Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality Education
In 2020, Aotearoa New 厙ぴ勛圖filmmaker Taika Waititi (Te Whanau--Apanui) won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film泭Jojo Rabbit. In accepting the award, Waititi dedicated it to Indigenous children around the world telling them: we are the original storytellers.
Its a worldview shared by 厙ぴ勛圖 (UC) academics泭泭(Ngti Paoa, Tainui) who is Deputy Head of泭, and泭泭(Te Aupuri, Te Rarawa, Ngpuhi), a Lecturer in the泭Faculty of Arts, and the basis for two new courses the pair created for debut in 2023.
啦堯梗泭Indigenous Narrative泭minor gives konga an understanding of the approaches to Mori and Pasifika storytelling in digital forms, while the泭Certificate in Indigenous Narrative泭is a standalone qualification, ideal for those in the creative media industries interested in improved representation of Mori, Pasifika and other Indigenous cultures in their work.
The fundamental principle of both courses is to foster and cultivate the use of Mori and Pasifika storytelling across different domains and industries in Aotearoa New Zealand, Kahi says.
Our degree will enable students to develop their understanding of where our stories come from. Having to collaborate, be the representative, the storyteller for our communities comes with responsibilities and obligations, he says.
Its a chance to reflect on and celebrate whats come before, and inspire what comes next, Dr Dunn explains.
Its a real push to elevate and celebrate our own storytelling while also casting a critical eye on representations of us, she says.
The minor is the only focused specialisation on Indigenous narratives in Aotearoa New 厙ぴ勛圖and despite being specially designed to accompany UCs new泭Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours泭(BDigiScreen)泭 the first curriculum available under the Universitys泭Digital Screen Campus泭programme泭 the minor can be aligned to any degree offering available from the Universitys seven faculties.
As a catalyst to both inform and educate, the cross-disciplinary aspects of the courses introduce valuable opportunities for relationship building within different academic fields and faculties at UC as well as outside of the University.
I feel like its part of a wider movement and its necessary, Dr Dunn says of the new programme. Its going to be a really cool demonstration of the products of relationships and collaboration.
There are clear examples in recent history where narrative is really important, Kahi says, highlighting the case of New 厙ぴ勛圖broadcaster, Oriini Kaipara, who has spoken publicly about her moko kauae following her appointment to presenting TVNZs泭One News.
The way we give our narrative, our stories about who we are, is going to complement any degree programme.
To support students completing the Indigenous Narrative minor, UC have established Te Whare P贖rkau, an academy offering annual scholarships to Mori and Pasifika/Pacific students and other Indigenous students, to gain mentorship and leverage from classes and wnanga with industry experts.
Were anticipating doing fun things, doing serious things, but spending time in wnanga with students on this kaupapa, from their first year, is really exciting, Kahi says.
Enrolments for 2023 are open now.
