Ngāpuhi descendant speaks at Indigenous Design Symposium in Canada

I can’t express how thankful I am to have been able to receive the discretionary funding. I am absolutely humbled by the support from my iwi. What means more to me is the fact that you have been able to see the potential that I have to really instigate change and serve our community. I was blessed to be able to have the opportunity from 19 May to 5 June 2017 to travel with Ngā Aho and Te Matapihi to Canada and USA. This included an Indigenous Housing Tour and The RAIC Festival of Architecture conference – Indigenous Design Symposium.

To have the opportunity to speak at this symposium was one of the most amazing experiences in my life thus far. Being able to whakapapa back to Ngāpuhi on an international stage first and foremost has grounded me both physically and spiritually. I would not have been half way around the world to share my knowledge without your support.

The funding that the Rūnanga has invested in me has highly contributed to my personal development as a young Māori woman and leader. I will continue to share my experiences and knowledge with other young leaders as I serve the next term as an Auckland Youth Advisory Panel member for Papakura and complete my honours degree in Landscape Architecture.

Ngā mihi

Jacqueline Paul

[Published in E Mara E Pānui 22 June 2017]