In this episode, we hear from Prof. Graham Hingangaroa Smith about his journey, from growing up in a small town to conducting groundbreaking research on Kaupapa Māori—a transforming, Indigenous philosophical approach that centres on Māori ways of knowing, being, and doing as normal and valid, while simultaneously challenging the impacts of colonization.

Listeners will learn the concept of "transforming" Indigenous education—as per the podcast title—as Smith discusses with guest host Dr. Huia Jahnke: how do we ensure that Indigenous education and research remains transformative? Smith asserts we must remain wary of usage of Indigenous frameworks like Kaupapa Māori that seek to domesticate their radical transformative potential. Instead he outlines six elements that have been identified as critical to informing Kaupapa Māori Theory as a transforming praxis, and six elements to ensure its veracity for critical and transforming possibilities.

--

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Graham Hingangaroa Smith completed his doctoral studies at the University of Auckland, NZ. Currently, he is ‘Te Toi Ihorei ki Pūrehuroa’ Chair at Massey University, and a Distinguished Professor at Large. Previous appointments include Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori) at Massey University, Pro Vice Chancellor Māori at the University of Auckland, Acting Head of Education Policy Studies – UBC; Director of the National Institute for Post Treaty Settlement Futures, and CEO and Vice-Chancellor at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi: indigenous -university for eight years.

Professor Smith has been recognized and honoured for his international contributions to the political, social, economic and cultural advancement of Māori and indigenous communities in New Zealand and around the Pacific Rim, receiving an Honorary doctorate (D.Litt.) from the Okanagan University College in 2005, and an Honorary doctorate (LLD) from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2013; he was elected as a Fellow of the American Education Research Association in 2014, and was awarded a Queens Honour - a CNZM in 2014. He was given the Prime Minister’s Life-time Achievement Award 2017; and received the ‘Te Ururangi’ National Award for Education (Matariki Awards 2019). In 2020 Professor Smith was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Professor Smith is known as an educational thought leader and transformer of Māori inequities both within and because of education and schooling.

ABOUT THE GUEST HOST: Huia Jahnke is Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngai Tahu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Ngāti Hine. She is Professor of Māori and Indigenous Education in Te Pūtahi a Toi, Director of Toi Kura Centre for Māori and Indigenous Education, and Chair of the Māori Professoriate at Massey University. She was the past Director of Te Mata o Te Tau: The Academy for Māori Research and Scholarship.

In Episode 5, Kiera Brant-Birioukov reflects on teaching as a calling, her dream of returning to the rez to teach, and the journey that led her through academia and tenure-track life. As she shares how listening to her body guided her toward a different path, Kiera also highlights the importance of community, reminding us that while each path is our own, we never walk it alone.

In Part 2, Ixchel Bennett reflects on her ongoing doctoral work, educational leadership journey, and experiences moving from an urban to a rural community. She discusses the importance of relationships with Elders and community members in guiding her work and shares insights into transforming Indigenous education from within.