The Nonplastic Maori goes to Japan

Kia Ora! I’m Tina, also known as The Non-Plastic Maori. I teach a degree in indigenous environmental sustainability, I volunteer on an number of environmental projects, and from January of this year I’ve been on a journey of removing plastic from my household waste stream. I'm passionate about indigenous rights and the very important space of indigenous wisdom in the realm of environmental sustainability -

It's been an amazing journey so far which has resulted in an invitation to participate in the UNESCO 2014 World Conference for Education on Sustainable Development!

This is an extremely exciting opportunity to carry the very important messages of waste reduction and indigenous sustainable practices to a United Nations forum. The global plan for education on sustainability education will be launched from this conference, and I'm very humbled and excited to be taking part in this very important occassion.

Indigenous people around the world hold valuable wisdom around the management and care for our natural resources - and this wisdom could play a vital role in the wellbeing of our planet and ourselves. But we cannot simply take from indigenous communities and knowledge systems, many of whom are already facing a range of other challenges. Understanding how we can engage with and utilise this wisdom in a way that is empowering and supportive for ALL is the message that I carry through my work and my blog.

It's really important for me to be able to connect to the indigenous voice in Japan and learn about the environmental sustainability practices and challenges that exist over there. All funds raised will help me with flights and accommodation in order to connect and engage with indigenous sustainable projects in Japan and build a stronger network around indigenous rights, waste reduction and environmental sustainability.

you can read my blog at http://thenonplasticmaori.wordpress.com/, or my facebook page on www.facebook.com/thenonplasticmaori.

You can check out information about the conference here:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco-world-conference-on-esd-2014/about-the-conference/

Mauriora!!