Maori Guests Present to CMN Campus

On Tuesday, April 9, Maori guests visited the College of Menominee Nation and gave a cultural presentation to a room full of CMN students, faculty, and area community members. Karl is a Fulbright Scholar touring the states right now with his family, sharing information and presentations about the Maori, the Polynesian indigenous people of New Zealand, whose culture is still an integral part of New Zealand life today. CMN was honored to welcome Karl Rangikawhiti LEONARD and his wife Ruihapounamu Louie RUWHIU to the CMN Keshena campus. “You make stories all the more richer,” said CMN Green Bay Campus Vice President Chad Waukeshon, “We’re so glad you’re here.”

SDI Director Chris Caldwell gave a short presentation about the history of Menominee forestry, Tribal government, CMN development and more. “The focus is always on Tribal needs,” said Chris, ”We reflect on history, then disseminate that into development on the tenants of sustainability—and how aspects of sustainability can be translated to all aspects of community. We make sure to consider the whole picture, not just part of the picture.”

Karl and Ruwhiu opened their presentation by singing a beautiful traditional song.

They then shared many stories about themselves and the Maori people. “It’s our pleasure and honor to be here,” said Karl, “It’s important for us to meet Indigenous people.”

Tourism dominates New Zealand revenue, but forestry is practiced as well;Karl related the Maori practice of forestry back to the Menominee. “The thought of a sustainable forest, we take from you,” said Karl, “No doubt we’ve taken some forestry knowledge off your people.” From the Central Northern island of New Zealand, the main tree is the Pinus Radiata, but Maori too honor the White Pine as sacred.

Karl and Ruwhiu shared stories about traditional Mauri gods and history. “In the beginning, there was nothing,” said Karl, “then became thought and growth.” In one story, the god Tane Mahuta, separated skyfather from mother earth. The importance of stories like this, noted Karl, is that everything is related. Genealogy is not just linear, it is horizontal. “The earth and trees-for us, everything in genealogy is connected in rocks, waterways…knowing that all is connected,” said Karl.

Because European contact came relatively late, many Maori traditional customs and culture have been maintained. “We develop things off Maori world view,” said Karl. Ruwhiu explained how many Maori traditions and stories are embedded in the language. “The depth of understanding is through our language,” said Ruwhiu. “In an indigenous worldview, you can relate

to our history with our language. There, it is easier to understand. It really means we came from nothing. It really conveys our relationship to one another—children, gods, how we are to behave and interact with one another.”
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Many stories about the god of the forest and others are recorded in ancient chants. Karl shared another Maori legend and picked up his son in the demonstration. The legend included a mother who gave birth, saw a still-born son, wrapped his head in her hair and sent him out to sea. Later, the boy was brought to life and returned to his mother asking,

“Have you forgotten?” said Leonard as he told the legend in the voice of the boy, “I am your son, my grandfather raised me.”

Ruwhiu talked about the different Maori tribes and individual and tribal identity. “Various tribes have different stories, but we agree to disagree,” said Ruwhiu, “This is what it is for us. Symbols identify the land and people-not a name. What is of importance is the name of connecting you where

you are from.” Karl added information about Maori carvings. “A status symbol of traditional times was carvings,” said Karl, “Carved pieces showed lineage. For a certain group say, their tribe was a mountain, they’d carve people with peaky heads. Mountains was their symbol of strength and power.”

Karl and Ruwhiu talked about tribal history and shared how their people were agriculturalists and planted sweet potato. The Maori were reading and writing in the 1800s and some Maori traveled overseas to get a printing press; many Maori newspapers were printed and distributed across New Zealand during that time. However, many cultural practices have declined over the years. “Like many,” noted Karl, “our people were devastated by disease which was the turning point for our language and a further decline in the 1950s after WWII.”

Karl shared that he didn’t know it growing up, but he was very fortunate to be raised by elders who practiced traditional ways. “Carving, weaving, and arts I grew up around,” said Karl, “It wasn’t until my twenties that I realized how lucky I was.” Karl then got up onto a chair and showed attendants his tribal tattoos. “If you can endure that amount of pain, you can endure anything,” smiled Karl, “but at the end of the day, it’s all about vanity. It’s a sign of beauty.” Ruwhiu added that a lot of community discussion went into deciding if tribal tattoos should be worn today. “Elders and people had discussion over tattooing,” said Ruwhiu, “It has a lot to do with identity and value. A lot of ceremonies were put to sleep.”

After the presentation, Karl and Ruwhiu fielded questions from attendees on climate change, marriage, and more. After a question about popular internet photos featuring the Maori people with protruded tongues, Karl and his sons treated attendees to a final war dance presentation.

Maec-waewaenon to Karl and Ruqhiu and their family for the exceptional presentation. SDI also thanks Paula and Wade Fernandez for facilitating their visit to the College of Menominee Nation.