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| September-December 2007
Volume 2, Issue 1
| | First Nations' Futures Program Newsletter Ke Alaula: The Dawning | | | | | | | Aloha,
E nga mana, e nga reo, e karangatanga maha, tena koutou tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. He mihi nunui tenei ki a tatou katoa, e nga tangata whenua, huri noa i te moana nui a Kiwa. Tena tatou katoa.
 Pictured above are the FNFP Kamehameha Fellows, past and present. During an afternoon session of the FNFP Hawai'i Orientation, last year's FNFP Kamehameha Fellows shared their experiences of the program with the incoming cohort. The new fellows quickly learned that the road ahead is quite long, but, very much worthwhile -- as they will build strong relationships and become an 'Ohana. (Pictured (l-r): (seated) Noelani Lee ('07/'08), Esther Kia'aina ('07/'08); (middle) Nālani Dahl ('07/'08), Ka'iu Kimura ('06/'07), Mahina Duarte ('07/'08); (back) Daniel Naho'opi'i ('06/'07), Noa Lincoln ('06/'07), Hokuao Pellegrino ('07/'08), Layne Richards ('06/'07))
Happy New Year!
First Nations' Futures Program (FNFP) has been very busy preparing for the upcoming new year with our new cohort of fellows. Once again, the partnership of Kamehameha and Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu are proud to collectively welcome our new fellows. This year, we welcome into our 'Ohana several Kamehameha and Ngai Tahu fellows as well as a first-time Stanford Fellow who comes to us from Stanford's Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Environment and Resources, sponsored in part by Stanford's Native American Cultural Center. As we grow our 'Ohana, we grow our reaches.
In this issue we step back and present to you what the program has undergone in these past few months -- we feature our new fellows; this year's First Nations' Futures Institute faculty; a few thank yous; and expectations to the upcoming course year. | | News
* The fellows completed their respective orientations back in late September / early October before flying off to Stanford University to participate in the second First Nations' Futures Program Institute (Institute), the first phase of the program. After recently completing the Institute, the fellows are well prepared to take on the place-based projects to be held in Aotearoa (early next calendar year) and Hawai'i (next spring).
* The Maui News, Maui's Newspaper, featured four of our fellows whom have ties to the island: click here.
* The Stanford News Service, Stanford Report featured an article on our program in their early November release. For a link to the article: "Indigenous leaders study resource management on campus," written by Louis Bergeron, click here.
| FNFP
A new beginning
It's our pleasure to introduce First Nations' Futures Program's new cohort of Fellows for the 2007/2008 fellowship year:  Kari Moana Austin (Ngai Tahu Fellow) is one of three Ngai Tahu fellows. She credits her motivation and drive to ensuring the inter-generational transmission of te reo Maori (the Maori language) for new generations of Ngai Tahu speakers of te reo. She currently tutors te reo Maori at the University of Waikato and has tutored the language as well as Treaty of Waitangi Studies at the University of Canterbury in previous years.
Kari has held many positions at the University, including President of the Maori Law Students Association (Waikato and Canterbury) and Maori Law Student Facilitator (Canterbury).  Mehana Blaich-Vaughan (Stanford Fellow). Mehana is a student in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Environment and Resources. She is also a teacher, having taught at various secondary levels on Kaua'i, Massachusetts, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. She already holds a bachelors of sociology from Harvard and masters in education from UH-Manoa, but, decided to return to school once again. Her research focuses on: how internal and external factors impact the sustainability of community based resource governance efforts; contemporary models of land use based on indigenous ecological knowledge; education systems which train local youth to serve as land stewards; and, methods to create dialogue and understanding between diverse parties.
 Nalani Dahl (Kamehameha Fellow) is one of five Kamehameha fellows. She recently launched a marketing and special events firm - Dahl Consulting, LLC.
Nalani's current community involvement work includes: serving as the President of Lokahi Canoe Club; stage manager for Maoli Arts Month Wearable Arts Fashion Show; and participating in planning committees for the Great Aloha Run and 'Ohina - The Short Film Showcase. Among her other achievements, she's credited as an Associate Producer for one of Hawai'i Film Festival's award winning films, I Scream, Floats & Sundays.
 Mahinapoepoe Paishon Duarte (Kamehameha Fellow). Mahina co-founded and led the group, Paepae o He'eia, whose aims are to address local food security and indigenous education needs.
Mahina is currently employed by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to help steward the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. As a Policy Program Coordinator, she's working towards co-integrating Native Hawaiian knowledge and contemporary scientific knowledge in addressing common resource management questions.
 Aimee Kaio (Ngai Tahu Fellow). Aimee has contributed to and managed many hapu and marae based projects in paid and voluntary roles for Te Runaka o Awarua. Currently, she co-manages Awarua Research and Deveopment in which all of the resulting findings are for the direct and indirect greater well-being outcomes of her people.
Aimee has a passion to teach and to continue to learn as well. She continues to study Postgraduate Business Administration and is in pursuit of her Master's degree.
 Esther Puakela Kia'aina (Kamehameha Fellow). Esther serves as a Land Assets Manager for the Kamehameha Schools' Land Assets Division and is responsible for the management of agriculture and conservation lands on Windward and Leeward O'ahu and the island of Moloka'i.
Esther has spent 21 years in Washington, D.C., where she served in a variety of public policy positions, working under Congressman Ed Case as well as Senator Daniel Akaka. She is known especially for her expertise and effective advocacy work on improving U.S. policy toward Native Hawaiians and other indigenous peoples.
 Noelani Lee (Kamehameha Fellow). Noelani is the Executive Director for Ka Honua Momona International (KHM), on the island of Molokai. She sees KHM's philosophy is held true: to develop indigenous education systems by revitalizing natural and cultural resources, perpetuating traditional knowledge and stewardship and evolving with modern technology which will result in a self-sufficient model for all nations.
Noelani serves on several boards on Molokai, was named 2005 Pacific American Emerging Leader, and holds a distinction as an author.
 Hokuao Pellegrino (Kamehameha Fellow). Hokuao is an educator and has taught at St. Anthony H.S., Kamehameha Elementary, Maui Campus, and UH-Hilo. Currently, he's an instructor for the Hawaiian Language College at Hilo, teaching Hawaiian Ethnobotany. Hokuao is also employed as the Cultural Landscape Curator at the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i in Hilo.
Aside from his work in Hilo, he is a Kalo farmer and the cultural and educational coordinator for Noho'ana Farm in Waikapu, Maui. In connection with farming, he is also working on Native Hawaiian water rights with Hui o Na Wai 'Eha.
 Rangimarie Parata Takurua (Ngai Tahu Fellow) is one of three Ngai Tahu fellows. She currently sits on a steering committee which is looking at merging the substantial resources of three large Maori organizations in aims to accelerate the Maori economy and lead to Maori business success.
Rangimarie has held many titles in the past with Ngai Tahu, including: Investment Manager and Director of Holdings Corporation. She also currently sits on a number of boards and runs her own consultancy, specializing in Governance and Management of Maori organizations throughout the country.
 Gerard te Heuheu is from the Ngati Tuwharetoa iwi (tribe) of Aotearoa. He is a commercial fixed wing and helicopter pilot based at Taupo. Gerard is also extensively involved in all facets of tribal economic development. He sits on the Togariro Taupo Conservation Board and the Tauponuiatia Management Board by appointment of the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board. Gerard also has governance relationships with several other key tribal land trusts and economic authorities. He currently works on a number of special projects with the Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board.
 Jamie Tuuta is sponsored by the Paraninihi ki Waitotara Incorporation, whose primary focus is to administer the lands previously known as the West Coast Settlement Reserves in Aotearoa -- Maori Dairy Farming Incorporation.
Jaime currently sits on a number of Boards, serves as the Chairperson of Te Runanga o Ngati Mutunga, and holds several other titles, including: Trustee of Te Reo o Taranaki Trust, Director of Hauora Taranaki PHO (Primary Health Organization) Limited, and other responsibilities.
For a more detailed self-introduction of our fellows, please visit the following website link.
| First Nations' Futures Institute
Stanford University, Fall 2007
As part of the initial phase of the First Nations' Futures Program, the fellows were required to undergo an intensive two-week academic Institute held on Stanford University's campus from October 21 - November 2, 2007. Various lectures, presentations and dynamic learning experiences of disciplines necessary to satisfy undertaking the overall program's purpose comprise the Institute. In addition to this year's Fellows, 2006-2007 Fellows Brett Ellison and Ka'iu Kimura were on hand at the Institute to present seminars about their experiences and reflections of the program.
Professors from Stanford University and leading experts in the varying fields (social, economic, environmental, and cultural) serve as instructors. The quality of faculty and presenters in this year's Institute signal the success desired, expected, and ultimately, achieved.
For a quick video of tidbit interviews featuring a couple FNFP co-directors and fellows, click here. (source: Stanford News Service >> Stanford Report >> November 7, 2007 >> Mark Shwartz / Stanford Video)
The following represent some of the faculty/presenters present at this year's Institute. Our apologies for those whose bios are not present.
(Order of chronological scheduled appearance at Institute)
 Professor Phillip Leslie is an economist in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. He teaches business strategy and specializes in empirical research on the behavior of firms. Originally from Australia, Dr. Leslie's rugby enthusiasm is unfortunately skewed the wrong way. However, his expertise in economics in nonetheless appreciated. At the Institute, Professor Leslie was responsible for leading the Institute's Business and Strategic Planning sessions. Primarily, case studies served as initial discussion bases, however clear tangents in "conversation" were stirred with the thought-provoking works. Professor Leslie was on task to guide the learning experience properly to focus on key business issues and garner points to learn, not just about but, from.
 Ashley Simons is Assistant Director of Science Outreach for the Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea (COMPASS) and Assistant Director for Training and Outreach at Stanford University's Woods Institute for the Environment. Ms. Simons helps scientists effectively convey and connect their work to audiences outside academia, and brings marine science into the public view via print, radio, and television coverage in the popular press. At the Institute, Ashley, along with Teri Gorman, led the fellows through the communications portion of the Institute. As comes the responsibility of any leadership position, so does the microscope of the media lense. Being able to properly deal with media interactions and public relations are nothing too simple. Practical hands-on experiences to prepare, take control and get results from media interviews in a mock interview environment served as one session for our fellows. The fellows took the knowledge and guidance offered in these dynamic and interactive sessions to brush up, if not learn anew, the important skill/art of communicating effectively, regardless of media type (print, radio, television).  Teri Freitas Gorman is currently vice president, Corporate Communications for Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc. In her life pursuits, Ms. Gorman has also been a freelance writer, director of marketing for the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, director of marketing for the Aotea Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, vice president, External Affairs for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and director of Corporate Communications and later corporate vice president at ML&P. At each progression in her life's careers, Ms. Gorman delved into the indigenous community, adopted it as her own and helped the people.
 Dean Pamela Matson is the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Professor of Environmental Studies in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, and serves as Dean of the School of Earth Sciences at Stanford University. She works extensively with multi-disciplinary teams of researchers to develop land management approaches that make sense economically and environmentally. Dr. Matson is an author of numerous scientific publications and four books. She serves in many esteemed positions, while working towards better conservations and sustainability. At the Institute, Dean Matson graciously delivered a keynote speech on the environment, development, and sustainability to our fellows on October 24. Her message was clear in pointing out the importance for a renewed effort to understand consequences and better employ our knowledge for sustainability.  Neil Hannahs is the Director of the Land Assets Division for Kamehameha Schools. He is responsible for the team that manages Kamehameha's 347,000 acres of agriculture and conservation lands in Hawai'i. He is an integral reason for the launch and continuation of FNFP.
Mr. Hannahs currently serves as chairman of the Hawai'i Public Television Foundation Board of Directors, president of the Land Use Research Foundation, trustee of Queen's Medical Center, sits on several other boards, and serves as a State Committee Member of the Hawai'i Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) -- among many other roles beneficial to the community. At the Institute, Neil Hannahs followed up Dean Matson's message on sustainability with a First Nations' perspective. The environment, development, and sustainability issues are all the more glaring when it's in our own home communities. Efforts need to be made to improve the betterment of our quality of life. The effort ultimately needs to be made by the masses for any results to accrue, but, it starts with the few leaders whom are willing to show the way; the right way. Uncle Neil also served as a key note speaker, and delivered a motivational message to "finding our way."
 Professor Nicholas Hope is the current director for the Stanford Center for International Development (SCID), after having served previously as the acting director, deputy director and China program director. To his credit, he had been employed by the World Bank, serving in may capacities and rising up the ranks (1977 - 2000). His research interest lie in East Asian Economics (esp. China and Indonesia), and he is currently researching private enterprise development in China -- progress of reform in China, especially in the financial sector. His teaching interests are those described above as well as the role and effectiveness of international financial institutions. At the Institute, Professor Hope led an academically intensive economic study that looked particularly into the makeup of the International financial system as well as an array of International Economics topics at the forefront today. The fellows got the general knowledge of the international scheme being played out in the world today. The important knowledge comes in being able to put into perspective how it all works together, given our indigenous systems and values.
 Dr. Roberta Katz is currently associate vice president for strategic planning at Stanford University, working in the office of the president. She assists with the development and implementation of a variety of new University-wide initiatives. Ms. Katz previously was one of the founders and CEO of Flywheel Communications, Inc., president and CEO of the Technology Network (TechNet), senior vice president, secretary and general counsel of Netscape Communications Corporation, senior vice president and general counsel of McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc (subsequently AT&T Wireless), attorney in private practice (corporate law), partner with the firm of Heller, Ehrman, White & McAuliffe (resident in Seattle office), and cultural anthropologist. At the Institute, Dr. Katz, alongside Anake Goodell (Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu), led a discussion of alternative business models. Given the roles our fellows currently serve in their respective communities, this discussion especially provided direct applicability.
 Brett Ellison was a 2006/2007 FNFP fellow, and credits his experience in the program as solidifying the foundations for him to play a more active role in the commercial activities of Ngai Tahu. Mr. Ellison is currently working as a business analyst with Ngai Tahu Holdings Group (NTHG), the commercial arm of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. He just recently completed his Masters and submitted his thesis which illustrated the key components that support sustainable economic development in marginalized communities in post-apartheid South Africa. Mr. Ellison also continues to toy with the idea of pursuing a Ph.D. At the Institute, first year fellows, Brett Ellison and Ka'iu Kimura discussed the projects that were undertaken in the program last year. Mr. Ellison discussed fully the Water Forum and Aotearoa project, while Ms. Kimura spoke of the Sustainable Tourism Forum and Hawai'i project. The new fellows were able to gain insight on the sheer hardwork employed to come up with a finished product/project. A discussion of project ideas for this year's cohort was led by the first years. Certainly exciting times -- looking at the work that lies ahead.
 Ka'iu Kimura was a 2006/2007 FNFP fellow. She returns to the Institute this year (along with Brett Ellison) to report on the previous year's program learnings while out in the field. Ms. Kimura is pursuing her Masters in Hawaiian Language and Literature at Ka Haka 'Ula o Ke'elikolani, Hawaiian Language College at UH-Hilo. She also lectures at the College, teaching first level Hawaiian language. Concurrently, she is the Experience Coordinator at the 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i where she played an integral role in developing exhibits and programs. Her passion and commitment is to her community and to the return to the Hawaiian language as a living, thriving languate of Hawai'i.
 Professor Stephen Palumbi teaches and does research in evolution and marine biology at Stanford University. He has lectured extensively on human-induced evolutionary change, has used genetic detective work to identify whales for sale in retail markets, and is working on new methods to help design marine parks for conservation. At the Institute, Professor Palumbi started off the marine resource session with a forum talk on State and change in the oceans. This talk went a long ways in being able to scientifically assess marine resources in attempts to achieve a better understanding on what it would take to accomplish (or even lay out) sustainability goals.
 'Aulani Wilhelm is currently the Superintendent for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, the largest single conservation area under U.S. flag and the world's largest protected marine area.
Ms. Wilhelm has been involved in conservation and management issues in Hawai'i for the past twelve years. She has also served as the special assistant to the director and public information officer at the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources. Ms. Wilhelm is a well-recognized leader in the protection and perpetuation of Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources. At the Institute, 'Aulani gave a presentation on the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument and spoke, alongside fellow Mahina Duarte, on the use of traditional ecological knowledge in resource management plans; and, specifically the development of management plans for Papahanaumokuakea. Action in place; right in Hawai'i's backyard.
 Ulalia Woodside is the Land Legacy Resources Manager for the Kamehameha Schools' Land Assets Division. Her responsibilities include the development and implementation of programs to steward environmental and natural resources (Malama 'Aina), increase understanding and preservation of cultural resources ('Ike 'Aina), and realize place-based and culture-based educational experiences ('Aina Ulu) on the more than 340,000 acres of KS' agriculture and conservation lands. She also serves on the boards of Kauahea Inc. and the Lalakea Foundation; two organizations dedicated to the advancement of Hawaiian cultural practices, natural and cultural resource education, and the preservation of the Hawaiian relationship to land. At the Institute, Ulalia contributed her mana'o on Hawaiian history and cultural pratice during a talk on Papaku Makawalu (alongside Kalei Suha). As noted, Hawaiian history and cultural practices were preserved in such a way that interruption by foreign ideals in education and lifestyle intruded upon the rhythmic process of informational succession from one generation to the next. Papaku Makawalu is a bridge connecting all things Hawaiian whether they are concepts, words, occupations, the natural world, the spiritual world or the human world. Papaku is the foundation or basis for all things, and Makawalu is the natural growth out from the foundation. Papku Makawalu is an attempt to connect the pieces and present a whole image of the Hawaiian worldview. In connection with the program, the attempt is to connect indigenous views with western.  Professor Roz Naylor is the Julie Wrigley senior fellow at the Center for Environmental Sciences and Policy (CESP) at Stanford, the director of the Goldman Honors Program in Environmental Science, Technology, and Policy, the Director of the Program on Food Security and the Environment, and an associate professor of Economics, by courtesy. Her research focuses on the environmental and equity dimensions of intensive food production. She has been involved in a number of field-level research projects throughout the world concerning issues of aquaculture production, high-input agricultural development, biotechnology, climate-induced yield variability, and food security. At the Institute, Professor Naylor talked about the background on biofuels and their implications especially related to the movement towards sustainability. FNFP co-director Mawae Morton followed up with his presentation of Kamehameha's biofuel plan and the proactive nature to search for a better solution to the energy crises.  Mawae Morton has been the interim program director for FNFP since the program was proposed four years ago, Strategic Resources Manager within the Endowment Group at Kamehameha Schools, and senior vice president of planning with Hawaii BioEnergy.
Mr. Morton has affiliations with several iwi, has served in key Maori governance roles, held several policy positions with the New Zealand Government in the area of Maori development, Maori land and natural resource management, and Treaty of Waitangi issues, and has advised many Maori trusts and incorporations on Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations, governance issues, strategic planning and business planning. Sharon Richmond is a founder and principal of a consulting firm and also serves as a leadership coach for Stanford's Center for Leadership Development & Research. At the Institute, she, along with leadership coach Collins Dobbs, put together a leadership workshop for the fellows. Through group discussion and interactive exercises, the session provided a framework for self reflection, feedback, and personal planning about effective leadership. Through out the exercises, the fellows were better equiped to answer some questions: What does leadership mean to you? What kind of leader are you? What kind of leader would you like to be? Judge Joe Williams and Professor Jon Osorio later conducted a workshop on leadership in a First Nations' perspective.  Judge Joe Williams is the Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court and Chairperson of the Waitangi Tribunal. He was the first Maori lecturer in law at Victoria University in Wellington and he established the first unit specializing in Maori issues at a major law firm. In 1994, he became one of the founding partners of Walters, Williams and Company, where he specialized in environment, public, and Maori law. Deeply rooted in his culture, Judge Williams remains determined to ensure that Maori value systems are recognized within the judicial system. At the Institute, Judge Joe Williams served as the Institute's graduation key note speaker for the second year in a row. His balance of cultures and humor gave the fellows a lasting impression.
 Professor Jon Osorio is a scholar, author, activist and advocate for Hawaiian self-determination, full professor, bureaucrat, faithful husband, engaged father, coach, and believes strongly that Hawaiian sovereignty is about restoring our faith in the law and its ability to restore justice and fairness. Professor Osorio sees a greater vision: the restoring of full independence under a multi-ethnic nation state that is culturally Hawaiian, but, understands that such a nation, honoring public service, personal responsibility, sharing and non-violence would not appeal to everyone.
 Professor Peter Vitousek is Morrison Professor of Population and Resource Studies in the Department of Biological Sciences at Stanford University. He was born in Hawai'i, and now does most of his research there - making use of the extraordinary environments and ecosystems of the Islands as a model for understanding ecology and human-environment interactions globally. There is no truth to the rumor that his interest in Hawai'i is anything but academic. He graduated from HPA, Amherst College (BA Political Science), and Dartmouth College (PhD Biology), then taught at Indiana University and the University of North Carolina before joining Stanford's Department of Biological Sciences in 1984. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was named "America's Best Ecologist" by Time/CNN in 2001.
We'd also like to thank the industry panelists who've helped make this Institute an even more dynamic experience. Specific articles featuring them will appear in follow-up articles of this newsletter.
| Native American Cultural Center
 As opens the greeting remarks on Stanford's Native American Cultural Center (NACC) webpage: "Ours is a history of working to improve the quality of life for American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians." The words are not only written and spoken, but lived through fruition. FNFP would like to thank NACC for being such gracious hosts. Dr. Winona Simms, Denni Dianne, and Greg Graves and students who welcomed us as 'ohana with open arms, we are forever indebted. A special mahalo also goes to Tom Massey for his committed effort and support of FNFP. Our programs serve a common purpose to continuously strive to improve the situations of our indigenous cultures. It is only through hard work and cooperation that we may achieve our goals. | FNFP Graduation
It was made clear to the 2007-2008 Fellows just how grand a task awaits them in the coming year. The counterbalance to the costs (sweat, tears, and hard work) are the benefits (camaraderie, fulfillment, completion of projects that are worthwhile to our indigenous communities). As the key note commencement speaker, Judge Joe Williams retold one of Nainoa Thompson's inspirational stories, "Can you see the island?" The message was fitting for the fellows who now move forward with their new gained/sharpened knowledge learned at the Institute: to attain and reach our goals we need to have a clear vision and understanding, and see the final destination (see the island in the vast ocean during our journey together). Fellow Mahina notes that the greatest challenge for the fellows will be to carry, relay and convey the mana'o learned through out the upcoming year. As we say "goodbye" to one class and hello to another, it is important to understand that the journey for either never ends. The canoes for their journeys are simply at different launch points, aimed in the same direction -- forward. Whakakitea te moku? Ho'o'ikea ke moku?  | Reflection & Expectation
A look back and ahead -- from the perspective of an incoming fellow
In the words of Stanford Fellow Mehana Blaich-Vaughan:
"You are never too young to take someone else with you," said Mililani Trask-Batti, one of three sophomore co-presidents of Stanford's Hui o Hawai'i, Native Hawaiian students' organization. Her comment marked the end of a warm evening of plentiful food, ho'okani pila (sounding of instruments), singing, and even some dancing, hosted by the Hui in Week Two of the First Nation's Futures Institute. This young group of haumana (students) threw themselves into preparing for the Institute, meeting regularly to practice welcoming oli (chants), and debuting a new club oli in honor of the fellows' graduation. For some, it was their first experience with chant, with 'olelo Hawai'i, one small example of how they've felt the Institute at Stanford has helped to grow the club. They were inspired to meet so many "older but still young" Hawaiian and Maori "mentors," amazed by all the things each fellow had accomplished, excited for even more people on campus to get to hear of their work. The Hui o Hawai'i event was just one evening of two jam-packed weeks of morning to night activity for the fellows, one instance of many people and pockets of campus left feeling their presence. As the Institute's first Stanford Native American fellow, I was so honored to join such a fine group of fellow Hawaiians and Maori colleagues, bringing their sharp intelligence, deep experience, eagerness to learn, and willingness to share; their ancestors and aloha to campus. One goal of this fellowship may be together seeing, speaking, working below the surface of things. As the cold rains wash Palo Alto, and I bike past Encina Hall's empty lawn, I now hear pu ohe, korero Maori, oli Aloha. I feel pounamu. And I see a small but tight group beginning each morning circled; sharing the values of a great university, our respective homelands, meeting below the surface. 
In the words of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu Fellow Kari Austin:
Reflection of the Institute -
For me, the Stanford Institute was an amazing experience. Words cannot adequately describe it. I was inspired, challenged and motivated all at the same time. I grew as a person and am richer for the experience. I gathered knowledge and I hope that I was able to impart some knowledge too. But, what I think was the most outstanding aspect of the Programme, was the people. Because as one of our most famous Māori whakataukī (proverbs) says: He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata What is the most important thing in this world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
For me, it was not the content of what we learnt at Stanford that made the Institute the huge success that it was, it was the people. The Stanford Institute achieved what I believe is the main aim of the First Nations Futures Programme: To create a Fellowship. We entered into the Institute as 11 Fellows but left not as 11 Fellows, but as one Fellowship. In my opinion, therein lies the true success of the Institute. Expectations going into and coming out of Institute -
I came into the Institute with a very limited understanding of what the First Nations Futures Programme was all about, so as a result, I had relatively few expectations leading up to it. I did, however, firmly believe that I was about to become a part of something great. In that respect, I have not been disappointed. In fact, any expectations I could possibly have had about the Institute or the Programme itself, have well and truly been exceeded in every possible way. My expectations coming out of the Institute are to build on what we have achieved so far, and to utilize the skills and knowledge that we have acquired to ensure that our place-based case studies are a huge success. In other words, we've talked the talk. Now we've got to walk the walk. Expectations/Anticipation for the next phase -
I am filled with anticipation and excitement leading into the next phase of our journey, the Aotearoa case study. I can't wait to welcome my Hawaiian cousins to Aotearoa, and share with them our land, our people and our culture. My hope for this phase of the programme is to be able to produce something concrete on the ground that will be of benefit to my people. | | | |
After completing the Institute, our fellows are well equiped with the necessary tools to undertake the challenges that await them. They are fully expected to take on the challenges head-on together -- as fellow Kari Austin puts it -- taking on the tasks as one fellowship as opposed to several individual fellows.
In our next issue, we will preview the Aotearoa place-based project and the events and happenings that lead up to it.
Mahalo nui, | Mawae Morton
First Nations' Futures Program
Nālani E. Dahl
Editor, Fellow
B.J. Awa
Editor | | | 
"I will never forget the humble warmth of the Mwekma Ohlone encircling us the first golden evening at Jasper Ridge. They drove from hours in all directions, far flung in their homeland of San Francisco Bay, all of which they gently continue to call home. Two sisters shared how they'd relearned their nearly lost language from one anthropologist, how they are teaching it now, out of the back of a van." -- Stanford Fellow Mehana Blaich-Vaughan | | | | | | | First Nations' Futures Program | Attn. Mawae Morton | 567 S.King Street | Honolulu | HI | 96813 | 
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