A HEALING JOURNEY George and I have been part of the Indigenous Ancestral Healing Collective since 2020. The collective includes two tribal coalition directors, two Alliance staff (from Turtle Island/USA), along with Indigenous people from Kānaka Maoli (Hawai’i), Māori Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Aboriginal (Australia) representing subject matter experts, professionals, academia, radio broadcaster, artists andContinue reading “Indigenous Anthology”
Author Archives: Tākuta Teah
Hapai te hauora
“it’s like breathing your ancestors into life” Drawing from the wisdom of the whakataukī ‘Te Amorangi ki mua, te hāpai ō ki muri’, explorations of breathing our ancestors into life can be attained through ‘amorangi’ spiritual realm and ‘hāpai o’ physical realm. Further, the late koroua, Wiremu Tawhai explained that those who follow are asContinue reading “Hapai te hauora”
Shapeshifting in the Journal of Critical Psychology
Have you ever worked on something for so long it seems like it might never arrive – like an overdue baby that’s got to come out sometime right? My friends and I – Rachel and Ali have been working hard / shapeshifting in the background to get this publication live. And now it is! AndContinue reading “Shapeshifting in the Journal of Critical Psychology”
Ira Tangata, Ira Atua
As a child growing up I would stand on maunga that surrounded my whare and imagine I had the mana to control the elements – change the direction of the winds – declaring to Hineomairangi and Tāwhirimātea to heed to my words. After my karanga I would listen for the tree to chatter, birds toContinue reading “Ira Tangata, Ira Atua”
Pink Salt Healing
“To live free in an unfree space” My friend, my follower that remains Blood vessel purple pain Bring on pink salt healing A crystal sting on my wound With skin to rise Reminds me we belong Birthed in salt waters the same salt that Suspends and flavours our brain Below inflamed toothless gums Chewing onContinue reading “Pink Salt Healing”
Tāne te Waiora
Mens health Week 2021 I have a Rockstar pāpā (dad) who is the kaumātua of the shearing sheds, who cuts up mutton faster than he can smoke a cigarette – I know cause he does it at the same time! He’s hearty, oldskool, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it kinda fulla and can usuallyContinue reading “Tāne te Waiora”
On this mother’s day
I wrote my poem below after I read an article about a māmā whale, grieving the death of her calf, in her own way. Tai te Kahurangi Wahine tangi haehae, he ngaru moana, e kore e mātaki As I read the words “she was a mother, who happened to be an orca” I know, IContinue reading “On this mother’s day”
Story Catcher
Catching stories is a privilege but telling them is such a skill. It takes skills to hold peoples attention, imagination, emotions and connect in ways that go beyond words that are spoken. #consciouspuku
Understanding is LIFE
One of my idols Dr Manulani Aluli Meyer. I resonate with this quote on many levels. I have come to ‘understand’ by doing and sharing. Part of my liberated understanding is listening, with my minds eye, heart and puku. #consciouspuku
What do you do māmā?
When asked by my tamariki what I do – I described that I catch stories, from the people that I meet and connect with through interviews, wānanga and readings. This picture is one such story that is important to me, it holds the mana, humour, aroha and whānau that grounds me in everything that IContinue reading “What do you do māmā?”
What fills you up?
After near burnout a year ago I hold onto this knowing as it guides me in the decisions I make everyday. To say “ae/yes” or “kao/no”. If I have a choice. Once you become aware what fills you up then make sure thats an integral part of your day. #consciouspuku
Defining Authentic Value
On Wednesday 4th February, Teah was part of a fireside chat with the Mind Lab on Defining Authentic Value – one of the key topics on the programme Teah is on – Leading Change for Good postgrad certificate. Facilitator Saskia Verraes guides the kōrero with Teah, Martin King and Rachel Knight. #consciouspuku
Re-claiming by re-telling
Sharing our stories is an important part of healing and giving back. I was humbled when asked to join the Te Maatanga Doctoral Network for Waikato-Tainui College for Research & Development. My doctoral journey was not the easiest but neither was my journey to get there. Without the love, encouragement and support of whānau, friendsContinue reading “Re-claiming by re-telling”
My conscious puku
Wairua We are not our body, mind and experiences we are wairua – consciousness. I see the universe as a projection of our stories, our pūrākau – a trillion stories, connected like synapses in the brain creating electric static, vibrating power to life all at once. The static projecting out every individuals perception of theirContinue reading “My conscious puku”
Insight into my practice
This painting is a representation of my mātauranga. It shows the mahi, kaupapa, training and skills that I have been gifted to share with ao-mārama – our world. I acknowledge and honour the lens in which each of us may look at this peitatanga (painting). Just as I regard legitimate knowledge as context specific andContinue reading “Insight into my practice”
The Taniwha
My first post. Identity at any meaningful level cannot be manufactured or manipulated; it is as much genetic imprint as formative experience. No matter what destructive processes we have gone through, eventually the taniwha stirs in all of us, and we can only be who we are. Merata Mita in Dennis & Bierenga, 1996, p.Continue reading “The Taniwha”
8,000 burpees for Movember!
In support of Movember, an annual event raising awareness for men’s mental health. I was part of a roopū that were challenged to burpee the height of Mt Everest, which is over 8,000 burpees in one week. The goal of the challenge is to burpee the height of Mt Everest, which is exactly 8,848m tall.Continue reading “8,000 burpees for Movember!”
Indigenous Optometry
I presented to the LIOEN ‘Leaders in Indigenous Optometry Education Network’ today and I gained some awesome kōrero and insight from the Indigenous speakers such as Professor Gregory Phillips, Renata Watene – Māori Optometrist, Dr Kristopher Rallah-Baker and Shannon Davis – first Aboriginal woman Optometrist. Greg opened by asking “How did we care for ourContinue reading “Indigenous Optometry”
Leadership for good.
Teah. In Greek the mythological Thea (Teah) was Greek goddess of light and mother of the sun; moon and dawn. Hmmm I will take that. I am passionate in a gritty kind of way, a mix of passion and perseverance, about the continued advancement of Māori and Indigenous peoples, and see it as an honourContinue reading “Leadership for good.”
Protected: Digging Deep
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Te ipu ā Ranginui
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Evaluative Thinking
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Stay Brown!
To “Stay Brown” means to privilege, amplify and exemplify your Indigenous heritage – Te Ao Māori in the ways that hold you, speak to you and guide you. It means exploring your whakapapa, learning about your lands, your pūrākau (ancestral/whānau stories). Learn about and care for the Maunga that shadow over your whenua, the awaContinue reading “Stay Brown!”
Whakarongo
Whakarongo, whakarongo, whakarongoKi te tangi a te manu e karanga neiTui, tui, tuituia!Tuia i runga, Tuia I raro,Tuia i roto, tuia i waho,Tuia i te here tangataKa rongo te pō, Ka ronga te pō.Tuia i te kāwai tangata i heke maiI Hawaiki nui, I Hawaiki roa,i Hawaiki pāmamaoI hono ki te wairua, ki te whaiContinue reading “Whakarongo”
That space between cells speaks
The lessons of tīpuna imprinted within, without, through and in between. That space between cells speaks without words, screams with emotion. I feel more deeply when I am still, calm and grounded. Tangaroa-a-mua I have consciously and unconsciously observed and felt maramataka – Māori lunar calendar. I come in and out of the awareness ofContinue reading “That space between cells speaks”
Aro ki te wairua o te hā
This statement is deeply important to our whānau it embodies what we strive for everyday. What it means to us is the acknowledgement, responsibly and action of aroha beyond human form and knowing. We understand that Aroha is one of the most emancipating values, not in a loving, romantic kind of way but freedom, toContinue reading “Aro ki te wairua o te hā”
All those being culturally responsive & appropriate please sit down!
Decolonisation is about the decentering of whiteness as the owners of the world forever W.E.B. Du Bois, 1920 … even talk about cultural responsiveness and appropriateness can overlook and ignore the history of colonisation experienced by many Indigenous peoples and the consequent need to challenge racism and recognise indigenous sovereignty (Cram & Mertens, 2016). WeContinue reading “All those being culturally responsive & appropriate please sit down!”
Protected: Black Crow
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
What makes me beat?
Im a coastie kid, who has a Pākehā māmā with hippie tendencies and an extremely hard working pāpā with coastie tendencies. I have two brothers, who I brought up as the older sister. I grew up around my both my sets of grandparents – they taught me where I came from and planted seeds. IContinue reading “What makes me beat?”
Gritty – Passion & Perseverance
Spending so much time outside as a child allowed me to wonder, play and imagine. As an adult te tai ao – the environment provides me with many things. It grounds me, blows my hurt away, swirls all around me and makes me feel like my emotion is manageable. What motivates me? I am passionateContinue reading “Gritty – Passion & Perseverance”
Kirimoko – Blood & Bone Holder
Kirimoko. The seen face of life, land, space and love. Skin breathing. The breath of our bodies, protection, oxygen, our blood and bone holder. An expression of self, relationships. To stand out or fit in? Ink holder, cells and whakapapa. Skin protected. We cover it in creams, lotions, make up, chemicals, shave, shape it, pierceContinue reading “Kirimoko – Blood & Bone Holder”
Indigenous Peoples Day (Everyday!)
Hei ngā kāwai nui, hei ngā kāwai roa, o ngā wai whakatere taniwha, o ngā wai pou ngā hoe, o ngā Mātua tīpuna, otira, o ngā toka tū whenua, o ngā Maunga kōrero, nei a Ngā Pou Mana e mihi atu ana i raro i te maru o IAHA Tena koutou katoa, E rere atuContinue reading “Indigenous Peoples Day (Everyday!)”
Our home birth
Initially home birth was not my first choice; I wanted to give birth in a birthing centre. I did not want the mess at home, worry about cleaning my whare, having to cook my own kai. I wanted to be looked after, thought of, wanted my baby and I to be safe. These ideas wereContinue reading “Our home birth”
Feel the burn
Its been two years since my submission and it still burns. Not so much a raging fire but the embers are still hot. I wrote this poem after submitting my PhD. I watched a video on inspiring wahine. When I watched it, it sparked something in me. She said “the world is waiting for you to setContinue reading “Feel the burn”
No more butts whānau!
In celebration of World Smokefree Day 31st May 2020 our wee whānau put together this video. Ever since I was little I tried to get mum and dad to give up. I hated being stuck in the car with them the smoke used to sting my eyes. Then I ended up joining in for aContinue reading “No more butts whānau!”
Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki
Our research project’s name, Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki, comes from an ancient karakia used during the birth of Tūhuruhuru the son of Hineteiwaiwa (the atua of childbirth and te whare pora – the house of weaving). It refers to the weaving of a ceremonial whariki (mat) for birth and serves toContinue reading “Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki”
Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki
Our research project’s name, Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki, comes from an ancient karakia used during the birth of Tūhuruhuru the son of Hineteiwaiwa (the atua of childbirth and te whare pora – the house of weaving). It refers to the weaving of a ceremonial whariki (mat) for birth and serves toContinue reading “Raranga, raranga taku takapau: hapū ora for tamariki”
Whakaroau
In this moment our kurī Poki was injured so I put her in this pull cart and off we went to the beach. She was soooo happy that she could come with the whānau and wasn’t left out. This moment was perfect in every way. She was in pain but right here she was contentContinue reading “Whakaroau”
Transforming Health Literacy
Come on a journey with me, watch my art transform darkness into form. Turn your world upside down and unpack what it means to decolonise our ways of being. Lets start with reclaiming what is ours – health literacy – a space for Māori to be ourselves; a space that is negotiated, adaptive and shaped byContinue reading “Transforming Health Literacy”
The Struggle for Ihumātao
It was a privilege to Chair the session with Pania Newton for this awesome kaupapa on Te Tiriti based futures + Anti Racism 2020. I learnt that occupation of land transformed a movement – The SOUL protest caught the attention of a nation and the world. The people came in their masses and stayed. IhumātaoContinue reading “The Struggle for Ihumātao”
Ngā Pou Mana
Transforming Māori health and wellbeing through courageous Māori leadership Our voluntary work comes in different forms and at the moment most of our time is committed to Ngā Pou Mana – Tangata Whenua Allied Health. George and I are both board members. We are very proud to be part of this National Organisation that supportsContinue reading “Ngā Pou Mana”
Kia haumaru te noho!
We wanted to share our whānau message of creating safe practices when our whānau arrive home from mahi – essential workers on the frontline. #nohokitekainga #kiahaumarutenoho #COVID #URUTA #COVID_19Indigenous_World We were inspired as pāpā comes home from mahi and follows these easy steps to keep us safe in our wee bubble. We had lots of fun making this video.Continue reading “Kia haumaru te noho!”
Re-post: Community reflections on Te Tiriti
February 6, 2019 Press Release – Hapai Te Hauora Committing to truth, committing to change: Community reflections on Te Tiriti today Over the last few weeks, Hāpai Te Hauora gathered the perspectives of those in our communities about Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We interviewed a range of people living in New Zealand about their commitmentContinue reading “Re-post: Community reflections on Te Tiriti”
Healing our Spirits
Gawuwi gamarda Healing Our Spirits Worldwide. We met on the country of the Cadigal peoples of the Eora Nation. The conference brought together Indigenous peoples from around the world to gather and celebrate the power of our knowledge and our wisdom, to share our stories, truths, histories with pride and purpose and to embrace spirit.Continue reading “Healing our Spirits”
Wairua and Birthing
Pregnancy and birth are key times in the lives of mothers, babies and their whānau. Some whānau have the resources and life contexts that enable them to understand and experience pregnancy and birth using Māori concepts, frameworks and practices. Other Māori experience pregnancy and birth within a largely Western or mainstream biomedical system of processesContinue reading “Wairua and Birthing”
Kaupapa Māori consultancy 