Uku Artist, Noelle Jakeman (Ngāti Hine, Ngapuhi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui) reflects on the role the arts will play in shaping the future
I believe that the continued reclamation and rejuvenation of our customary practices through our Māori arts can offer solutions. Not only to improve our poor Māori health stats but also for the general public reliant on a struggling health system by offering more effective kaupapa māori approaches to whānau-centred care.
Most are already aware of the health benefits with creative pursuits and for myself, my Māori uku arts practice has been a constant in my life for over 30 years, since I was first introduced to working with uku as an art student.
I’ve recognised that during difficult times - usually when it’s been health or whānau related and especially following the loss of so many close whānau members who have passed far too soon (sadly often the result of the inequities of our health system) - I have always turned to my uku practice to help me process and be at peace, much like meditation.
To explore this further, I’ve recently been working with our Māori midwives and Māori health providers to create and further develop our customary ipu whenua (placenta burial pots), which can also be very therapeutic - I'm keen to share these uku skills and knowledge with whānau Māori.
From that first contact of uku in your hands, you become instantly grounded and connected to the whenua - being in that creative mindset keeps you present and focused. Working with uku in a kaupapa Māori context, and in particular creating ipu whenua, also reminds us of our connection to the whenua, our tupuna, papatuanuku and our whakapapa. This, in turn, helps us to also acknowledge the importance of being tangata whenua and our kaitiakitanga to our whenua, te taiao and iwi/whānau.
Through the customary practice of wānanga to learn, participants are welcomed into a supportive community where they experience manaakitanga, whakawhanaungatanga, karakia, pepeha, korero, tikanga, kawa etc. This fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of our kaupapa Māori approach to working with uku and ensuring the preservation of our customary Māori arts for future generations.
All key components that can help improve our hauora for Māori and something I hope might also be effective to help whānau struggling with trauma, mental health and addictions too.
