![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/blogs.otago.ac.nz\/tetumuresearch\/files\/2014\/08\/sam.png\")
<\/a>Sam Jackson<\/p><\/div>\n
Samantha Jackson<\/strong><\/span>, “Ko Te Houhanga a Rongo marae t\u014dku t\u016brangawaewae: In search of a philosophical standing place for indigenous development”, (MA Indigenous Development).<\/p>\n Supervisors<\/em><\/span>: Professor Grant Gillett, Associate Professor Merata Kawharu, Dr. Paerau Warbrick<\/p>\n Abstract<\/em><\/span>: Dominant paradigms of development assume a linear progression from one established point to another. These paradigms do not take into account the complexity of indigenous voice, spirit and ways of being-in-the-world, leaving indigenous peoples without a meaningful place to stand. To approach the question of indigenous development in such a straight forward manner is a methodological error which stands to obscure meaningful indigenous development and silence the indigenous spirit.<\/p>\n In order to appropriately investigate the question of indigenous development, I argue we must awaken ourselves to our assumptions which form the background of how we view and understand ourselves, the world and others. I draw on Martin Heidegger\u2019s interrogation of Cartesian thought to provide a space through which indigenous development can be meaningfully approached from a tangata whenua (M\u0101ori, people of the land) philosophical perspective.<\/p>\n I utilise the traditions and teachings of Reverend M\u0101ori Marsden to posit a meaningful model of indigenous development must be rooted in Te Ao M\u0101rama traditions (M\u0101ori worldview), a woven universe of connection between self, ancestors, universe and gods. This idea is mooted in an international indigenous context, before returning to the traditions pertaining to Te Houhanga a Rongo marae (M\u0101ori cultural complex), my own t\u016brangawaewae (place to stand). I argue marae are a manifestation of Te Ao M\u0101rama worldview and therefore an appropriate site to investigate indigenous development. I utilise whakapapa (genealogy) and k\u014drero p\u016br\u0101kau (stories of origin) as important mechanisms through which one can come to understand and organise the relationship between a person, their world and their gods. Maintaining an intimate relationship within the woven universe validates a person\u2019s t\u016brangawaewae giving them the \u2018sureness of touch\u2019 of a person firmly rooted in belonging with unlimited potential for human development.<\/p>\n