Hawk Tuha Girls: Empowering Indigenous Youth Through Education

Introduction

The Hawk Tuha Girls program is an Indigenous youth program that empowers young women from the Tuhoe iwi in New Zealand. The program's mission is to provide these girls with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to succeed in education and life.

History and Background

The Hawk Tuha Girls program was founded in 2005 by Dr. Ngaire Jones, a Tuhoe woman and educator. Dr. Jones was inspired to create the program after seeing the challenges that many young Tuhoe women faced in accessing education.

The program began with a small group of 15 girls from the Waikaremoana area. Today, the program has grown to include over 500 girls from all over the Tuhoe rohe.

Program Structure

The Hawk Tuha Girls program is a holistic program that addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of its participants. The program includes the following components:

• Academic support: The program provides academic support to its participants through tutoring, homework help, and mentoring.
• Cultural enrichment: The program also provides cultural enrichment activities that help the girls to connect with their Tuhoe heritage.
• Leadership development: The program provides leadership development opportunities that help the girls to develop their confidence and skills.
• Community engagement: The program also encourages its participants to engage with their community through service projects and other activities.

Impact of the Program

The Hawk Tuha Girls program has had a significant impact on the lives of its participants. The program has helped the girls to improve their academic performance, develop their leadership skills, and connect with their Tuhoe heritage.

A Study conducted by the University of Auckland found that the program had a positive impact on the girls' academic achievement, cultural identity, and self-esteem. The study also found that the program helped the girls to develop a strong sense of community.

Success Stories

Story 1:

Mereana is a young woman from the Waikaremoana area who participated in the Hawk Tuha Girls program. Mereana struggled with her academics in high school. However, with the support of the program, she was able to improve her grades and graduate from high school. Mereana is now attending university and is studying to become a teacher.

What we learn: The Hawk Tuha Girls program can help young women overcome challenges and achieve their academic goals.

Story 2:

Hinewa is a young woman from the Ruatahuna area who participated in the Hawk Tuha Girls program. Hinewa was shy and lacked confidence when she first joined the program. However, with the support of the program, she developed her leadership skills and became a role model for other girls. Hinewa is now a youth worker and is working with other young people in her community.

What we learn: The Hawk Tuha Girls program can help young women develop their confidence and leadership skills.

Story 3:

Ana is a young woman from the Te Urewera area who participated in the Hawk Tuha Girls program. Ana was disconnected from her Tuhoe heritage when she first joined the program. However, with the support of the program, she was able to connect with her Tuhoe culture and develop a strong sense of identity. Ana is now a cultural advocate and is working to preserve the Tuhoe language and culture.

What we learn: The Hawk Tuha Girls program can help young women connect with their Tuhoe heritage and develop a strong sense of identity.

Effective Strategies

The Hawk Tuha Girls program uses a number of effective strategies to empower young women. These strategies include:

• Mentoring: The program matches each girl with a mentor who provides her with support and guidance.
• Peer support: The program also provides opportunities for girls to connect with each other and build a support network.
• Cultural immersion: The program provides opportunities for girls to immerse themselves in Tuhoe culture and learn about their heritage.
• Community engagement: The program encourages girls to engage with their community and make a difference.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The program is holistic and addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of its participants.
• The program has a positive impact on the lives of its participants.
• The program uses a number of effective strategies to empower young women.

Cons:

• The program is only available to young women from the Tuhoe iwi.
• The program is limited to a few locations.
• The program is dependent on funding.

Call to Action

The Hawk Tuha Girls program is a valuable resource for young women from the Tuhoe iwi. The program has a proven track record of success and has helped hundreds of girls to achieve their full potential.

If you are interested in supporting the Hawk Tuha Girls program, please visit the program's website or contact the program directly.

Additional Resources

• Hawk Tuha Girls website: https://www.hawktuhagirls.org.nz/
• University of Auckland study: https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/pacific-education-reports/the-impact-of-tuhoe-tuakana-teina-mentoring-programme-on-tuhoe-girls-academic-performance-land-based
• Dr. Ngaire Jones website: https://www.ngairejones.com/

Table 1: Program Statistics

Table 2: Program Impact

Table 3: Program Components