Whangarei to haka to support Standing Rock

Kate Hei and Huhana Lyndon are calling for people to come together to perform a haka in support of a Native American tribe protesting against a pipeline being built through their land.PHOTO/JOHN STONE

While a Native American tribe is protesting against an oil pipeline being built through their land in North Dakota, Northlanders will be showing their support in Whangarei with a haka.

Haka with Standing Rock is a kaupapa which has swept the country, with many Maori and non-Maori doing a haka to stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe who are protesting the construction of an oil pipeline in North Dakota which they fear will threaten the water source of the indigenous people, as well as sacred sites.

Northland's Kate Hei wanted Whangarei to get on board so she and Huhana Lyndon have called for people to head to the Wave and Waka sculpture, on the Hatea Loop, on Monday at 5pm to perform a haka to support the Standing Rock Sioux tribe.

"My papatuanuku, is their papatuanuku. My mother earth, is their mother earth. For everyone but particularly the indigenous people all over the world, we know we are the guardians, the kaitiaki, the protectors of the earth and the water. They are what we are," Ms Hei said.

Ms Lyndon said what the Native Americans were facing in North Dakota, was similar to what Northland Maori faced.

"It's about acting locally, thinking globally. It links to our ongoing environmental issues back home like Evolution Mining, Poroti Springs. The way in which the Government makes policies which impact local government which impact on our community values," she said.

Ms Lyndon said the haka they will chose will be a well-known one everyone can take part in. She said she had put out the call to local schools and kohanga and hoped members of the public would come to support the initiative.

"We support the Native Americans to do a peaceful protest towards the Dakota access pipeline and all pipelines. We support their protesting through prayer and healing; and challenge, you can challenge the entire indigenous culture - that is our water, that is our land and we are the protectors," Ms Hei said.