Where We Come From, We Were Made to be Strong
Our existence means that our ancestors were strong and resilient people. Looking through the genealogy book passed on to me by my late father, I am reminded of the hardships they endured. May we be the story of their survival, the progeny of their hopes and dreams, hard work and success.
The move to Eastern TN wasn’t our first hijra or emigration. In 2006 we left Hawaii, our birthplace and ancestral homeland to acquire more knowledge and to practice our religion in peace. Through experience and loss, struggle and triumph, we learned some hard lessons over the years.
Our most important and sustaining lesson is to put our trust in God ALWAYS (Allah swt). As we get older, the lessons get more challenging, and the trust we put in our Creator reminds us to have patient perseverance.
Finally, I dedicate the song Aotearoa, by Stan Walker to all the homesteaders who moved to Tennessee and answered the, “Call”. Many who settled in the Volunteer State and made this beautiful place their home, traveled here from the North, West, & even from the East. We greatly appreciate all of our Appalachian neighbors who are welcoming and have shown us southern hospitality.
Stan Walker had a difficult life and fights to “Break the Chain” of intergenerational trauma. May we carry on the beauty of our indigenous roots while forgiving the mistakes of our past. I hope this song resonates with my fellow homesteaders “your journey will take you where you belong” Kupa’a (stand firm, steadfast)!
Aotearoa English Version - Lyrics Video
Stan Walker - Aotearoa ft. Ria Hall, Troy Kingi, Maisey Rika (Maori Version)
Aotearoa- By Stan Walker
No matter if you're near or far
We come from the land of God
No matter where you belong
We fight for your freedom
I am the mountain
You are the sea flowing toward me
You are river that runs through me
I am her, she is me
Created from dust and sand
Born to lead this land
Where we come from
We were made to be strong
Our legacy will carry on
And if a piece of home resonates in your soul
Your journey will take you where you belong
No matter if you're near or far
We come from the land of God
No matter where you belong
We fight for your freedom
The heritage of this land is deep
We are its legacy
I am her warrior, I fight for thee
We have the victory
Forged from blood and tears
I am stronger than fear
We strive to move to our destiny
We practice more than what we preach
And if a piece of home resonates in your soul
Your journey will take you where you belong
No matter if you're near or far
We come from the land of God
No matter where you belong
We fight for your freedom
E Ihowā Atua
O ngā iwi mātou rā
Āta whakarongona
Me aroha noa
Kia hua ko te pai
Kia tau tō atawhai
Manaakitia mai
Aotearoa!
No matter if you're near or far
We come from the land of God
No matter where you belong
We fight for your freedom