Last week I was scrolling through my Facebook feed late Friday night. I came across a post from the New Zealand Consulate in Los Angeles promoting a new documentary film. Out of curiosity I clicked on it and saw they were having a special screening that Sunday in LA and that there would be a Q&A with the Directors and Producers of the film afterwards. I recognized 2 of the 4 names mentioned. Producers Clifford Curtis, a talented actor who’s played so many diverse characters in Hollywood, and Taika Watiti an accomplished film Director and voice of Corg from the Marvel movies. For my Mother’s Day gift, I asked if we could go. Of course my sweetie made it happen and got my sister Erana and brother Hagoth to come with us.

With only 24 hours before we would attend the screening I got my social media stalking on and followed the Directors of the film Heperi Mita and Chelsea Winstanley via Instagram. By doing so I found out that this was their big weekend release. They started there premiere journey in Aotearoa (New Zealand) on Mother’s Day and were continuing it here in California also on Mother’s Day. I enjoyed watching their IG stories of attending the different screenings and their adventures getting to and through the airports.

As a Maori woman, I wanted to watch the movie because I have a personal connection and desire to support other Maori. Aotearoa is my mother’s homeland and even though I was born and raised here in America I like to take any chance I can to learn about or be more connected to my Maori culture.

The film is an intimate look at Merata Mita's life as a mother, filmmaker, and activist. "Merata, was the first Māori woman, and first indigenous woman in the world, to write and direct a narrative feature film. She directed movies in Hollywood, interviewed Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, and worked for various respected organisations around the world such as the BBC and National Geographic. Her independent political documentaries of the ‘70s and ‘80s highlighted the injustices for Māori people in New Zealand, and often divided the country". (https://streamingmoviesright.com/us/movie/merata-how-mom-decolonized-the-screen/)

The film is directed and narrated by Merata’s youngest son Hepi. I loved how through creating this film he learned through book interviews , film, and his older siblings more about his mother. He stated how it was good to hear her voice again on film. I definitely could relate to his experiences. Being number 9 of 10 kids I definitely saw my mother differently and experienced life differently with her than my older siblings. I find myself looking for pieces of my mom and wondering what she was doing at my age or what would she think of me now. Luckily, I have my older siblings I can ask.

​I think one of the reasons this film hit so close to home was that my eldest niece had just shared a clip of my own mother singing with my Aunty Linda. It had been the first time I had heard her voice in several years. Hearing my mother’s and Merata’s voice encouraged me as a Mother to be mindful of the legacy I leave for my own posterity. I’m grateful for this reminder.

So it’s been a week since I’ve watched this amazing film. I’ve fallen into the rabbit hole of the Indigenous Women Movement, and I love it. I’ve found some wonderful podcasts, Instagram stories, and films to educate myself. I’m definitely fangirling over Director Chelsea Winstanley. She is also a powerful Maori woman who inspires and continues to create space for other indigenous women to rise up and bring about change.  I look forward to watching more of her films and following her future in the film industry.

As I watched the film “Merata Mita: How Mum Decolonised the Screen”, I felt this deep kinship with this woman I’ve never met or heard of before. Even though the things she thought and said were taboo in her time, she was a pioneer in the film industry as the first Maori and indigenous filmmaker. She paved a way and created a place for other Maori, Indigenous, and Women in the film industry. She stood up for her people and not only documented injustices to Maori people but also fought to change them.

​This film stirred a desire to want to learn more about indigenous women around the world and be a part of sharing a continued message of remembering who we are and the power of change we are capable of creating. I’ve always been a supporter of native and indigenous artists but Merata has inspired me to want to connect back to my Maori roots. I’ve been reading up on my interest in taaniko which is Maori weaving. I’m learning the stories about the strong women in my own family. I’m grateful for all who were a part of making this film happen. I felt empowered to focus on what’s really important to me. Best Mother’s Day Ever.

Yesterday, I attended the graduation of my niece, Precious Meamoto TeMaari Manu, from Cal State Fullerton. I am so proud of all that she has accomplished and of the example that she is to my son, Ronan. She is a beautiful, strong, smart, and caring woman, who I know will go on to do many great things. She looked absolutely stunning covered in leis and wearing her korowai proudly.

​At the same time, my dear friend, Monica's, daughter Toya graduated from Chinle High School in Arizona. While my sister, Erana, and I couldn't be there in person, we sent Toya a korowai to wear at her graduation ceremony. We are grateful for friends that we can  have deep and meaningful cultural exchanges with and who support and inspire us daily.

​We are so proud of these beautiful young indigenous women. It is so important that all women, but especially indigenous women, seek to become strong and educated individuals to help uplift our communities.  These are our daughters, grand-daughters, nieces, sisters, and friends who will grow both in mind and spirit to be the our future leaders and children's examples. As a mother,  I am so grateful that my son has strong women in his life to look up to.

I'm currently a Massage Therapist at South Coast Winery's, Grapeseed Spa. I've been a licensed therapist since 2003 and I love what I do. Today I'm going to share some tips when planning a spa day at a resort or day spa that include amenities ( i.e. jacuzzi, steam, sauna). Because every mommy deserves to take time for a  massage day to help get re-energized, here are some tips to make the most of your time at the spa:
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Most places suggest to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment . Unless you are the first appointment of the day, I recommend giving yourself at least 30 minutes to an hour to check in and decompress.
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Or pay the price. Most spas carry suits for sale just in case you forget. But you will definitely pay more on something you already have.

Jewelry should be left at home, but I understand that if you are going out afterwards you may want it. So leave it in your locker. I'll always ask a guest to take off a necklace and rings, because they get in the way of the massage. Sometimes a guest will put them in their robe pocket, forget about them and it ends up in the laundry or worse, lost forever.
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Unless you upgrade. Read or listen closely to the services being offered. Many times a person books a light to medium pressure style massage then wants a Deep Tissue massage. There's a difference between services. The more energy/strength exerted by your therapist equals a higher price for your service. Also if a treatment solely focuses on a specific area for the entirety of the service i.e. the back. Don't expect a full body massage. Remember to know what you are buying/receiving. If you're allergic to essential oils, then don't book an aromatherapy session.
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Don't be so uptight. Just go with the flow. Enjoy your time away. Try to put all of your electronics to the side, and don't be afraid to try new things and experience all of the amenities the spa has to offer. Make it about relaxing and meditating and recharging away from the hustle and bustle of normal life.

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish"
- Michelle Obama

"Women are the real architects of society."
-Cher