30 Oct Insights, Stories, and Connection at the Indigenous Well-Being Conference 2024
The Indigenous Well-being Conference held on 20-23 October in Tāmaki Makaurau was an enriching event. Beginning with a pōwhiri at Tāmaki Makaurau Marae at Ihumātao, we were welcomed by mana whenua of Te Ahiwaru. This was followed by a hīkoi around Ōtuataua Pā where participants learnt about the whakapapa and significance to Te Ahiwaru. These moments of connection to the land and people set the tone for a conference centred on indigenous knowledge and well-being.
The conference opened with a thought-provoking keynote by Dr. Diana and Mark Kopua, who shared their mahi on activating indigenous systems to support well-being. Their insights on kaupapa Māori approaches to mental health and healing were the highlight, showing how the revitalisation of our traditional knowledge systems can have a profound impact on health.
Day one also featured our first Toi Tangata kaimahi presentation by Chrissy Hilton on ‘Mātaiao‘ and indigenous ways of learning. She highlighted the wānanga and mahi the Mātaiao team have done over the year with kura in Tāmaki Makaurau. Another memorable presentation came from Qiana Mata-Sipu who closed the day with her kōrero about her book NUKU, a collection of stories of 100 indigenous women. Qiana spoke passionately about how storytelling has become a tool for healing intergenerational trauma and the potential of sharing our lived experiences.
Day two began with powerful keynotes, including a presentation by Tiana Watkins who spoke about culturally responsive approaches to suicide prevention. Her focus on creating spaces of safety for rangatahi Māori was resonating. Dr. Karlo Mila also delivered a standout presentation, sharing her work on Mana Moana and ancestral intelligence. Her message of reconnecting to our indigenous wisdom and spiritual practices was a fitting extension of healing and indigenous empowerment.
Koianake Sharples, another Toi Tangata kaimahi, gave an engaging presentation on Te Whare Tū Taua o Aotearoa, sharing the history and foundations of this incredible kaupapa and how it has grown into what it is today. His kōrero highlighted the connection between intergeneration knowledge transmission, cultural knowledge, and well-being.
I was privileged to present on Growing the Puna, a Toi Tangata internship kaupapa that aims to create opportunities and pathways for tauira Māori in Hauora Māori. I shared the foundation laid by former kaimahi Callie Corigan, who saw the potential in our tauira and established this programme to fill a gap in Māori health. I also showcased success stories from our interns, many of whom have gone on to contribute significantly to their communities. The presentation emphasised how Toi Tangata continues to nurture and grow the next generation of leaders in this space.
Overall, the conference was an exceptional display of indigenous well-being through an indigenous lens. It was a testament to the strength, resilience, and power of our mātauranga Māori. A big mihi to the committee team who put this conference together. Their efforts created a space where our indigenous knowledge systems were honoured and celebrated.
Chelsea Cunningham-McLean
Raised in Heretaunga, Chelsea is passionate about sport and physical activity. She is a former Growing the Puna intern.