Decolonisation is the process of withdrawing colonial influences from previously indigenous spaces, and structures, leaving them independent. Reindigenisation is a new word, it is the process at which indigenous perspectives, languages, cultures and systems are added back to our existing world; creating a space where multiculturalism can flourish. Having discussed this topic with some important Tangata Whenua in my life, creating a space for people both Māori and Pākehā to learn about Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview) and what it looks like in Aotearoa is essential. We established that reindigenising is a means of explaining the importance of Te Ao Māori influences in Aotearoa. Examples include using Treaty settlements, Māori leadership and Aotearoa’s co-governance systems to understand and celebrate how Te Ao Māori is not just relevant for Māori but for us all.
These designs represent culture and whenua that have been taken or influenced by colonisation. The images that lay behind are important natural landmarks of Aotearoa; Kapiti Island and Mount Tititea, representing Māori whenua that existed long before the arrival of colonials. The text on top represents aspects of Te Ao Māori that have been affected by colonisation as well as aspects that we as inhabitants of Aotearoa can help to reindigenise.
‘Seven Generations’ refers to over seven generations of Māori that have been affected by colonising forces in Aotearoa since 1769 when Captain James Cook arrived in Poverty Bay. Through land alienation, economic impoverishment, mass settler immigration, warfare, cultural marginalisation, forced social change and multi-level hegemonic racism, Māori culture, economies, populations and rights have been diminished and degraded over more than seven generations.
‘Seven Generations’ also refers to future generational equity. In my research, I learnt about the Seventh Generation Principle which is based on an ancient Haudenosaunee (among the six Native American Nations) philosophy that the decisions we make today will result in a sustainable world if we take into account the interests of seven generations into the future. A philosophy of long-term thinking about the balance of nature and culture, and the responsibilities of current generations.