Kiwiland offers a taste of the exotic

Page 7

FIRST PERSON

Another adventure has begun!

Very little time is given to me to write to you, so I will simply write how I feel and what has happened in the past few days.

From Western Canada, point yourself to the southwest, take a deep breath, and take a giant quantum leap in space and time. Go past the Cook Islands and straight on until you see what looks like a fish, canoe, and an anchor nestled together in the South Pacific. Down under, you'll get a genuine taste of what good "old fashioned" manners were really like 30 years ago, and beautiful scenery to boot. This is New Zealand, home of the loving Maori people.

I arrived here in February, having left Calgary in early morning two days earlier. Depending on the way you look at it, "Kiwiland" is either five hours behind - going westward across the Pacific (yet one day ahead), or 19 hours ahead following the eastern skies (and still one date in front). From my perspective, you will come to realize this place is strange.

Folks drive on the wrong side of the road (that's my view of course). They have weird sayings like "spot on!", or "good on ya!" And should someone, in typical Kiwi fashion, come up to you with a smile on their face asking if you'd like to come to a "Huey", don't run off scared, you've been cordially invited to a friendly get together.

Even some of the animals look...well, just plain strange.

To sum it up, I love it!!

I am, not certain how many people showed up for the 1993 International Indigenous Spiritual Elders and Peoples conference. The sheer diversity was awesome. There were Hawaiians, Aborigines from Australia, North American Natives (I was pleased to meet Tom Crane Bear from the Siksika Nation in southern Alberta) as well as people from various parts of the world.

Amongst their goals, one important event that took place was the establishment of a Spiritual Elders Council, with global networks, that will actively promote world peace and harmony for all peoples of the planet. Seven elders were nominated into the circle; one Innu woman from Alaska, another from Mexico, Tom Crane Bear, a man from the Cree Nation in Quebec, a Hawaiian, a Tongan (from Tonga), and an Australian Aborigine.

What is planned for a gathering and what actually takes place can be two different things. Except for its title, I did not know anything about the conference prior to arriving there.

My general impression was of the same material I see in other circles. We stick to tightly confined schedules and timetables, concentrating mainly on political issues and topics. Emotions are rarely shown, and there is very little individual healing of past hurts and pains.

Luckily, since elders are so much in touch with themselves, this scene didn't occur too often. When workshops got a little over-complicated and spiritually blocking words like "compensation" got mixed in, this man simply rounded up youths and headed off to the river for a swim. Personally, I think many people within the parameters of world affairs need a good cry and to become like children again.

On the last evening, Diane Reid, Sam Gull and I decided to form a healing circle. Out of respect for the attending people, I will not say what was said. Deep, underlying emotions and buried pains were revealed - that's enough.

All in all, I loved it. I really did. Throughout New Zealand, the Maori have built many gathering places where both the young and old can meet to practice their faiths. These grounds are called "Marea" (pronounced Mah-rye). Virtually every community has one, and being invited is a great honor. The conference itself took place on "Manu Ariki" Marae near Taumarunui.

I suppose I will leave you for the month. Before I do, let me simply say that

New Zealand and it's people have all the best qualities that humankind could ever

wish for. They are friendly, compassionate and ever willing to put up an extra bunk to accommodate their visitors.

Likely, the next few issues will come from these parts of the orld. The country

is so saturated with beauty I just couldn't leave on the day my ticket said. I should stay awhile and get to experience this. Even way out in the boonies, I'm never alone. The three million human population county shares its space alongside 72,000,000 sheep, livestock and not to mention loads of colorful bird.

Until next time mates!