Treaties: What are they?

Increasing our knowledge of New Zealand history, we begin to look at the general information regarding treaties. For this, we look at other treaties that have existed around the world. Though firstly we came to the conclusion of what a treaty was, an agreement between nations, it a written binding and are obliged by international law. A treaty that I researched is between the Native Americans/Indians and the White Americans. To be specific, "The Fort Laramie Treaty". 

Within looking at both treaties, similarities between the two arose. 

The treaty only lasted until gold was found in the mining grounds of Black Hills, Dakota. 1868-1874. The treaties both mention that ownership of the land would be authorised to the First Nations. The ‘colonisers’ would end up having control of the land in question. Feud would occur and fights between the two nations happened because of a breach. It would seem as if the more advanced nation would alter and form the agreement in their favour. Another similarity is the controversy that surrounds what the treaty had actually symbolised. 

Sovereignty was the main concern for both treaties, in which First Nations--who would’ve had the authority over their nation--were then met by another nation. The other nation would claim their authority over the First Nations--who were already there in the first place. In addition, the lands were lost over unclear political and government disputes and are still debated in the current years.

A poster that I've created, depicting the fight between the Native American/Sioux and the Whites:

                     

Tawhirimatea

During the first several sessions of Social Studies, we look at the Maori culture; starting with the beliefs that they had. Legends, stories or gods appear in most if not all of the cultures, beliefs of the magical creatures and myths that appear throughout. Maori culture is not different from this, gods have also appeared in the Maori beliefs, similarities can also be seen from other cultures. We looked at the different gods and their similarities and differences. For the presentation, we were to choose a god from the Maori mythology and a god from another mythology that comes from another culture. I have chosen, Tawirimatea and Zeus for this poster, noting down their similarity and what kind of gods they were-- gods of weather.

The Population of People Residing in New Zealand

In this term, we have been looking at the 'Treaty of Waitangi'. In doing so we look at the history of New Zealand. The history of people of Maori descent and the colonization that happened around 2 centuries ago. Through this study, we also have learnt some of the terms used in the culture of Maori and their beliefs. The information then began to lead up to the signing of the 'treaty' and the conflicts between the Maori themselves and Europeans. In this session, we began to look at the population--the difference-- between the Maori and Europeans starting from specifically 1836-1901.  In this, we see the increase in the population of Europeans in contrast to the decline of Maori.

The decline of Maori happened predominantly because of conflict. It may have happened due to the sudden influx of the Europeans and especially the muskets. Although conflict was not uncommon between the Maori iwis but the involvement of guns increased the number of deaths. This resulted in a decline in population. Other reasons may have come from the diseases--foreign diseases-- that the Europeans brought in. The Europeans saw a great opportunity to trade with the Maori, in addition, they also had fewer mechanisms and were less advance which the Europeans took advantage of. This resulted in big gains, for the Europeans, whales and seals that were killed --with the help of Maori-- were traded with other countries which gave them more money. 

Hence, as trading got bigger more Europeans came and in doing so colonized Aotearoa.

Pepeha: My Mihi

Looking back I have created a 'Mihi' in the past. During lessons before we looked at the Maori culture, this involved, Waka, Iwi and the culture that surrounds the people of New Zealand. Included in this are Mihi--Pepeha. I have revised some parts of my Mihi,, though the old Mihi will be included. 

Separated into groups we also looked --our group-- specifically on the details about Iwi. 'Iwi means bones--relevant background and line of descent. Ngati means “descended from” usually heard when [before an ] Iwi is mentioned. It was important to tell others where one came from and so a “system” was created. They would identify with a mountain, an ocean, lake and land around their area of tribe.'

Old Mihi:

Revised: 

Ko Arayat toku maunga

Ko Pacific toku moana

Ko Pampanga River toku awa

Ko Pampanga toku rohe

Ko Santiago, Sangalang tōku ingoa whānau

Ko Axle toku ingoa

Nō reira, tēna koutou, tēna koutou, tēna koutou katoa.