Carried by Culture, Grounded by Whānau
A little reflection on our recent mahi and cultural exchange with the Cree whānau of Alberta, Canada. Nā Raewyn Klenner.
A year ago, I never would’ve pictured myself in Alberta, Canada, sitting with Cree elders and learning from First Nations people about their way of living with a focus on the autistic community. I went in unsure, even a bit resistant and it might sound cliché, but it became one of the most grounding and unforgettable experiences of my life.
Our trip to Canada was part of a research and cultural exchange involving kaimahi from Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, Alberta University and the Cree First Nations people.
The focus for us was our Te Pikau o Te Rangi programme, an iwi-led service that supports neurodivergent learners and their whānau. We had lots in common and much to learn from our indigenous whānau.
We were there to learn, to share, and to build relationships particularly, with the First Nations Cree people and Indigenous researchers doing powerful work around autism.
The trip was beautifully guided by our Te Herenga Waka whānau, Dr Jessica Tupou, her husband Naki and Fran Kewene, who navigated us around Edmonton and onto the reserves. I was especially grateful not to travel alone. I had my cousins, Patariki, Megan, Bianca, and Calisa with me. Growing up in the pā, you never go anywhere alone and that feeling carried across the world with us.
This was the first time I’d travelled beyond Australia. The scale of the land, the snow (yes even in summer!), and all the kōrero we heard was humbling. I got a bit emotional during our first lesson with one of the elders thinking, wow, we have so many cultural similarities and this person could literally be my aunty.
One of the most memorable experiences, was being part of the Sundance Festival, a sacred celebration and acknowledgement of the Creator. It involved four days of fasting, drumming, music, and karakia, from sunrise (5am) to sunset (10pm), in a makeshift hut on a reserve. People brought piles of colourful ribbons and small gifts, each one holding their hopes and aspirations. These were passed to the elders, and the ribbons tied to the rafters of the thatched hut, creating a colourful canopy overhead.
We only lasted a few hours, it was so cold, but just being there, without distractions or technology, reminded me of the value of being truly present. Something I know a lot of us struggle with, and maybe that’s the whole point.
Another highlight, came toward the end of our trip attending the film premiere of Grant’s documentary ‘They Are Sacred’, about his son and their whānau, who live with autism. It was so cool to see the people we’d met that week up on the big screen, the landscape, the community, all captured so beautifully.
Our hosts put together a full programme, including visits to schools, health centres, universities and even the chance to attend the end of year powwow.
We were privileged to sit in on support groups with whānau navigating the realities of raising tamāriki with autism, surrounded by a wonderful and selfless team.
What stayed with me most was seeing how autism is understood through an Indigenous lens, one that places culture and identity at the centre, and sees our tamariki as taonga with unique gifts for their whānau to discover and nurture.
Somewhere along the way, we became the cultural group and on a roll with our waiata. If you know me (and half the group), you'd know we’re not usually the first ones called up for waiata tautoko, but there we were!
There were also the quiet moments, long drives between destinations, lost in reflection on the land of another Indigenous nation.
We’re now looking forward to hosting our Cree whānau here in Aotearoa later this year, where we’ll manaaki them just as beautifully as they welcomed us. And this time, we’re hoping to treat them to waiata from the actual professionals.
I’m also excited to see how our Te Pikau o te Rangi space will be shaped by everything we learned.
A special mihi to my cousin’s, thanks for having me along on this haerenga.
Being far from home reminded me that identity travels with you and connection lives wherever there is culture, love and respect.