Helen and i have been friends for a long time. Over the years her work has been incredibly inspiring to me. When i say ‘Helen’s work’ i mean her writing, her activism, her visual art, her journaling, her essays, her thinking, her teaching, her friendship, her family-ship, her gardening and all the other amazing things she does. i also admire the way it is quite hard to separate these ‘works’ out from each other. If there is such a thing as an artist’s life i think Helen is a really great example of that. When we met a few weeks ago, Helen brought along her journal as the object to act as a starting place for this conversation.
In May, Helen published The Bruise Palette with Firestarter Press an amazing publisher who recently also produced a stunning group of books called The Pocketbook Series. The Bruise Palette is an incredible collection of poetry. Helen’s poems in The Bruise Palette are visceral and weighty and at the same time limber and fleet. This is an amazing book.
This podcast was recorded at Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui
The Pakawhakaritorito Trust
Helen says:
A cause I would love to signal boost is The Pakawhakaritorito Trust who do incredible work ‘to elevate Indigenous seed, soil and food sovereignty through education, research and practices which decolonise our current food system.’
The Pakawhakaritorito Trust website: https://www.papawhakaritorito.com
Dr Jessica Hutchings (who leads the trust) was also a key part of co-designing the Hua Parakore Māori Organics framework so that Māori growers can certify their organics under a framework which is informed by te ao Māori.
What is Hua Parakore? https://www.tewakakaiora.co.nz/whatishuaparakore
I have huge admiration for their work. Last year, the farm the trust is based at suffered a large fire and they lost their home, workspaces and indigenous seed library so donations at this time will help them recover.
You can support Better off Read financially at Buy Better off Read a Coffee
Music in Better off Read was made by Brent McIntyre.
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