REPATRIATION: THE MĀORI PERSPECTIVE

[Kiwi Frontline]

REPATRIATION: THE MĀORI PERSPECTIVE

Ms Aranui is completing her Doctorate in Māori Studies on what repatriation—the act of returning something to its homeland or origin—means to Māori communities and iwi. This includes how repatriated remains from international museums should be treated when returned to New Zealand.

“I started out by saying: ‘From a Māori perspective, our ancestors were stolen.’ There were a few shocked faces in the audience. I wanted them to understand the way Māori view the history of collecting in New Zealand.

“I also spoke about how important the dead are to the living in Māori culture, .....

www.victoria.ac.nz/news/2016/08/repatriation-the-maori-perspective

[second-class-citizen]

I think this woman needs a basic history lesson.

Were these remains a treasure when still alive and being clubbed to death and eaten? Were they a still a treasure when they were swapped for some European knives or guns or whatever? Suddenly they are treasures and I guess it will be her job to travel the world at taxpayer expense, visiting museums and deciding what she wants.

I hear that the North American Indians  have come up with a new phrase to describe someone who gives something and then wants it back....."Maori giver" !!