Kurt Macalister
Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin America, Indigenous Rights & Histories in Brazil
Introduction
Ko Pirongia-o-Te Aroaro-ō-Kahu toku Maunga
Ko Kawhia Moana toku Moana
Ko Tainui toku Waka
Ko Ngāti Hikairo toku Iwi
Ko Waipapa toku Marae
No Tauranga Moana ināianei
Ko Wendel toku Papa
Ko Bernie toku Mama
Ko Megan toku Tuahine
Ko Samantha toku Wāhine
Ko Kurt Macalister ahau
I am studying a Bachelor of Teaching in Early Childhood Education at the University of Waikato’s Tauranga campus.
I applied and am grateful to have been accepted for the PMSLA 2023: Indigenous History & Rights in Brazil programme because I believe it is important for Kaiako to have a broad understanding of other cultures, as well as their own. The programme is an incredible opportunity for cross-cultural sharing. I also have a background working in the disability sector, and as an English language teacher, so I felt that through my experience and studies, I could contribute to the programme’s intentions.
I am very much looking forward to this adventure and learning about Brazil and its people, indigenous communities, history, culture, customs and way of life. As well as sharing about Aotearoa New Zealand and Te Ao Māori. I am excited to work with an incredible group of people and am enthusiastic about creating new connections through this mahi.
I am particularly interested in how early childhood education is approached in Brazil and sharing about how we do this in Aotearoa. I am also looking forward to resuming my studies in 2023 with newfound knowledge from the programme to share with the University and my own community.
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Brazil – We did that!
Having returned from the most amazing time in Brazil I have been reflecting on all the valuable experiences. In doing this I have been reflecting through a hauora lens and utilizing Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model as a framework. It has reiterated that I felt a good balance of synergy between each…Continue…
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To be in Brazil is to begin to understand Brazil.
As I discover more of Brazil, I have been learning of the complex challenges the country has faced and continues to. Through visits to Indigenous communities, a Quilombo community, the Landless Workers Movement and the Center for Indigenous Work, as well as the NGO GAIALATO, we have been welcomed by lovely people with open hearts…Continue…
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First impressions of Brazil
Ola from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Embarking on the Prime Minister’s Scholarship to Latin America for Indigenous culture and history in Brazil has been an exciting experience. Arriving in Sao Paulo after two long haul flights, which included a stopover in Houston, Texas, USA we were greeted by our coordinator Talita and made our way into…Continue…