Alaskan-bound delegation

Tu Tangata, Issue 18, 1 June 1984, Page 37

Alaskan-bound delegation

A Maori delegation representing most New Zealand tribes will go to Alaska in August for cultural exchanges.

The group of about 33 members, under the title “Aotearoa ki Alaska 1984,” is expected to receive a totem pole from the Alaskans during the tour. The trip will also mark the 10th anniversary of a presentation of maori carvings to Alaska by the group’s tour coordinator, Mr Albert Kake-Tana of Auckland. Mr Kake-Tana said the tour would be no ordinary one, because to his knowledge it would be the first ethnic group of any country to go to Alaska.

The party will arrive in Alaska’s capital city Juneau on August 16, to be met by the governor and members of parliament.

The group’s tour co-ordinator, Mrs Ellen Wineti, said the New Zealanders would spend three weeks touring the state and would be billeted with Alaskans during this time. There were two pakehas among the delegation, said Mrs Wineti, and mem-

“ delegaHonlearn Not only would the delegation learn more about the Indians and Eskimos of Alaska, but the Alaskans would gam an insight into traditional maori culture. , e leve we ve go , a o, o s are with the people of Alaska, she said. Mf 8 Wmeb 18 a lecturer of maori Btadies at Lore Hall Gath Trainmg 0 f in aa an ' ~ A 1 , ~ , , She said Aotearoa ki Alaska had been , fundraising since January and hope ~‘° meet a tar S e ' of s6o '°°° o partially cover u fares. Group members ™ ould meet the rest of the expense themselves. _ . .. e § rm *P 0 ma i or 1111 * raising wee en s.

Phone contacts (all Auckland numbers) Albert Kake-Tana, ph 468 922 Home, 655 608 Work. Ellen Wineti, ph 834 4669 Home, 869 106 ext 801 Tues and Thurs 8.30-3.00. Other days 544 915.