Exploring ways to build strength into our network by sharing and supporting each others mahi
Acknowledgement Of the need to connect
As part of an initiative for AWEA (Auckland Workers Education Association) to consider our role and direction as an organisation, we talked to other Treaty Education groups around Tāmaki. A theme we heard from the people we talked to was the value and opportunity to connect as a community. Recognising our differences and accountabilities to our local mana whenua groups, it seemed it would be useful to explore more widely the preferences for people engaging in Treaty work to connect; virtually initially, but seeing what the needs for other forms of connection through this. We talked to others, and the concept of this site was the outcome.
The Seeding
The setup of this site and the opportunity to explore it with the wider Treaty kaimahi community was made possible by several groups, who funded some of the development and who supported the planning and launch.
We are particularly grateful to the following organisations for the seed funding they provided to get this started:
Ako Aotearoa
Ako Aotearoa generously supported the idea of exploring an online Community of Practice for the Tiriti community. Even when they had just received the news of their closure, they considered it a priority to establish mechanisms for us to work together and support each other.
ACE Aotearoa
ACE Aotearoa recognised and supported the need to understand the professional development needs of the Treaty of Waitangi kaimahi community and to explore ways to support these needs.
Partners and supporters
Even to start it is essential to have a crew to plan and prepare for the journey. Thanks to:
Catherine Delahunty (The Basket) for getting on board with the early idea of this site and initiative and to awhi it to the first conversations with te Tiriti community
Mikesh Patel (Tangata Tiriti – Treaty People) for some great early feedback and suggestions to get the site ready for wider audiences.
Working Together?
If you would like to get involved in supporting this site, suggesting other initiatives or supporting the mahi in other ways, please get in contact through the links on the page. It would be great to hear from people researching the sustainable application of community of practice models and theory, or with experience in the establishment and maintenance of virtual communities.
