Edie Balme
Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Latin America, Indigenous Rights & Histories in Brazil
Introduction
Ngā mihi nunui! My name is Edie Balme, and I am a 22-year-old Master’s student studying at the University of Auckland. I whakapapa to Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāti Tama in the land of Taranaki, where my maternal side of my family still resides today. On my father’s side, I am Pākehā.
My bi-cultural upbringing has impacted how I have navigated my life and informed my decisions. Learning both English and Te Reo Māori and being educated and working in both Western and Indigenous environments have led me to my current pursuit of a Master of Indigenous Studies.
Through this degree, I hope to research how bi-cultural Indigenous people, such as myself, can fully express their Indigeneity without having to compromise any part of their identity. My expertise lies within British-colonised Indigenous peoples, which is why the PMSLA Brazil experience stood out to me.
I hope to broaden and deepen my understanding of Indigenous peoples outside of a British-colonised context. I hope to learn more about the Indigenous and bi-cultural experience in Brazil and potentially relate similarities of their experiences to those here in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
-
A Waitangi Day ‘Celebration’
When I told people I was going to Brazil for an exchange, I heard a lot of the following: “Please be careful” “Try don’t get shot!” “Make sure you hold on to all of your valuables as close as you can!” “Are you sure you want to go? It’s very dangerous there.” Despite all the…Continue Reading A Waitangi Day ‘Celebration’
-
Sensations of Brazil – First Impressions
The air is thick here. Thick with heat recoiling off of the looming buildings of the city. As I gaze out of the balcony on the eleventh floor, my eyes are met with buildings forever. They slowly fade into a muddled grey and meet a faux horizon somewhere in the distance – and I feel…Continue Reading Sensations of Brazil – First Impressions