(Picture caption: Happy Cook Islands Language Week! Visit the MPP website for more information and language resources.)
It is officially ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani - Cook Islands Language Week 2022 and the Minister of Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito William Sio wants the community to focus on what it means to keep the language alive across the generations.
Minister Sio says the Cook Islands community in Aotearoa decided to focus on the same theme as last year, Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna, or in English, Connect me to the soils of my ancestors.
“Focusing on this theme for a second year allows us to ‘iriiri manako’ or think hard on it, and deeply examine what this means in terms of the retention of Te Reo Māori Kūki ‘Airani language and Pe’u Māori culture,” he adds.
“In some ways, it serves as both as a warning; elders with the institutional and historical, and deep understanding of the language and culture are passing away, and that knowledge is being lost.
“At the same time, it provides an opportunity to capture their stories for perpetuity so future generations can benefit and celebrate this indigenous knowledge.”
Classified as vulnerable by UNESCO, only nine per cent of the Cook Islands people speak the language.
With this in mind, and alongside this year’s launch, an online hub will be started for young people to engage, interact, promote, share and kōrero about their culture.
Developed by Koanga Māpū, Te Vai Ora Youth Hub is a platform for young people to engage and capture the stories of their elders with language and cultural knowledge, which ties in with the language week theme.
“This is one way to raise awareness and contribute to the value of Te Reo Māori Kūki ‘Airani this language week,” Minister Sio says.
Cook Islands Language Week concludes on August 6 with the Kapa Nui’ Festival at Vodafone Centre in Manukau, hosted by Te Maeva Nui Trust and bringing us together to celebrate the language, culture, traditions, and everything unique to the Cook Islands.
Visit the MPP website for more information and language resources.