Decolonisation

Summary

This video script explores the harmful effects of colonization on Māori culture and identity in Aotearoa (New Zealand), comparing it to a toxic friendship. It highlights the broken promises of the British to protect Māori sovereignty and culture, leading to the loss of land and the decline of the Māori language. The concept of decolonization is introduced as a way to reclaim power and restore cultural pride, with examples of resistance movements like Hōne Heke and Dame Whina Cooper. The script calls for embracing Māori heritage and rethinking systems like education, justice, and health from a decolonized perspective.

Takeaways

• 😀 Colonisation is compared to a toxic friendship that makes you feel small and ignores things that are important to you.
• 😀 The relationship between Māori and the British involved trade, but the promises made in the He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi were broken.
• 😀 By 1900, about 95% of Māori land had been sold or taken by the Crown, significantly impacting Māori culture and land ownership.
• 😀 Māori were discouraged from speaking their language, and schools were set up to assimilate Māori children into Pākehā ways.
• 😀 Māori culture was devalued and seen as inferior to British culture, leading to the decline of Te reo Māori and Māori traditions.
• 😀 Decolonisation is about recognizing the toxic impact of colonisation and taking action to reclaim power and cultural identity.
• 😀 Key figures in decolonisation include Hōne Heke, who chopped down the flagpole symbolizing colonial rule, and Dame Whina Cooper, who led a march to stop the taking of Māori land.
• 😀 Decolonisation involves rebuilding a Māori world that supports Māori people, language, and cultural practices.
• 😀 Indigenous peoples globally are often represented in negative statistics like poverty, crime, and poor health due to the dismantling of their systems and cultures.
• 😀 Decolonisation starts with embracing one's cultural heritage, such as learning te reo Māori or understanding Māori whakapapa and pepehā, and incorporating Māori approaches into systems like education, justice, and health.

Q & A

What is the metaphor used to describe colonization in the script?

Colonization is compared to a toxic friend—someone you’ve had good times with, but who ultimately makes you feel small, ignores you, and disrespects your values and culture.

How does the script describe the relationship between Māori and the British when they first arrived in Aotearoa?

The relationship started with trade between Māori and the British, and was initially based on agreements like He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which promised to protect Māori culture and sovereignty.

What happened to Māori land by 1900, and how did this impact Māori people?

By 1900, about 95% of Māori land had been sold or taken by the Crown. This led to significant displacement, loss of resources, and disruption to Māori communities.

How was Māori culture impacted by colonization?

Māori culture was undermined, with the language (te reo Māori) discouraged in schools and Māori traditions dismissed as inferior to British customs.

What does 'decolonizing' mean, according to the script?

Decolonizing means recognizing that a harmful relationship (colonization) is damaging, and taking action to reclaim cultural power and identity in order to heal and thrive.

Can you provide examples of Māori leaders who fought against colonization in the script?

Hōne Heke, who chopped down the flagpole symbolizing the colonizer, and Dame Whina Cooper, who led a march demanding the government stop taking Māori land, are examples of Māori leaders who resisted colonization.

What is the significance of the term 'rangatiratanga' in the context of the script?

'Rangatiratanga' refers to Māori sovereignty and self-governance, a key concept in the promises made in He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

What are some ways the script suggests decolonization can begin on a personal level?

Decolonization might start by embracing your Māori whakapapa (ancestry), learning te reo Māori, or understanding your pepehā (tribal introduction).

Why does the script highlight the negative statistics surrounding Indigenous peoples?

The script suggests that the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in negative statistics—such as poverty, crime, and poor health—stems from the dismantling of their cultural systems and the ongoing impacts of colonization.

What question does the script pose to encourage rethinking the systems in New Zealand?

The script asks: 'What if we decolonized our education, justice, political, arts, and health systems, incorporating a Māori approach? What would our country look like?'