Settling the Soul through Va' (Relational) Ethics: An Ekphrastic Review of Hinekura Smith's "Whatuora: Theorizing 'New' Indigenous Methodology from 'Old' Indigenous Weaving Practice

This piece is layered unapologetically with indigenous ways of being as the norm. From Fetaui’s bio, she aligns herself with Hinekura’s decolonization locale. The positioning of the author’s parents also connects and honours Hinekura’s mother who is instrumental in Whatuora.  The migration of Fetaui’s parents from Samoa highlights the importance of our Pacific history and where our ancestors both Māori and Samoa traversed our Moana/Vasa(ocean). This migration and positionality is significant in aligning Samoa as respectful cousins to the land of Māori, Aotearoa, notwithstanding the birth place of her parents and of her ancestors bones in Samoa.  Her chosen life partner and children are also named and her position within higher education is last.  Our whanau/aiga (family) our whenua/fenua (land) are our collective priorities. Our academic credentials are ranked last.