teepa
Kane Te Manakura
Cathy Rexford
Jason De Santolo
Terri Te Tau
Bobby
Claire Garnett
Tania Te Tau
Uiterangi Te Tau-Tuiono
Te Kaea Taurere-Julian
Tama Taurere-Julian
Astro Brimm
Te Kiriahi Taurere-Julian
Rereata
Heather Thompson
Alison Green

Our whanau (family) that came together for the week ranged from the four corners of the earth, bringing together tangata whenua (peoples of the land) from Alaska, the Phillipines, The desert in Arizona and New Mexico, Australia and Aotearoa. Many peoples, many tribes, many mountains, rivers, clans where brought together at Motakotako Marae. The week began with a powhiri (traditional welcome) and was solidified by the sharing of breathe as participants, orgainsers and the hou kainga (home peoples) pressed noses in a hongi before engaging in a week of physical, mental and spiritual transformation. The week was woven together the with sharing of knowledge's and struggles, paintball and touch rugby, traditional weaving, organic gardening, ceremony, stories of the plants, mountains and waters, a reggae festival, an 'indigenous vibrations' sharing forum and a lot of laughter, dancing and singing. Many ages, from babies to our elders; many skills, from dancers, frontline activists, lawyers, builders, weavers, directors and many others also that created our whariki (our woven mat) of how our vision for change for our peoples and our communities intersects. To all who came and shared their visions, their skills, their struggles, their victories, their strengths, their weaknesses

– THANKYOU. Nau te rourou, naku te rourou – ka ora te iwi.

From your foodbasket, from my foodbasket – the people will be well

Challenges and Outcomes

As with anything there are challenges, trials and hopefully triumphs. Nice 'n' Native 07 had a powerful impact on both the participants and the hapu (indigenous peoples of the area) so we are grateful that whatever challenges arouse we walked away smiling. Some challenges arising in organising Nice 'n' Native 07 were coming face to face with varying degrees of institutional racism; non-indigenous allies feeling excluded; asking diverse peoples from diverse places to come together to open up with each other; We experienced first hand as an organising committee the institutional racism that our indigenous briothers and sisters in third world countries have in being afforded the priviledge of attending our gathering. Seeking permits for our Phillipino friends took over 8 weeks and even then their visa's did not come through until the day before Nice 'n' Native was scheduled to start meaning a change in their planned flights and arriving a day later than anticipated. It was through specific Members of Parliament and established networks of the orgainsing committee that our Phillipino brother and sister were allowed to attend Nice 'n' Native 07.

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Other challenges came in the form of peoples, our allies primarily, not understanding the necessity for a space for indigneous peoples to wananga the issues that are specific to us as indigenous communitites. The strength of this space was profound for many of us. It is a priviledge to be in a space where we do not have to be protective of our indigenous identities. We were allowed to be strong indigneous peoples and even though we represented many parts of the globe, our shared indigenous histories was enough of a foundation to hold us together to begin to unravel the layers of hurt that colonisation has imposed on ourselves and our families. The first three days of Nice 'n' Native were beautiful and hard weaving togther peoples from all around the world that spend a lot of their time fighting systems, industries, corporations for a voice and a space to live according to their indigenous world views. That fighting mentality which is so necessary for many to just survive is hard to break through. Our Nice 'n' Native family done an amazing job in breaking through to just sit there and be real with people that had come from many different places, political perspectives and experiences.

By the fourth day the real gold from the wananaga began to emerge, many participiants expressing their gratitude for a space where they felt secure to be themselves, strong indigenous peoples committed to the cause of protecting their ancestoral homelands and peoples. As indigenous communitites it is easy to become complacent in the face of seemingly consistent losses. Nice 'n' Native 07 provided the necessary fire to allow for a handful of young indigenous changemakers of our time to remember that we are a small but integral piece in our history, that we do need to be standing up for what our ancestors fought for and that there is never going to be a time when we can just accept the rape and pilages of our earth mother, Papatuanuku. We will continue to dance, fight and sing for what is right.

Alma Rosa Silva-Manuelos, Chicano, New Mexico

"My journey to Aotearoa has changed my life and raised my consiousness on a personal, spiritual, local, regional and global level. I feel that I have been nourished through the indigenous peoples of the ocean. In making such a long journey from the desert to the ocean I feel that I have gained a perspective that can only happen through an exchange of culture and relationship. In building new relationships that seem to be from ancient times, it was not difficult to build trust. With the foundation that was built on the Marae, with our anscestors present, an immense amount of growth was able to blossom before our eyes. I stood witness to the most amazing experiences of growth and watched my whaunau hold each experience with spiritual wisdom and courage. The courage to challenge each other, build bridges, consciousness and relationships that are vital to the uprising of Indigenous self-determination, Tino Rangatinatanga. I was honored to be welcomed on to the Marae in a traditional and respectful way, where I was also able to share culturally my language and our song. This set the environment of Indigenous self-determination, shifting a consiousness from a colonized way of thinking to a reminder of an indigenous perspective that is connected to each other, the earth and sky. The intergenerational aspect of the Marae and working in community with all generations present and honored was a beautiful aspect of Nice 'n Native. I learned and grew during many of the sessions during Nice 'n Native but some of the most important moments of were with the Whaea (older women) on the Marae. I cherish the moments and conversation with the Maori womyn on the Marae. I learned many things, but also understood the importance of oral tradition and conversation. The stories they shared from their generations time was important for me to reflect and look at today's stories.

Iana Takarangi, Wanganui Awa, Wanganui

"I thought it was one of the best wananga (gathering) I've attended in regards to being able to express my thoughts in a comfortable safe space without being judged or told you can't say stuff like that. In regards to how it was run and organised I felt that it was also run at a high standard with consideration given to the iwi kainga (peoples of the tribal area), which is paramount. What I gained personally from the wananga was an emense wealth of knowledge I don't think I would have picked up any where else, otherwise I would've already known it. Nice 'n' Native also has opened doors for me that I don't think would've opened if it had not been for that wananga. But the most I got out of the wananga was the inspiration, to stand up for what I believe is right! So it is my self-determination to become more educated in the issues that effect us as indigenous people and help guide us as indigenous youth in this ever changing world."

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Rangimarie Abraham, Muriwhenua, Pohutiare

"I found my piece of the puzzle. For awhile now my awareness of the social justice movement has been increasing, but I had difficulty relating personally to those ideals. I have a sense of urgency that I didn't before. What was solidified for me during Nice 'n' Native is that the indigenous struggle IS valid. That societies that say they promote justice cannot be built upon the injustice of the indigenous people. That there is no reason to feel complacent because someone elses' suffering was or seems to have been more severe. That oppression is oppression and exploitation is exploitation and that either of those things, at any level, are not acceptable. I also became aware of the value of indigenous peoples history and knowledge, a realisation that those methods allowed cultures to survive for hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands of years, but also that they offer models for the future, or the now."
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Tia Taurere, Greenpeace, Nga Puhi

"Nice 'n' Native for me was the first time I had the opportunity to sit and share in a indigenous space. I felt a mutual understanding without words being spoken. I gave myself a personal assessment on what level of consciousness I was on and felt humbled in the presents of such strong Rangatira (leaders) from other countries around the world. I also came away with a clear vision and not to waste my time. Time is precious and now my energy is being given to my own, the ones who need it. Nice 'n' Native is an experience that empowered me and recharged me to give more back to my people."

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Brett Ramey, Native Movement, Iowa

"I wasn't entirely sure what Nice 'n' Native was about until I got there. I knew we would be having some korero (talks) about indigenous self-determination, playing paintball, and hitting up some reggae on the ocean' So when we arrived at the Marae, I saw my whole world at home reflected in the work of the local community, and from the rest of our crew at the gathering. In addition to what we shared and learned with each other about our own communities, we also heard from folks working on language revitalization, zero-waste initiatives, farming, and weaving. It was good to share stories, and to realize that there is a whole mob of us out there working to make things right for our families and all the little ones who come later'" [ image disabled ]

Wahleah Johns, Black Mesa Water Coalition,Arizona, Din'e

"Nice n Native was a healing experience for me and I'm so glad I attended. It is a rarity to find space that bridges young indigenous peoples from all over the world to discuss the day-to-day challenges of being indigenous and maintaining our identity. The gathering created a historical reflection and sharing about our paths of tribes and clans we all represent as well as the creativity and gifts that we all have within us to move forward with unity and strength."

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Kane Te Manakura, Tamaki Makaurau, Tuuhoe

Ko Maungapohatu te maunga, ko Ohinemataroa te awa, ko Toikairakau te tupuna, ko Tuhoe te iwi, ko Hamua te hapu, ko Kane Te Manakura toku ingoa. "I came to the hui knowing little of tino rangatiratanga/mana motuhake, and with a deep sense that healed and whole indigenous selves and communities was just a nice idea. The collective power of the people brought together for Nice n Native has spurred on the realization that this, and a sustainable indigenous self-determination is not only necessary but possible. By being so thoroughly but supportively humbled I was able to listen and see from a fresh perspective, and the very real hope that our communities can be healthy, whole and function independently of the capitalist empire is what I saw. From this simple but powerful insight I have experienced many other interrelated transformations, too many to list all, but the most important are a renewal of my taha wairua (spiritual self), especially related to renewed relationship with Papatuanuku; I have come to recognize something of how deeply colonized I am, a good thing because now I can start the positive and humbling process of de-colonisation.

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Next steps

Conscious Collaborations took many learnings from Nice 'n' Native 07 and is committed to
nurturing the seeds that were planted whilst we sat together during our week at Motakotako
Marae. Next steps and Projects that Conscious Collaborations is taking is in four primary areas.
Natives Upskilling Natives Wananga
Nice 'n' Native 08,
Tino Ranagtiratanga Flag Campaign
and the Black Sands Mining Campaign.

Conscious Collaborations is committed to growing strong and grounded peoples and communities, protecting Papatuanuku and raising awareness as to the indigenous peoples struggle in Aotearoa. Therefore we have taken a 2 prong approach in our major projects for the following year. To growing and cultivating peoples minds, hearts and spirits and to actively campaigning to protect the mauri of our lands, waters and peoples. Natives
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Upskilling Natives:

Wananga proposed for this year include: - Power Mapping, how to run a campaign from the start to finish and come out with a win
- Photoshop and Final cut
- Wananga Reo
- Wananga Tikanga
- Funding
- Adobe Housebuilding
- Ropes courses These wananga will vary in length from 1 – 4 days. It is proposed that these will be mainly open wananga with the only committment from participants that they are in the wananaga from the begining to the end. The main focus of our courses is however focused on the needs from the participants from Nice 'n' Native 07 and therefore they are expected to make up a large component of our participants.

Nice 'n' Native 08:

Ngai Tuuhoe has put in a tono (offered) to host the next Nice 'n' Native in their rohe (tribal region) in the heart of the Urewera. It is proposed that Nice 'n' Native 08 will take place in March 22-28 2008. During the year for us here in Aotearoa our focus is developing the skills of our Maori artists, activist and change makers locally and holding one event each year the brings down indigenous brothers and sisters from around the world to share their knowledges, struggles and visions with our peoples here.

Campaigns:

We as an organisation and as young indigenous peoples believe that our approach needs to be multi-faceted in the way we make change within our world. Bringing legitimacy to our indigenous struggle within Aotearoa, protecting our sacred land, upholding the mana (power and wisdom) or our ancestors is paramount. Therefore we will continue to raise public awareness as to the implications of the degradation to our Earth Mother Papatuanuku. All of the Conscious Collaboration Collective was involved in bringing public awareness, organising land marches and rallying against the biggest land confiscation of the Maori peoples in 2004. This land that was confiscated is currently being prospected for mining purposes by multi-national corporations and companies. We therefore see it as our responsibility to be actively campaigning against the rape and pilage of Papatuanuku's natural resources and her mauri (life-force). Conscious Collaborations will work with other anti-mining groups to ensure that those mining drills will not pierce her skin. We are also committed to lifting the public awareness to the indigenous struggle here in Aotearoa and are actively working on a campaign that seeks to bring about constitutional recognition of our indigenous flag.

Contact:

Kiritapu Allan and Teanau Tuiono, Co-Directors
consciouscollaborations@gmail.com
+64 7 825 8401
+64 27 4321 123
www.conscious.maori.nz