The restoring of Māori traditional knowledge of calendars and the application in a modern day context.

Rikki's expertise extends to the Maramataka Māori, which he not only practices in daily life with his whanau but also teaches at Turuki Healthcare, contributing significantly to the revival of this traditional knowledge nationwide.

Raised in Te Hauke under the guidance of his grandparents, particularly his grandfather Rutene (Charlie) Solomon, Rikki imbibed the practical wisdom of 'He Maramatanga Māori' and the Māori calendars, crucial for ancestral stewardship of 'te taiao' (the environment).

Tuia ki te rangi, tuia ki te whenua, tuia ki te moana" – these words encapsulate the profound interconnectedness our ancestors recognized among the heavens, earth, and oceans. They saw these elements not as separate entities but as integral parts of a unified whole, guiding them through the rhythm of time, from the darkness of night to the brightness of day.

The Maramataka Maori, or environmental calendars, were more than just tools for tracking time; they were intricate systems woven into the fabric of daily life. Our ancestors, attuned to the signs of the environment, navigated their journeys by harmonizing with the celestial, terrestrial, and aquatic realms.

In contrast, the global dominance of the Gregorian calendar has imposed a Western perspective on time, disconnecting us from the wisdom embedded in our ancestral calendars. This workshop invites us to reclaim that wisdom, to view data and narratives through the lens of our indigenous heritage.

By indigenising our relationship with time, we honour the heartbeat of Papatuanuku (Mother Earth) within us. As we listen to her guidance, we not only heal ourselves but also contribute to the healing of our environment. Let us embark on this journey together, weaving our past and present into a sustainable and harmonious future.

Key Learning Objectives:

A view of how Māori view health and our connection to the environment around us.

Our environment is the a reflection of our health.

The environment should be the centre of health.

Bio:

Turuki Healthcare.
Masters of Applied Indigenous Knowledge

Rikki Solomon | Pūkōrero Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa.
Rikki is a well respected mātanga of the maramataka Māori.
Rikki completed He Waka Hiringa: Masters Degree in Applied Indigenous Knowledge from Te Wananga o Aotearoa under the tutelage of Dr. Te Rita Papesch and Dr. Hohepa Tamehana.
His focus is on Nga Kitenga o te Maramataka: Insights into the Maramamataka (Maori Moon Calendar) and its relation to Whakamomori (Suicide).
He works with Turuki Healthcare, and is part of the Mahi atua movement which focuses on maori-centric approach to health and wellbeing.