Session 3

The audio is a recording of a session at the C. L. I. T Fest Wellington 2013, with an emphasis on exploring Takatāpui, Pasifika, and perspectives beyond queer theory. The event occurred at the Wellington Irish Society Hall on June 1st, 2013 and featured discussions led by Kim Mcbreen and Maihi Makiha, covering topics related to the experiences of indigenous communities through the lens of the 2010s. The session aimed to question the direct translation of Western LGBTQ+ terminology into the context of indigenous cultures, noting that terms such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and asexual carry different connotations and historical baggage in English.

The recording captures the speakers' introductions, deep reverence for ancestral lineage, cultural norms, and landscapes. One speaker alludes to their work in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention within Māori communities and discusses the importance of this work in light of personal experiences with stigma and discrimination within their own family. This work is also part of a larger effort to facilitate community gatherings where individuals can express themselves in safe, supportive environments, sharing and honoring their identity without reservation.

Furthermore, the discussion navigates the impacts of colonisation on indigenous knowledge and the understanding of cultural practices and traditions, notably in relation to gender and sexuality. Emphasis is placed on the continuity of indigenous knowledge, the impact of Western cultural imperialism, and the importance of upholding indigenous philosophies and intellectual traditions, thus allowing cultures to develop beyond the limitations imposed by colonisation. Some speakers reflected on the need for critical examination of creation stories and customary lore to uncover more nuanced understandings of gender and sexuality in pre-colonial times.

The session also addresses the connotations of being designated "Maori" as an identity label both outside and within New Zealand, the need for indigenous narratives to be prioritized, and the encouragement of personal quests to rediscover indigenous roots and teachings. Participants were invited to consider the values of their cultural traditions and to contribute to the empowerment of indigenous communities.

Throughout the session, interconnected themes of health, support, Maatauranga (knowledge), identity, and representation were discussed. Personal narratives often intertwined with broader socio-cultural critiques, illustrating the complex nature of individual and collective identity against a backdrop of history and politics.

Key Takeaways: 1 - The significance of decolonizing and re-establishing indigenous perspectives on sexuality and gender. 2 - The role of language in shaping identity and the limitations of transposing Western LGBTQ+ terms onto indigenous experiences. 3 - The impact of colonisation on the understanding of cultural practices and the necessity of reclaiming indigenous knowledge and lore. 4 - The personal accounts reflecting the challenges and triumphs experienced within the speakers' communities, especially concerning health and the revitalization of identity.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Kim Mcbreen Maihi Makiha

2010s, aotearoa new zealand, c.l.i.t fest wellington 2013, church, colonisation, fa'afafine, gender identity, health, heteronormativity, history, hiv / aids, hui takatāpui, identity, indigenous peoples, kim mcbreen, language, maatauranga continuum, maihi makiha, māori, new zealand aids foundation (nzaf), queer, queer straight alliance (qsa), religion, representation, sexuality, support, takatāpui, tangata whenua, tau iwi, tīwhanawhana, wellington, wellington irish society hall, whakapapa, whānau

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