Cleo Lewis - Witehira

Kia Ora, Ko Cleo toku Ingoa.

for the past year, I have been studying a Teaching Degree, He Korowai Akonga, at Te Wananga O Aotearoa. For 5 years prior, I was a stay at home Mum, to my now, 6 year old Tane.

I grew up in a family that was not privileged to being allowed to speak Te Reo Maori, and within one generation Our now next 4 generations don't know any Reo. This wears heavy on my heart.

Its important to me to raise my son knowing exactly who he is and where he comes from, and with that, I put him into Kura Kaupapa as soon as he turned 5, and also Put myself in Kura at Te Wananga O Aotearoa.

My passion for helping implement a Maori World View into children's lives runs as if a deep responsibility and privilege that it is even an opportunity to do so now.

I carry this not as a burden, but as an example of reclaimation for my tupuna who missed out.

For my tupuna who were not allowed to be Maori, and had to succumb to other ways of existing that compromised every aspect of their livelihoods.

Nga Mihi

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