Land of the Long White Cloudby Miranda SheaThe end of the Fall 2017 semester for the Junior class wa

Land of the Long White Cloudby Miranda SheaThe end of the Fall 2017 semester for the Junior class was spent in New Zealand. An action-packed final two weeks, we road tripped across the two islands all the way from Christchurch up to Auckland. We landed on the southern island, beginning our journey in Christchurch. Here we had our introduction to the history of the country, visited the local historical museum, and explored the city. Just as soon as we arrived, we left. Driving through miles of impressively tall mountains and deep-cut valleys we came to Arthur’s Pass, a national park in the Canterbury region of the south island. The drive through the countryside was nothing short of spectacular. The massive snow-capped mountains jutted up from icy streams, bordered on all sides by fields of purple flowers and yellow heather. Arriving at our destination, a mountain in the heart of the park, we began our journey to the top. Struggling up the gravelly, extraordinarily steep mountainside, we were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the velvety green slopes that faded into stony tops, the summer sun not strong enough to melt the snow off them. We drank from their ice-cold run-off, quenching our thirst after the dusty, scorching climb. It was a reverent moment. We were in awe of the world. Our journey continued the next day when we journeyed to Lake Rotoiti in Nelson National Park. Here, we presented one of our final projects we had prepared in groups categorized by element: earth, fire, and water. Informative and entertaining, each group explored their element using creative means and storytelling. Being so involved with the elements, and in the view of the intensely beautiful lake, was a grounding and beautiful moment of connection—with each other and with the world around us.A moment in Greymouth, a moment in Nelson, and then a ferry to the port of Wellington—we had made it to the North Island. We visited the national Te Papa (which roughly translated means treasure chest). Here is where we began our introduction to the Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. The story of the Maori runs roughly parallel to that of the Aboriginal people of Australia. The European colonizers suppressed the traditional customs, and it has been hard work to find reparations. What is so impressive about the state of New Zealand today, is how far they have come in the inclusion and celebration of native culture. Maori culture is incorporated into sports and schools, and more and more land is reclaimed and traditions strengthened. The work the country has is far from over, but in comparison to other nations who have struggled with Native People’s rights; we learned that New Zealand is certainly moving in the right direction.To further our understanding of what really constitutes Maori culture, we stayed in a “marae” (house, a meeting ground, a place of food and shelter, a communal space) on the banks of the infamous Whanganui River. This river was granted personhood in 1999, after a long legal battle, with the outcome weighing in the river’s favor. We had read about this unique case weeks ago when we had discussed nature jurisprudence, finding out that the river had been granted personhood. It wasn’t until our experience on the river, and hearing from the Maori custodians about their philosophies, that I began to understand a little better what this legislation truly meant. The status of seeing the river as human, and being embodied by human traits was demystified as we talked with our guides whilst canoeing down the river. We are made of water, as we are made of made of many other elements. We must protect, that which is our own, and of us, our guides said to us. “The spirit yearns, the spirit sighs,” our host, a man named Jeff said. He explained that their purpose is to support and protect that which does the same for them. The river began to actually connect with us on an individual level, rather than just having written context, adding an entirely new level of meaning and understanding.Saying goodbye to those who had fed us, gave us shelter, sang their songs and showed us their traditions was not an easy task. In order to enter a “marae”, one must complete a series of ritual steps, and one must do the same when leaving. The ritual greeting, called the “hongi” is performed, where two people touch nose and forehead together—a highly symbolic and intimate act. As we said our goodbyes and did this ritual, which is what is considered sharing the breath of life, they wished us well and asked that “our canoes may paddle straight” on to our next journey. It is a true blessing to be able to experience a culture first hand, rather than from simply books, museums, or films. Learning within and from a culture is a truly invaluable experience and one that will not be readily forgotten. -- source link

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