About me:
I am a 47yr old Maori woman from the Whanganui River which is on the west coast of the north island of Aotearoa (New Zealand). I have been living in Australia for 6 1/2 yrs now. I have been living and working with indigenious Australians in the NT (Northern Territory)for 3yrs. I am currently living and working in a small Aboriginal community called Pukatja, Ernabella being the English name given to this community which is about 4 1/2 hrs drive depending on conditions of the roads, from Alice Springs just over the S.A (South Australian) border. My home base is still Alice Springs. I now work with failure to thrive children aged from 0-4yrs, disabilites which are mainly ABI 1'PS & ABI 2'PS (Accquired Brain Injuries due to Petrol Sniffing), and a few of the aged care or elders that reside here. It's stunning country steeped in tradition, happiness, sadness, love and sorrow. Their Jukurrpa (Dreamings) are the lands and surroundings they live on and within. I am deeply honoured and privileged to be a part of all this and I thankyou the Traditional Owners for allowing me to be here amongst you for the last 15 months. This truly has been a journey that has not finsihed for me yet and I know the next 2 years here will be even more than what I have experienced so far. My tamariki and mokopuna are still living back home in beautiful Aotearoa and I miss them heaps but I know where they are and home is only a hop, skip and a jump over the ditch. Ka nui taku aroha ki a ratou ma ... I have a great life ...
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