Building just relationships: Examples of indigenous and non-indigenous engagement

Efforts to build just relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous groups have been made in many settings around the world, using cultural and political decolonisation processes. The nature and quality of these relationship-building efforts are now being studied from different cultural and academic perspectives. In this symposium we plan to share the viewpoints of a Maori social/clinical psychologist, a Pakeha community psychologist and a Pakeha community development worker/adult educator. Speaking from our own cultural standpoint, each of us has looked at aspects of how Maori and Pakeha, indigenous and non-indigenous groups, respond to each other in processes of reconciliation, dialogue and activist alliance. Our studies cover a range of settings from regional to national and international. We will look at the place of forgiveness in reconciliation processes from a Maori viewpoint in a particular rohe with a history of colonial conflict (Arama Rata), at processes of Pakeha preparation for dialogue with Maori about the Treaty of Waitangi, based on a national Pakeha/Tauiwi consultation (Ingrid Huygens), and at how non-indigenous people may act as allies to indigenous aspirations, from the viewpoint of a Pakeha Tiriti activist learning from experiences in Canada (Jen Margaret). We will conclude by facilitating a discussion with the audience about strategies for engaging non-indigenous and indigenous people in building relationships that acknowledge past conflicts and look to peaceful, mutually agreed relationships in the future