TOWARDS 2005  THE FORGOTTEN ISSUES

...We have stories to tell and that is what will keep the memory of our Tupuna alive. Pass the stories to your children, for you are their link to the past ; while they are your link to the future.. Teach them who, where and what their Tupuna were. Take time to search your ancestry. Remember the path they took and their patience. Stay in tune with your feelings and be strong in your search. Trace your walk, feel satisfaction in knowing that at the end of the trail, the answer has always been within you.

There comes a time in one’s journey towards the Te Rerenga Wairua, when they come to the ngakau mohio [understanding] that in the pure form of the Wairua that even the smallest, simplest thought, action, or gesture has a significance that previously had not been seen or understood. To those that have been chosen to live in such a moment of ngakau mohio. The importance of remembering the significance of each moment and action becomes even more acknowledged because a person never knows when such a moment comes...or by what messenger the ngakau mohio will be sent.

I was looking to the East this morning, and began to wonder how the heart beat in all creation must have sound to Io. I thought this must be why the winds carry so many messages and the dreams of another powerful day awaits those of us who have been chosen to see this sunrise, and those who’s journeyed away with the last setting sun. With the Wairua, we can still bond with the spirit world.While I stood there I saw more than I can tell, and I understood more than I saw. For I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit as they live together like being one.

"As a child I understood how to give; I nearly forgot this grace since I became colonized"

For Waitaha there was no wilderness. Nature was not dangerous but hospitable, not forbidding but friendly. At the center of the old Waitaha society was the Hapu, the extended family group, the basic Fishing, Kai Providers and Social Providers. Which included grandparents, uncles, aunts, in-laws and cousins. The Hapu was like a warm womb cradling all within it. Therefore a man or woman with many children has many homes.Waitaha gravestones are not made to last. Often they were made of wood, but they reflect our nature and our beliefs. Only the mountains and the stars last forever.

All things belong to you, I am sending a Karakia, Io, my Tupuna,

forgetting nothing you have made, the stars of the universe and the living earth.

A Tohu [sign] is coming. It has been aimed directly at each of us and it is coming with such a force that only the strongest of us will be able to stand and welcome its impact. The Tohu that is coming will bring with it the purity of Love and the Power of the Peace. The power is so great that the only shield we can use for protection is Truth.

I asked why pain and betrayal exists. Others do not like to be reminded of the suffering, which was endured by our people. They want much of our History to stay in the past and ask why it is still relevant today. Many want these things to stay in the pages of a book named "History".

This cannot be done. People speak of the past because "historical" betrayals keep us from looking into the present. Yet every day we betray our inner truths and our people by the fantasies of life that we choose to live. We avoid facing what is real because it is sometimes ugly. We try and choose the things that we think will make us happy yet we are constantly changing what we thought we had found. We have lost loyalty to our wives, our husbands, our children, our parents, our culture, and to many of the things which have held our people together since the first heart beat of creation. We betray our family, our honor, and our own souls when we do not see the truth in our own selves.

The generations assassinated in Land Confiscation, Acts of prejudice and wars--and yet these have found honor in giving their lives so that our people would live. These babies, children, women, and men died because someone did not look for truth, within themselves. The ones who caused these terrible acts did so because they betrayed the very sacredness of existence that gave them themselves the breath of life. No honor rests with people who have a heart of betrayal. Betrayal of ourselves in not facing truth is what leads to such tragedies.

They refused to see the results of their actions before they took place. How could they have foretold events that had not yet come? Not all the responsibility can be placed only upon the ones actually involved, then or now---the responsibility is one that belonged to every member of society that turned away---that made excuses of non-involvement---that somehow betrayed their own souls by believing they were not responsible for the actions of their culture.

Cultures, societies, and governments do not exist independently of the people. These social cohesion’s exist with the active, silent consent of the members of all social groups.

These atrocities occurred, and continue to this day to occur, because we allow ourselves to slip away from honesty and truth a little at a time. Dishonesty is laughed at and called "little white lies." Dishonesty becomes a way we think and ultimately the way of life we live. When we are not honest and truthful we lose the ability to see others or even our own selves as we are. We hide in denial of our deception. We betray our own identities and after that we cannot help but betray all that is around us---all things that move and breathe.

Betrayal kills. Betrayal cripples us all. Betrayal is the killer of our people. We betray our selves, each other, and all that is sacred because we allow ourselves to not honor truth.

A life of truth is the only life in which pure love can live. There is no love in any relationship that is built upon dishonesty. In that circumstance there is only sickness, the sickness of betrayals. Finding truth is all around us. We see the truth of betrayals when we listen to the silence echoes warning us to look and see how easily deceived people can become. Are we ourselves on such a path?

Do not be a person that betrays truth. If you betray truth you cannot help but betray everyone around. You alone have the choice how you stand in your circle. The moment of decision is yours alone. There are no excuses. There are no second chances in life. How will you stand? As a person of betrayal no one can trust?

Much is heard today of Treaty Settlements of Grievances and apologies. The renaissance of our cultural way of life that protected and guided our Tupuna are again becoming a visible part of everyday lives. This helps bring to many the long sought after identity that for so long has been under attack, both from within our own People and from without. Due to the relentless cultural onslaughts we have endured many survivors of the past 200 years of cultural "assimilation" are now able to again become whole human beings.

Along with the returning historical lifestyles there come many questions, judgements, and an intensification of cultural conflicts.

We have seen and experienced the devastation from a personal, family, social, and tribal levels imposed upon Maori from the Crown and influential Pakeha in their attempted cultural genocide’s. Apologies have been offered, reparation funds allocated and promised. Questions are asked as to how do we restore what is gone and cannot be recovered? How do we integrate into this modern age and thought the ancient traditions which are correct for our individual Whanau/Hapu? How do we allocate and utilize resources and treaty rights for the best benefit of our unborn generations?

Treaty Grievances and apologies are being negotiated. New questions arise as to tribal organization and the evolving relationships with Central and Local governments. We see unresolved issues again focused upon indigenous cultural ways of life arise in these conflicts. We see that our cultural preservation does not have the same meaning to those who oppose our unique cultural requirements.

Leadership is needed which understands traditional values as well as the modern thought. Neo-colonialism exists to the present and we need to find the guidance through these residual ideologies in order to give to our unborn children their true cultural legacy and identities. To many, this is spoken of as living in two worlds.

It is true that pain is food for the soul--suffering makes our soul grow. If we embrace suffering [our own] and the worlds, and live through pain, it deepens our wisdom and the meaning of life.

When we were born our families nurtured us through the wisdom of our Tupuna. What may have seemed odd to some people seemed perfectly natural to ourselves. Our journeys began with many obstacles natural and unnatural. Through the many different kinds of tears we cried we learned to nurture our soul, to plant our seed, to touch the winds, and reach for Te Ra [sun] to cast our shadows from East to West. Only tree’s would have shadows of the four directions.

We learned through dreams and honored the many visions of the past, our people's dreams. We the people of this Land have an obligation to ourselves and our unborn to protect and honor our sacred world. As our population increases our natural resources diminish and the unclean air threatens our well being.

Before there were people, before there were four seasons, the four directions, Io planted the many seeds of our existence, the gift of life. From our first Whare Wanganga, we listened to the voices of our Tohanga ----echoing across the dark cloudy sky. The show of power, lightning flashes, showing us our way in our journey, and on the Road for the future of our people.

This provided a foundation to nurture our soul, which enlightens the journey within our Tikanga/Kawa Circle. The sense of being and integrity is nurtured by the process of knowledge. When we learn about ourselves and how we function as part of the environment we tendered to preserve the supportive environment, which in effect preserves our well being. Our journey is like the jet stream that travels around the world. If there are particles of pollution in the air that jet stream is altered, causing unnatural change.Once everyone gets to experience the Wairua from the Tikanga/Kawa Circle, and envision our virtues along with our interpersonal, social, and environmental awareness, then we can all organize our priorities. By developing a bond among all Whanau/Hapu and become more aware of what is important in life and what is not.

Virtue is not given---it is a hard-earned task.

Demand of yourself an appreciation of it's fundamental importance and necessity to meaningful concepts by working and focusing on your life goal, virtue, preservation of your environment, personal integrity, self preservation, respect of cultural past, personal growth, awareness of social demands, pursuit of education. One learns to integrate education with cultural identity--promoting historic values to enhance modern thought.

As you develop an appreciation for a good life, you are not able to focus on a more meaningful, creative, productive, self-preserving life. By living a more meaningful life, you nurture not only your self worth, but that of your family and people. You also become more aware of what affects you. You are more able to effect change.

Preserve existing environment because it is the only true order in our lives. All civilizations are designed as an intregal part of the natural environment. If we don't preserve our environment, we lose touch with ourselves. In order to preserve our environment, and human values, we need to develop a true communication with our past, present, our natural environment, and our natural selves. The process and activities in the Wairua from the Tikanga/Kawa Circle can provide that simple, silent communication. With the silent communication we are nurturing our minds, developing a sense of self worth giving us strength to live a natural, uncomplicated less destructive life. We plant the seed, that seed is virtue, which gives you pride, and pride gives you determination to preserve the natural world, of Papatuanuku.

We are now reasserting our rights and expressing our pride in our unique cultural heritage. The time has come to teach our younger generation the language, tribal history, the sacred karakia, waiata and ceremonies. It would be a shame, when it comes time to journey to Te Rerenga Wairua you find out you have never lived. In our way of life it is always a good day to die!

In honor and respect to my tupuna, my Kaumatua/Kuia, my Matua, my Whanau/Hapu..... these words above are theirs and are but a few of the things they shared with me, to help me along my journey. I share them with all of you in honor of their many teachings, and those who have ask me to recall them to pass on to others.

Rest, our ancestors, in the house of sorrow.
You have been pierced by the cold of death.
By the winds released from off shore,
You are carried to the point of Te Rerenga Wairua,
Where the sea weeps in sorrow on the shore.
Let it go on weeping ...

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Last modified: January 11, 2002