CCF (cultural connection fatigue) is a thing.
A mihi to anyone else who has felt, is feeling, or thinks they might be due for a bout of it in the future.
Here’s to the last of summer escapes.
Today we’re keeping things short and sharp fam. I just want to recognise everyone’s efforts on this shared connection haerenga/journey, acknowledge some of what goes into it, and really shine a light on how much that can actually be for us all to carry.
To the Māori on their reconnection journey, e mihi ana ki a koutou.
For all the pre-wānanga nerves, uncomfortable conversations with family, moments when the reo Māori just would not come. For getting it wrong at the marae, for trying to hongi when it was a kiss, for all it takes to wrap your head around the mōhio/knowledge and connections that have been lost. For the moments of feeling like an outsider on both sides of the line. For the effort you’ve put into learning and meeting people and supporting those around you to perhaps take a step towards too—tēnā koutou.
To the non-Māori making efforts to strengthen their connection with Māori culture, e mihi ana ki a koutou.
For doing more than what was once expected of you, for broaching the hard topics instead of letting them pass, for putting yourself into potentially uncomfortable spaces, for choosing to learn ngā kupu/words, ngā kawa/customs, ngā tikanga/ways of doing things. For being a fantastic partner, for recognising the beauty and respecting the mana of te ao Māori. For dedicating the bandwidth to see the world through an entirely new perspective, for being sensitive to our shared and complicated history. For continuing to show up—tēnā koutou.
To all the creatives, kaiako, and support people helping the rest of us on this journey, e mihi ana ki a koutou.
For the hours of mahi—so many unpaid. For the endless patience, the empathy, and understanding. For your enthusiasm and creativity, the repetition, the protection. For the quiet encouragement you’ve whispered to us in moment of struggle, for the time you stayed behind to finish a conversation or show us a new skill, and the extra moments you waited for the kupu Māori to arrive in our minds. For the corrections, for your belief—tēnā koutou.
It ain’t easy huh?! We see and feel all you’re doing e hoa mā and we’ve got your back for the long-haul, because as hard as this journey is, it’s also ruddy BEAUTIFUL.
