title: Indigenous people with disabilities: The argument for representation in human rights legislation (with specific reference to the development stage of the United Nations International Disability Convention)

authors: Hickey, Huhana

subjects: Tangata whaikaha

abstract: Until comparatively recently, human rights legislation was largely based on a universalist analysis. In treating all human beings alike, in failing to acknowledge the need for special measures to combat the marginalisation and oppression of particular groups, such as indigenous people and people with disabilities, it actually contributed to their invisibility and, hence, to their marginalisation and oppression. More recently, however, there has been a global trend towards the recognition of marginalised groups in human rights legislation. Even so, universalism, and the prejudice that so often accompanies it, is still in evidence. For example, although the United Nations is currently involved in drafting a Disabled Persons Convention, indigenous people with disabilities are not specifically represented. Their particular situation, one that involves a dual form of oppression (as indigenous people and as people with disabilities) is not acknowledged. Unless this situation is remedied, the Convention will inevitably be both less acceptable and less useful than would otherwise be the case.

text: Indigenous people with disabilities: The argument for representation in human rights legislation (with specific reference to the development stage of the United Nations International Disability Convention) Until comparatively recently, human rights legislation was largely based on a universalist analysis. In treating all human beings alike, in failing to acknowledge the need for special measures to combat the marginalisation and oppression of particular groups, such as indigenous people and people with disabilities, it actually contributed to their invisibility and, hence, to their marginalisation and oppression. More recently, however, there has been a global trend towards the recognition of marginalised groups in human rights legislation. Even so, universalism, and the prejudice that so often accompanies it, is still in evidence. For example, although the United Nations is currently involved in drafting a Disabled Persons Convention, indigenous people with disabilities are not specifically represented. Their particular situation, one that involves a dual form of oppression (as indigenous people and as people with disabilities) is not acknowledged. Unless this situation is remedied, the Convention will inevitably be both less acceptable and less useful than would otherwise be the case.

year: 2005-09

title: "Takahi ngā takahanga o ngā tūpuna" - Tramp the pathways of our ancestors

authors: Williams, Taniwha

subjects: Māori health and wellbeing

abstract: The rise of reconnecting to holistic approaches to health to improve wellbeing outcomes for Māori has become increasingly prominent in recent years. Such developments have highlighted the need to introduce traditional Māori concepts, values and practices within whānau, hapū and iwi as vehicles for promoting and improving Māori health. This research had two objectives. Firstly, it aimed to explore the process of reclaiming mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems) with my whānau who had limited access to te ao Māori (the Māori world). The second objective sought to explore the experiences of my whānau reconnecting with te reo me ōna tikanga (Māori language and culture). Using the Whiti Te Rā as a guide informed the design and structure of the wānanga (workshops). The Whiti Te Rā is a therapeutic model designed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori by developing and enhancing a cultural identity. Central to this model are six Māori customary practices and values that provide pathways to wellbeing and flourishing mauri. These dimensions also have synergies with other models of health – Te Whare Tapa Whā, Te Wheke. Four tāne (men) from my whānau took part in this research. We used the Pūrākau Method to record, explore, and analyse the narratives that emerged following each wānanga. The key findings from this research included connection to history, whakapapa and wairua; connection to pepeha and cultural practices; connection to self as a Māori; connection through whanaungatanga; and connection to taiao (the environment). This study showed that Māori models of health and wellbeing are consistent in demonstrating their effectiveness in connecting Māori to their language and culture. Despite the impact of colonisation, reconnection to customary practices and values was meaningful and valuable to my whānau. Future research is needed to revitalise, regenerate and reclaim a thriving Māori identity.

text: "Takahi ngā takahanga o ngā tūpuna" - Tramp the pathways of our ancestors The rise of reconnecting to holistic approaches to health to improve wellbeing outcomes for Māori has become increasingly prominent in recent years. Such developments have highlighted the need to introduce traditional Māori concepts, values and practices within whānau, hapū and iwi as vehicles for promoting and improving Māori health. This research had two objectives. Firstly, it aimed to explore the process of reclaiming mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems) with my whānau who had limited access to te ao Māori (the Māori world). The second objective sought to explore the experiences of my whānau reconnecting with te reo me ōna tikanga (Māori language and culture). Using the Whiti Te Rā as a guide informed the design and structure of the wānanga (workshops). The Whiti Te Rā is a therapeutic model designed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori by developing and enhancing a cultural identity. Central to this model are six Māori customary practices and values that provide pathways to wellbeing and flourishing mauri. These dimensions also have synergies with other models of health – Te Whare Tapa Whā, Te Wheke. Four tāne (men) from my whānau took part in this research. We used the Pūrākau Method to record, explore, and analyse the narratives that emerged following each wānanga. The key findings from this research included connection to history, whakapapa and wairua; connection to pepeha and cultural practices; connection to self as a Māori; connection through whanaungatanga; and connection to taiao (the environment). This study showed that Māori models of health and wellbeing are consistent in demonstrating their effectiveness in connecting Māori to their language and culture. Despite the impact of colonisation, reconnection to customary practices and values was meaningful and valuable to my whānau. Future research is needed to revitalise, regenerate and reclaim a thriving Māori identity.

year: 2024

title: Editorial: Striving for social justice: The power that picturebooks have to counter inequitable cultural hegemony

authors: Daly, Nicola

abstract: Children’s literature has a long association with education. It has transmitted cultural values to readers over many centuries, often reflecting dominant identities and cultures of the time. Picturebooks, a specific format in children’s literature, are unique in their marriage of image and text and can have a powerful influence on readers’ perceptions of themselves, others and the world around them. Our focus on picturebooks as a subset of children’s literature reflects our view that picturebooks have a particular power for a very wide age group, from those who cannot read independently, to those who are making choices on behalf of future readers. It is the fact that picturebooks are often chosen by adults, such as parents, librarians, teachers and publishers, for readers forming their views of the world that make them of particular interest when it comes to maintaining or disrupting existing power structures.

text: Editorial: Striving for social justice: The power that picturebooks have to counter inequitable cultural hegemony Children’s literature has a long association with education. It has transmitted cultural values to readers over many centuries, often reflecting dominant identities and cultures of the time. Picturebooks, a specific format in children’s literature, are unique in their marriage of image and text and can have a powerful influence on readers’ perceptions of themselves, others and the world around them. Our focus on picturebooks as a subset of children’s literature reflects our view that picturebooks have a particular power for a very wide age group, from those who cannot read independently, to those who are making choices on behalf of future readers. It is the fact that picturebooks are often chosen by adults, such as parents, librarians, teachers and publishers, for readers forming their views of the world that make them of particular interest when it comes to maintaining or disrupting existing power structures.

year: 2022