Australia's journey towards inclusivity and reconciliation, marked by efforts such as First Nations recognition in the Constitution and The Voice to Parliament, must also encompass the critical aspect of recognising and respecting First Nations spirituality.
2 Auē by Becky Manawatu (Mākaro Press, $35)
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Imagining Decolonisation by Rebecca Kiddle, Bianca Elkington, Moana Jackson, Ocean Ripeka Mercier, Mike Ross, Jennie Smeaton and Amanda Thomas (BWB, $15)
4
Aroha: Māori wisdom for a contented life lived in harmony with our planet by Dr Hinemoa Elder (Penguin, $30)
“Some people mistake our customs as placing women in a secondary role. This is not the case. Women as the ‘whare tangata’, the house of people, the source of future generations, are revered in our culture. Practices where women sit behind men do not denigrate women. We are seen as extraordinarily precious, to be protected from harm. Our voices are the first voices heard on our marae. Our karanga into the spiritual realm, between women from the home people and the visiting group, sets the scene for the discussions … ”