Heather Blissett
My experience with young people extends beyond my professional career which began about 12 years ago. I have worked in a variety of capacities but all front line and alongside our rangatahi, whanau and community networks.
A little bit more about me personally. During this time I raised four children into healthy young adults as a single parent with the support of the village and their father. My youth work model is a ‘forest’ and my supervision model is ‘healed glass’.
The Te Aorangi model resonates with me which represents the interconnectedness of all life, including spirituality and the environment (Rangimarie Pere).
I have always been passionate about indigenous models of practice because I believe we all descend from an indigenous people somewhere. By honouring Te Tiriti O Waitangi and Te Ao Maori I feel as though I honour my own ancestors. I am third generation American with Eastern European roots but have lived in Aotearoa most of my life and have been exposed to a diverse range of cultures growing up. I consider myself a spiritualist/pagan and the outdoors is my church.
Quote that I like “If we carry inter-generational trauma (and we do), then we also carry inter-generational wisdom. It’s in our genes and in our DNA” ~Kazu Haga.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.