Natives urged to make own movies

Page 8

"Do your own filming. Don't let the whiteman do it for you."

This strong statement was made to Native people at a workshop held in conjunction with the World Festival of Aboriginal Motion Pictures in Pincher Creek, Oct. 8 ? 11.

The speaker was Eruera Nia, an independent Maori film-maker from New Zealand. He told Native film-makers to make their own films because only their can give films about themselves the proper perspective.

"If you have no knowledge about cameras and filming, then we will give it to you. The whiteman should be able to transfer the knowledge to you, but if he won't do it, then come see us," Nia said, adding that it only takes about six months to train a filming crew in his country. He invited Natives to New Zealand to learn to make films and then return to make their own and tell their own stories of culture, lifestyle and oppression.

Nia was part of the New Zealand delegation which made a presentation regarding their country's progress in the film and communication industry at the festival. Representatives from Wairo Productions in Auckland told the audience that television programs and films are part of the cultural resurgence taking place in their country.

New Zealand has two television studios, both of which are government funded. One of the stations broadcasts from 10 a.m. until midnight and features 15 minutes of Maori news. Most of the television productions are in the English language.

"We used to have only five minutes of news. We have constant fights wit the government to get good Maori programming," said Karen Sidney, a Maori filmmaker who spoke to Windspeaker after the presentation. "In the last year there have been moves to get a private Maori channel," she explained, indicating the New Zealand government is too involved with decisions regarding program content.

"We had a brief warrant for a radio station, too, but fights with the government caused it to be shut down."

Robert Pouwhere, of Wairo Productions spoke in general of his people. He explained there are many Maori tribes which account for 300,000 of New Zealand's 3 million population.

"At the turn of the century we were almost decimated. Newcomers introduced new diseases, lifestyles, values and economies to us. We experienced a loss of our land and culture. We lost our economic and spiritual base. We were given treaties, just as you were," Pouwhere added.

He continued to draw parallels between North America and New Zealand Aboriginal people. "We even traditionally bury the placenta of a baby, in the earth, after it is born ? just as you traditionally did."

The Maori are also returning to the old ways "as you are here in Canada." A priority is language preservation. "We are facing a crisis situation with our language ? full tribes are unable to speak it," Pouwhere said. Throughout New Zealand, a program called "koh anga reo" has been introduced to teach anyone who is willing to learn the Maori language called "Ta Reo."

"So, that means throughout New Zealand, wherever there is an empty classroom or garage, we have language classes. The elders teach the young ones," Pouwhere explained.

"We believe we will regain our language. It is only through such goals as this that we can hope to preserve our culture for the future."

For anyone interested in taking up Eruera Nia's offer of film training in New Zealand, the broadcast society address is: Te Manu Aute, P.O. Box 6684, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand.