160 likes | 374 Views
Outcomes for Maori through Maori designed interventions . Linda Tuhiwai Smith. Two fundamental questions. How do we change the circumstances of disadvantaged people, individuals, families and communities? We know that deficit approaches do not work
E N D
Outcomes for Maori through Maori designed interventions Linda Tuhiwai Smith
Two fundamental questions • How do we change the circumstances of disadvantaged people, individuals, families and communities? • We know that deficit approaches do not work • We know that ‘buy-in’ by people is hugely significant • We know that resistances to forced change will occur if the changes are viewed as unjust, wrong and cruel • How do Maori participate in society and the economy without giving up their identity, (including their language, beliefs, relationships, cultural world views and their property rights)?
We know that Maori have made sustained attempts to engage with education and make it work for Maori We know that paternalism reproduces social and racial hierarchies because paternalism is based on notions of superiority We know that Maori have been able to make constructive changes when conditions have enabled us to do so
Political resistance is just one form of resistance Other forms include- alternative religions, non-engagement, silence, internal colonialism, self-hatred, alienation, marginalisation, “loss of spirit” , social and cultural death, armed struggle
Maori educational initiatives since the 1980s • Te Kohanga Reo – Maori language nests • Kura Kaupapa Maori • Wananga • Whanau systems within institutions • Alternative education • Marae within institutions • Curricula • Marae based education
Some common features of Maori initiatives • Maori identity is regarded positively but steps are always made to support and strengthen identity • Maori expect to participate as Maori in Maori and Pakeha society ie not an either or option • Maori initiatives don’t take the fact of being Maori as an excuse for failure • Maori initiatives tend to begin with what connects people to each other, to their stories and experiences and to the collective
Outcomes • Engagement • Participation • Provision • Improvement • Contribution • Expectation • Flourishing of culture • International significance • Intersection and interplay of two knowledge systems
Lessons of Transformation • When a minority group changes so to will society • Change is multi-dimensional • When Maori design the interventions the likelihood of their success is improved (not guaranteed) • Maori want the best of both worlds not second best of either world • Slow incremental change will not see any real change in our lifetimes or that of our grandchildren – it is too slow