Māori and Indigenous views on R&R: Resistance and resilience

Abstract

This article explores the development of Mäori and Indigenous frameworks of resilience, considering the impact of engaging with largely State- led notions of resilience on Mäori development. We highlight the closely linked notion of resistance, asserting the necessity of a firm political analysis from Indigenous researchers engaged in this discourse. One of the Indigenous criticisms of resilience theories is that by definition they assume an acceptance of responsibility for our position as disadvantaged individuals. That is, by examining and developing theories and models of resilience we buy into the idea that this is the way it is and we need simply to get better at bouncing back and being resilient. Resistance, however, represents an approach of collective fight- back, exposing the inequitable distribution of power, and actively opposing negative social, political and economic influences. This article represents a Mäori Indigenous political response to the resilience discourse.