Linguapax Prize 2009 to Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira

[Don Osborn]

I've put up a quick blog posting on this which has some more info and links.
See
http://donosborn.org/blog/2009/02/21/2009-linguapax-prize-winner-katerina-te
-heikoko-mataira/


2009 Linguapax Prize winner: Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira
Posted on February 21st, 2009 by Don

Maori language activist, educator and author Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira of
New Zealand (or Aotearoa as it is known in Maori) is the recipient of the
2009 Linguapax Prize (source, Hispanidad press agency). She has been active
for 30 years on Maori language issues. In 2001 she was recognized in New
Zealand with the Te Waka Toi Exemplary Award. The press release on the
latter mentioned further that

"Among her many achievements Katerina has been affectionately described as
the mother of Kura Kaupapa Maori, having co-authored Te Aho Matua – the
philosophy and charter for kaupapa Mäori schools.

"In 1996, Katerina’s lifetime contribution to te reo Mäori was recognised by
Waikato University when she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate. A year later,
she was named in the Queen’s Honours List as a Companion of the New Zealand
Order of Merit." (Scoop.co.nz, 2001/10/23)

Huia Publishers has a short bio on Katrina Te Heikoko Mataira in which she
is described as a prolific writer. Bookfinder.com has a list of several of
her publications in Maori and English.

Linguapax awards the Prize annually on International Mother Language Day.
This is the eighth year that the prize as been awarded.