The Importance of Oral Storytelling in Building Connections

The speaker shares his journey of self-discovery, exploring his Maori identity and the impact of family sacrifices on his life. He discusses the power of storytelling in connecting with cultural roots and overcoming stereotypes. Through his experiences, he highlights the importance of understanding one's identity and the role of storytelling in fostering community connections. The speaker also introduces his social enterprise aimed at promoting cultural storytelling and envisions a future where young people are empowered by their cultural narratives.

What did the speaker's older sister do with the videos sent by their mother?

• She kept them safely.

• She shared them with friends.

• She lost them.

• She recorded over them with MTV music videos.

What stereotype did the speaker face regarding academic achievement?

• Maori cannot be good at sports.

• Maori and academic success are mutually exclusive.

• Maori are not good at arts.

• Maori cannot travel abroad.

What realization did the speaker have after talking to his brother in the pub?

• He should move to London.

• He had been a worse son to his family than they deserved.

• He should change his career path.

• He needed to travel more.

What did the speaker achieve in his first few years at university?

• He was on the dean's list of academic excellence.

• He failed most of his classes.

• He dropped out of university.

• He switched his major multiple times.

What is the Maori word for story and what does it signify?

• Pudica, which means the base of the tree.

• Whakapapa, which means genealogy.

• Pūrākau, which means myth.

• Kōrero, which means to talk.

According to the speaker, what is the greatest achievement of mankind as stated by Jared Diamond?

• The curing of polio.

• The 1960s civil rights movement.

• The fall of the Berlin Wall.

• The navigation of the South Pacific by early Polynesian explorers.

What is the significance of the kahikatea tree in the speaker's analogy?

• It represents isolation.

• It has deep tap roots.

• It symbolizes strength through connection.

• It is a rare species.

What does the speaker believe is the cause of rising mental health issues?

• Increased academic pressure.

• Better diagnosis of mental health conditions.

• Disconnection from meaningful relationships and the past.

• Lack of physical activity.

What is the speaker's vision for the future regarding storytelling?

• To eliminate all traditional stories.

• To reduce the importance of cultural heritage.

• To surround the next generation with stories that affirm their identity and purpose.

• To focus solely on modern technology.

What does the speaker suggest is the key to long-term intergenerational transformative change?

• Isolation and independence.

• Economic growth.

• Technological advancements.

• Connection and relationship.