October 21, 2020
Culture first step for rehabilitation
A former inmate who teaches a tikanga programme at Otago Corrections Facility has received a Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Award for his mahi.
The judging panel says Rue-Jade Morgan epitomises the qualities of Māui by sharing his life experience and self-awareness through his Te Hōkai Manea Tīpuna programme.
The eight-week programme includes Māori weaponry and martial arts such as mau rākau, mau patu and tī rākau as well as kapa haka, waiata and whaikōrero.
He says the goal is to inspire the mostly Māori participants to make positives changes in their lives, and help them to understand who they are and where they come from.
Mr Morgan says it is a right of all people, not a privilege, to have access to culture.
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