Language Culture and Curriculum
Editor and Book Reviews Editor: Eoghan Mac Aogain (St Patrick's College)
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Volume: 11 Number: 3 Page: 297–308
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Emancipatory Maori Education: Speaking from the Heart
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Arohia Durie
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As Maori, the indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand, take back responsibility and control over the provision of education for Maori, efforts are entering an exciting phase. The empowering potential
of recent community initiatives, in conjunction with the re-emergence of tribal and urban Maori authorities, have established an infrastructure well positioned to facilitate progressive educational provision
for Maori. Once formal education is conceived of as an empowering rather than a subordinating process, an important barrier to success will be overcome. Central to that conception is the promotion of the
Maori language as a medium of instruction, together with issues of control, negotiation and a continued expansion of Maori models of teaching and learning. A greater adaptation of generic (western) models
towards appropriate accommodation of the educational needs of Maori learners is a further dimension. The initiatives taken by one tribal authority are examined against the role taken by similar authorities
in educational planning and provision. Language revitalisation is seen to be integral to a strong cultural identity and enhanced well-being.
© Multilingual Matters 1998
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