Growing up in a predominantly paheka farming community, I didnt know who I was or who I connected with. I was not white enough, but I also wasnt brown enough and it has made me feel embarrassed about having no identity. My Maori father spoke no Maori, my Pakeha mother had no clue either. My Koro didnt teach us as he stuttered and I think too, he was traumatized by what had happened to him as a child when he spoke Maori.
So now, I am 31, have 2 children I look at them and I know I want them to know more about our language and culture and it starts with ME. I have never appreciated our culture or language before, but I now see its beauty and I am being called to step up and learn.
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