Whats my why? My why is because I was adopted to a pakeha whānau who knew that learning our culture was something they could not do. Through out my life my parents placed me in education providers that could support my cultural identity. However their vision was not in time with society. I am 1975 child & yes we had opportunities at school but in the community you were shamed. If you didn't know your pepeha, your iwi you felt shamed & less Māori. It didn't help when the adult information act allows you to know your whakapapa when you are 21 years of age. By this time you are pretty assimilated & your focus is on being a young adult & enjoying the adventures of life. My pakeha parents gave me a Māori name & i could not escape my identity. I met my whakapapa whānau but this didn't mean I had a connection with Te Reo. The impact had woven into my life & its not until I studied at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, I learnt the importance of Te Reo, the history & the impact on my whānau. How my kui * koro were part of the Kohanga movement in Ötautahi. The constant barriers & challenges they fought & knowing our reo is important for our survival as a people. Knowing who you are, your kui & koro & whakapapa is the most important. My Te Reo journey has been a struggle & it still is now but its a life long journey. Its part of my life & I'm glad that i was able to see the importance. The first time I felt I know my identity was 2017, this is also the first time was able to acknowledge my iwi & tupuna cause I had gone to each marae. This was the year that I will never felt lost again. My why is identity.
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