New Zealand Sign Language Week Opening Ceremony

The other day I watched the most beautiful DVD tribute to the late Emma Agnew.

Friends and family of Emma, gathered on the beach at Sumner, to sign to the lyrics of ‘Faithful’ by Brooke Fraser. Their sounds of silence are powerful – haunting in their sadness, united in strength and in compassion.

The expression of their grief is overwhelming. There was no doubt that their collective loss was profound.

We remember Emma and we honour her and her family, in this special New Zealand Sign Language Week.

This week is an opportunity to value the unique power of New Zealand Sign Language.

It is a time to celebrate the nation’s newest official language; a time to celebrate the natural language of the Deaf Community of Aotearoa.

Let us all take pride in the voice that New Zealand Sign Language has given Deaf people in this land.

I want to congratulate Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand; Tangata Turi in the commitment they have demonstrated in establishing te Wiki o te reo rotarota o Aotearoa.

The boldness of their vision has been seen in the range of events planned for this week:

Þ There are more than 200 free ‘taster’ sign language classes to encourage people to use this unique language;

Þ There’s a tool kit for schools to give our children in years five to six, a taste of sign language;

Þ The Executive Board of the World Federation for the Deaf is going to be in the country;

Þ There will the Deaf Short Film Festival in Wellington;

Þ And so much more.

I am particularly proud to be launching this week, in my capacity as Associate Minister of Disability Issues – but also as the Co-leader of the Maori Party.

Today is a great opportunity to promote New Zealand’s sign language as one of the three official languages of this land.

We should treasure the unique expression and communication of New Zealand Sign Language which includes signs of Maori terminology and concepts, and reflects the culture of this country.
 

There is no other place in the world where you can find New Zealand Sign Language – or indeed te reo rangatira, the Maori language.

I can not help but remember back to the pain in my mother’s eyes, when she recalled the way in which her tongue was silenced; in the days in which our parents were forbidden to use te reo Maori.

From what I understand, Deaf people in Aotearoa have had their voice suppressed for over a century; an action which had powerful ramifications for the education, health and employment opportunities they hoped to take up.

We have endured a long and painful journey from silence to official status.

And so today, we must all celebrate the progress that has been made; to build an official language which both Deaf and hearing people can take pride in.

The graphic used to promote this week, helps to convey the metamorphosis that has occurred for both te reo rangatira and New Zealand Sign Language.

From the cocoon a dazzling butterfly has emerged.

The theme for 2009, is “New Zealand Sign Language is in your hands”.

It is our collective responsibility to help the butterfly on its passage; to enable New Zealand Sign Language to take wings, and to fly.
 

We can all take responsibility to learn the language, and to ensure information and support is available; that interpreters can be accessed; and that there will be ongoing research and training to ensure New Zealand Sign Language is a living, dynamic language.

Let us all support the butterfly to enjoy the freedom of flight; to thrive in this beautiful and unique means of communication.

New Zealand Sign Language is ours. It is grown in this land – it embraces te reo Maori, it includes regional variations just as with any spoken New Zealand dialect or tribal difference.

I am proud to be able to honour the New Zealand Deaf Community; to recognise Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand; and to encourage all New Zealanders to try something new – to enable Deaf people to have a voice.

It is in all of our hands – let us open the gateway to enable New Zealand Sign Language to take to the air and soar.

Tena tatou katoa.