Indigenous group in recovery

[DrkniteNZ]

Kia ora (Hello)

I recently had a discussion regarding traditional practices and cultural beliefs that for some, have created conflict within themselves when trying to reconnect with their origins and other conflicts.

Here in Aotearoa (New Zealand) us indigenous people of the land, through Colonization have become disassociated from our origins and also has caused identity concerns as we have had our language stripped through this process. Our grandparents were punished in schools for speaking our language so in today’s generation, some of us can not even speak a sentence and some… dont even want to be Maori.

This I believe has had a major influence on my choices in life and further complimenting my decision to use substances. How? I have never felt accepted in my own culture (couldn’t understand our language) and never fot in a western culture (cause I was brown and fit a particular stereotypes) I was outcasted and consequences at schools for my behaviours… but teachers never knew the abuse and dysfunction I was experiencing at home or internally. Punished for this I felt that I only belong with others like me. The difficult ones as such. Yet I felt more apart of something then in my own family being around other trouble teens.

The dysfunction i refer to is intergenerational. Violence, substance abuse etc. Both parents never spoke Maori and they were beaten as children My grandparents were violent and they also were excessive alcoholics and were conditioned to a western worldview.

Alcohol was introduced to our people when British sailors would barter for things. But they often bartered with our warriors who weren’t the sharpest cookies, and not with the chiefs. Hence some of the conflicts around land, but nevertheless. . Colonization is a process and the British are great at it. You know I remember watch 300 the spartan movie. To create a great warrior to treat him like shit. Emotionless, and full of pain. Give him alcohol for the first time and I could only imagine the relief. I believe my people are in some ways still creating warriors and alcohol or drugs is our relief.

No malice or hate directed to the British. They achieve a goal and we as people we become divided and land taken long story short. This is a short history lesson but something I knew nothing of when in my addiction.
Our people are fighting to regain the acknowledgment we feel is overdue and not revenge. But the trauma of this I share has a big part to play in our ongoing dysfunction today amongst or communities.

We over populate the jails, health sector and mental health service. Highest rate in suicide in the world per capita. Addiction is normalized and abuse is minimised. I entered recovery 2011 and have found d myself and my connection to my origins. This has helped me immensely regaining my identity and learning of my traumas and intergenerational traumas.
This is in no way a hate speech. I feel.maybe others may have complexities around their addiction such as mine.

This is open to any indigenous people who want to share your thoughts about anything or for others who would like to understand.

Mauri ora e te whanau katoa

[aircircle]

I am not indigenous, but I’m glad you have raised this topic. Where I live in the USA, alcoholism is sadly rampant amongst the indigenous population here. As you note, there are a lot of complex factors playing into it. Thank you but the topic and perspective.

[ifs]

I just wanted to thank you for posting this, it’s something I want to understand more about, as a non-indigenous person.

[TheJK]

Hey @DrkniteNZ, great topic.

I’m Jewish, and I’m American, so in many ways I know the same struggle of identity and suppression you expressed. Not the same in terms of British imperial repression, but very similar fights throughout our history. I had a fantastic conversation with a Mohawk man last June about how difficult it is to describe to some western people how important a sense of place is or a people’s belonging to a land.

In Jewish history, we were expelled several times from our home by different dominant empires or governments, whether killed or enslaved or forced out as a means of self-preservation. It’s a big discussion in our culture today how we have maintained our traditions and our heritage. American Jews call it “living in the Diaspora” or basically living everywhere but our home. It’s caused many households that have one Jewish parent to ignore their heritage and raise their kids as Americans or Christians, which further buries our culture in the assimilation into the nation we live in.

I think its a big question: assimilation or alienation. Do we bury our traditions and heritage in the practices and norms of the dominent group, or do we risk attracting violence and hate from those who see us openly be who we are? People seem to be talking about “American antisemitism” a lot these days but the reality is Jews around the world, especially in West Europe have been dealing with this type of threat for decades.

We achieved our millenia old aspiration to return to our home in Israel, and it’s a remarkable place to visit. I’ve never so quickly felt the burden and strength beneath my feet, of my ancestors struggles to remain who they were despite the many efforts to wipe us off the earth. Today I feel like I don’t get a pass to relax or do the least. I have to push myself to do the absolute most I can achieve, to live the best life, because of how many of my ancestors couldn’t. I think that’s why I can’t slack on my sobriety. Because I’m here, and they aren’t.

I know the Jewish people are usually thought of as a small bunch of religious people, but the truth of the matter is those of us who know our history and what it took for our people to stand here today have a deep and profound respect for Indigenous and minority peoples struggles across the board.

Can I ask, what do you feel is the best outcome for the Maori in New Zealand? Is it a central educational place where Maori can learn about their culture? Or maybe a different area for Maori to live a more honest life without feeling a need to hide their roots? Very curious about your thoughts.

[Yoda-Stevie]

I remember watching the movie “Once Were Warriors” when I lived overseas. What you have describe made me immediately remember this film.

Thanks for posting this. Culture can make breaking addiction difficult.

I’ve got a tiny amount of Native American blood, via my great grandmother (Micmac), but consider myself just a Boston Irish kid. We’ve got our own booze culture, and all the stereotypes that come with it.

Thanks

[no-longer-a-victim]

I’m British born and really sorry that my forefathers treated your people so bad taking land and introducing alcohol. It hurts to read of the punishment and suffering your family has endured from the hands of those who invaded your homeland.
I lived for about 20 years in South America and saw first hand how indigenous people have been attacked, neglected, exploited and generally oppressed in so many ways. In Northern Argentina the Anglican Church fought for decades to give dignity and identity to the indigenous groups in that area. In Chile, indigenous people (about 10% of the population) are still excluded from the Constitution!

I hope you continue to process and heal from these wounds and are able to help others find their true identity. I believe languages, culture, history and traditions are vital, and must be preserved and respected.
Peace to you and your people!

[DrkniteNZ]

Thanks for sharing @TheJK

Referencing to your questions which are on point I must say. The outcome best suited for us Maori has so many considerations. For us as a people… disconnection was a strategy enforced and achieved through many methods. We are the only indigenous peoples to have created a treaty between the crown as they could not fight us off our land. The treaty was written in 2 parts… one English and one in our tongue.
However the English version clearly shows discrepancies… we invited the English to share governance in 1840s and today… we have almost no representation in parliament and western worldviews are paramount. The wording was twisted so the crown could manipulate the documents in their favor. Win won the war but they are winning the battle as such.

My people today are trying to educate each other so our history is not lost. My opinion is that we can not move forward trying to get the crown to understand our version of the treaty, and to adhere to it as they are blatantly showing us that this document was built on lies. Yet some of us are still trying to get them to respect it?

We continue to fight for our land and are also seen as troubled or being difficult under the public eye. Media compliment the discrimination and brain wash even our own. To be heard… you must understand that we will be judged and made to be seen as violent or troubled people. They say we should get over it! Our land is being sold to outside investors, immigrants are given opportunity and my people can’t even get jobs. Our language beaten out of us and strapped if spoken in schools in the 70s. Now days the children of today can not understand or speak our own language.

We are the guardians of our land… we dont own it.
This is our beliefs and our way of living is tribal.
My ancestors were promised false hopes when we become oppressed. Jobs, new foods, education… but now that we have built their skyscrapers and elite homes. Price of living has increased and we are now being forced out of urban areas to rural, which…we are people who lived off the land. But this generation can not live this way and struggle with the thought of having no power which should never be.

Living, learning and going back to the core roots of how our ancestors lived… to me is the answer. Living of the land… going back to where my specific ancestral land is and connecting with it, nurturing it… is a way forward.
You see, I know now that if the world’s stock markets crash, or if we ever has a mass power crisis. I could still sustain my family’s needs. One day the western world will look to us indigenous for help in these areas I believe… and I myself do not like playing a game in a world who lack empathy or understanding.

I now work back in my tribal area and away from the city life. Educating my people on addiction, violence and other various labels outside of the western models of practice. Not through hateful eyes. Just to bring back our identity and to enhance their self dignity/integrity. So that our next generation will be well informed and incontrol of the futures… not oppressed spiritually and can fight for their independence as 1 people.

I dont know if I’ve just ranted for this whole time or even answerd your question to be honest. But I know that the people of this land are still fighting for acknowledgement. We will never move or be moved. Because we have a document we can raise… we are in a much better stance then many other indigenous people around the world. We dont want to be in power, but we dont want to be made inferior. I have many other suggestions on how I think this can be achieved but that is another long winded response.

I agree that other fellow indigenous people understand other minority groups. But my opinion is to not oppress your identity no matter the cost. Your ancestors fought for you to be here today and are still behind you today. To loose this is a tragedy on a massive scale.

Just to add… the English language we use (Linguistics) automatically puts us in a place of oppression. It comes from a place of power and the words do not and can not come close to translate my language.
Oops another tangent lol

Thanks for the interest JK

[Meggers]

I am very interested in this topic. I live in the US and, like @aircircle, the similarities to our indigenous people came to mind. My mother claims we have a bit of indigenous blood, but my mother had not been right in her head for a long time. That’s neither here not there. My father was raised near a reservation when growing up and has always piqued my interest. I have seen many documentaries about our indigenous people and sadly they mostly focus around addiction and abuse.

I have to run to work now, but I hope to see more out if this thread. The world needs education about the reality of this situation. @TheJK, thank you for your perspective as well. I live in Pittsburgh and have had a lot of experience with the Jewish community, so it’s very enlightening to hear your perspective.

Thank you both for helping me to learn today!

[SassyRocks]

Thank you so much for sharing your story and perspective with us. I so appreciate your willingness to share your experience here.

[DrkniteNZ]

Thanks @Meggers

I hope that others show more of an interest to this topic as it may provide greater awareness to abuse within the indigenous communities worldwide.

@Bootz you have a vast amount of knowledge in regards to your history which is a gift for many. Knowing your history for our people is how we progress… we look back to move forward. Thank you again for your sharing and knowledge.

[Meggers]

@Bootz, thanks for sharing tidbits of your history. I can’t explain why, but I’m very interested in this topic. Thank you all for sharing. Your experiences and knowledge help enlighten me.