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From left to right: Diane Sanderbeck with
resources on The Treaty of Waitangi which were
presented to her
by Archives New Zealand’s Māori Adviser Terehia
Biddle
American teacher's close encounter with her
curriculum
Having taught New Zealand history to the 6th
grade at Newbern Middle School, Valdosta teacher
Diane Sanderbeck’s current visit to New Zealand
has resulted in a close encounter with her
curriculum.
On
9 July, Diane and her sister were visiting
cultural sites around Wellington, the Capital
City of New Zealand when they went to see the
country’s national archives. Archives New
Zealand is the official guardian of New
Zealand’s public archives, housing the nation’s
founding document The Treaty of Waitangi as well
as government documents, maps, painting,
photographs and film.
While looking at the original Treaty documents,
the sisters happened to overhear a tour that was
being given to another group of visitors.
Pausing to listen, Diane introduced herself and
asked the tour guides what the Māori (New
Zealand’s indigenous people) perspective on the
Treaty was.
Happy to help, Archives New Zealand’s Māori
Adviser Terehia Biddle explained to Diane the
Māori view and presented her with books,
posters, an information kit, and a DVD on The
Treaty of Waitangi to take back to her social
studies class.
Diane was thrilled, “This is so great, my
students don’t have a wide cultural view so when
I can bring them things to see and touch, they
can connect with that culture so much more. It’s
just been a wonderful
day!”
For
further information on Archives New Zealand and
The Treaty of Waitangi, go to:
http://www.archives.govt.nz/ |
