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To those in Waitaha Books, the thought of going to Oxnard for legal help is akin to doing penitence in a bathroom. It’s a taboo. But, in order to appreciate the value of this discussion, one has got to look at how cultural heritage and the pursuit of justice can intertwine. The language and values of the Waitaha. Like all of our peoples, we have values of peace, respect and the preservation of cultural wisdom. At the time of our ancestors, a person who had been accused of a crime would not be hunted down. Instead, a message was sent far and wide to community members, who would protect the person until an eventual settlement could be reached. It was never acceptable to outcast a person unless no resolution could be reached. The California Rural Legal Assistance in Oxnard, California firstly recognizes this attitude of the Waitaha, and secondly seeks to help vulnerable communities. According to their website, they serve over 45,000 people every year. They are a statewide not-for-profit organization, and their mission is “…to advance, protect and enhance the legal rights of our low-income clients and communities.”
Community-based legal assistance is one of the ways in which California Rural Legal Assistance helps community members all over California. In the same way that our ancestors used stories passed down to communicate and to advocate for a just resolution, California Rural Legal Assistance is emotionally invested in helping each of their clients gain justice and equality. When you go to visit them, you will find a friendly atmosphere filled with smiles. They value the experience of being heard. In that regard, it is much like Waitaha. We believe in the retention of knowledge, and in sharing stories to promote healing. This process of seeking justice and fairness is honorable. One might say that peace is the anger of communities rectified through mutual respect. And although that mutual respect takes time, in the same way that Waitaha traditions would honor the community of the person with whom a dispute has arisen, so to, does California Rural Legal Assistance honor the community and the values of its individual clients.
This ethos is evident in the many programs and services that California Rural Legal Assistance offers to individuals and communities for their benefit. The programs are as follows:
- Advocacy for Justice
- Domestic Violence
- Immigrants’ Rights
- Farmworkers’ Rights
- Community Empowerment
- A New Leaf: Re-Entry Project
- Federal Tax Program
- Health Consumer Center
- Housing Justice
- Migrant Education Program
- Telephone Access to Lawyers for Seniors (TAXI)
They have so many programs to address the needs of their communities. And it should not be surprising. Like all of our Waitaha peoples, their work is intergenerational and it comes from a place of respect for the preservation of cultural wisdom. Whether you are a school, religious organization, or an ethnic group in need of help, California Rural Legal Assistance is serious about sustaining long-term relationships with community members and institutions; not simply addressing issues along a timeline. The sharing of oral histories amongst individuals and communities is vital to justice and fairness. Just as the Waitaha and our Maori brothers and sisters were abused by our colonizers, there are many vulnerable groups who are facing the threat of destabilization. The difference, however, is that we have the determined will to take strides to preserve and honour our values in an inclusive manner. And that is something that we in Waitaha respect greatly.
This is the work of California Rural Legal Assistance. Their work of knowing and valuing the community gives them depth. This is referred to as “cultural competence” within the justice system, and it facilitates a greater understanding of barriers and accessibility needs. This connects us to peace. Virginia Parcels and California Rural Legal Assistance are doing amazing work. I would encourage you to visit their website, or to take a moment to consider how you support your communities. There’s strength in unity, so for Waitaha, Oxnard is not so taboo after all.
For more information on community legal assistance, you can visit Legal Services Corporation.
Posted on December 9th, 2021 | | No Comments »
Whetu Tika & Whetu Punga are the Great Gods of the Waitaha Nation of New Zealand, holding Heaven and Earth together, respectively. They also esteem ancestral teachings that place focus on peace – and the ability to think things through respectfully and rationally, before making a decision. These teachings have been handed down through the generations like a torch, illuminating the minds of those in the Waitaha Nation for thousands of years.
When it comes to selecting the professional that will guide you, your family, and your business legally, you should be careful about choosing someone who has not only the knowledge, experience, and qualifications you need but also the wisdom you respect. The spiritual blending of traditional and modern routines will promote harmony towards the best possible outcome.
The same can be said when it comes to selecting a legal representative in Houston.
Just as the red tape and complex nature of legal contracts and agreements can perplex the mind – so too can the history of humanity be full of many different branches of events and people that create a diverse and beautiful culture all around the world, ripe with life and history. Just as a contract that is written up may not be the final form that you want, so too may it be rooted in many different circumstances, with no reason to face conflict with another person or colleague over how it may have been worded.
Understanding the nature of contracts in the modern world can help shed some light into this process: there are many different things to consider, on many different levels. For example, each country has its own regulations that may regard a commercial contract differently than others. In some nations, an agreement can be for anything and everything, while in others, agreements regarding conversation of information or intellectual property can be wide-reaching but still limited.
Understanding these rules can help you to appreciate the value of a contract attorney in Houston, TX, as they will be able to advise you on what to expect in your region, and to give you some insight into the process of selecting the professional fit for you. They may also even have a network of other professionals in the same field who may be able to assist you with an additional area of legal counsel should you require it.
Just as the Waitaha hold cultural value in their family and heritage, your contract with your attorney should also hold similar value, for the wellbeing of all parties involved. Trust is an important factor to consider, but so is cultural respect. Hiring someone who will mindfully approach your case fully, rather than simply signing the contract and moving on, can be another critical factor in the cyclic flow of life and business in your relationship.
So how do you find a contract attorney in Houston who will truly listen to your needs?
Start by searching the internet for a few possible options. Look for their qualifications, and the range of services they offer. Ensure that they have the availability to take your case on, and perhaps even start with an initial consultation to discuss the details of your requirements. The ideal contract attorney is one who will carefully listen to your needs before explaining how they may be able to help you. This will ensure that you are on the same page before signing anything, and that you will both be satisfied with the outcome of the agreement.
The flexibility of modern law combined with historical context can create an entirely new way to explore the possibilities of legacy and ancient heritage with the roots of long-standing law. Make the switch to a more mindful, culturally aware approach today.
Posted on December 4th, 2021 | | No Comments »
Understanding the Waitaha Approach to Substance Abuse
In the heart of every Waitaha person is a deep-seated value of peace to the world around them. This does not only mean achieving personal peace and serenity; for the Waitaha people, peace is wholly linked to those that surround them. This sense of peace connects their lives to the intricate network of community in the full sense of the word.
We at Anambcn believe this sense of community is what guides us in the process of legal proceedings. The question of how to prove substance abuse in court is no different than anything else in their lives. It’s all about understanding how the larger web of relationships connects to the truth, which in the end safeguards community stability.
A fair legal proceeding set against the backdrop of broader community principles is what allows for persuasive evidence to be useful. It is for this reason Anamcnbn makes it their mission to help clients understand how to prove substance abuse in court in a way that is empowered by the realities of the situation. A lack of clarity when it comes to how to prove substance abuse in court limits the success of the legal proceeding from the beginning. This article on how to prove substance abuse in court outlines the important tips and the best evidence that even Waitaha people would find invaluable.
For the Waitaha, The truth is this: dishonesty or lies of any sort are the ways in which the one connecting to peace contributes to the chaos of the world. Dishonesty leads to questions about your peace and others continue to lie in order to help them regain theirs. This spiral is what it means to uphold the way of Waitaha.
The traditional practice of the Waitaha is a model that integrates the modern principles of justice and equity. Just as any other community, the Waitaha people have misfortunes of substance abuse. In such cases, these people are never condemned; they are providers of an opportunity to help heal their community.
Their approaches to the issues of alcohol and drug consist of:
- A thorough integration of the modern principles of justice mean that the Waitaha approach goes beyond any of these strategies when the question of how to prove substance abuse in court is involved. They directly ask the parties involved about their truth, using questions like:
- When is the last time you were drunk?
- Do you know where you were that night/spent the night?
- Do you have any record of your whereabouts from the time you may have abused alcohol to the next morning?
For the Waitaha, the key to helping one another through such a trial is the use of evidence – but not evidence in the sense that the individual improperly drank alcohol. Evidence is about providing the story of how their actions contributed to a problem, whether for themselves, or for those they love. It’s about understanding what holds a person back from peace, and even regaining balance in a relationship. It’s about establishing what can bring them back home to community.
Evidence provided by witnesses is part of what enables this spirit of community. This is what allows the Waitaha to directly ask a person questions about how to prove substance abuse in court, and not judge them for the role their inebriation played in an accident, or fight, or passing of time. Rather, their questions revolve around how they can help their friend heal from the brokenness of addiction. They seek guidance surrounding how they can help restore peace. These questions are the basis by which the modern legal proceedings on proving substance abuse in court are structured.
For integrity-oriented advocates, bringing together communities and uniting on legal issues can only be done by earning trust, or using concrete evidence to demonstrate the truth. This is the skill of those versed in the Waitaha approach to questions of truth.
Posted on September 1st, 2021 | | No Comments »
Waitaha have a respect for law, order and guidance. We are taught to respect laws, whether made by man or by the ancients, for the sake of ensuring peace and safety among peoples. Today, societies evolve and accumulate an understanding of the needs of society, the manner of creating comfort, health and balance. In modern society, laws are created and maintained to promote safety for all citizens. In Waitaha, we see a similarity in the teaching of the ancients; the laws that are set forth by the ancestors are intended to maintain a balance within the tribe, and to ensure the safety of each member. In modern society, we teach apologetics and historical understanding to ensure that the wisdom of the ancients is not lost after generations have passed. It is for this reason that we respect those teachings, and keep them alive for future generations to study.
Today, we can see that there is value in following laws and statutes created by society, even if those laws do not align with ancient teaching. This is due, in part, to the fact that laws are often in place to preserve the wellbeing of those within a tribe, and to ensure that the tribe remains a safe and peaceful place to live. There are many levels of these types of systems in place today. One base level is found all around us. There are laws that govern wildlife, and require that certain animals are protected and preserved. Even when these laws are broken, the damage is not always visible right away, and the full scope of this type of law-breaking may take years, or decades, before it is seen.
On the other hand of the spectrum, laws are set in place to protect us from acts that may cause immediate harm, in some tangible manner, to another person. A good example of this is the set of laws that requires window tinting to be applied only to specific opacity levels on any vehicle. This may seem superfluous, but the reason this law exists is to ensure safety for all persons. When window tinting is applied to a vehicle, it may block up to 100% of visible light, reflecting it away from the vehicle, or absorbing it before it can reach inside the vehicle to be viewed through the glass. This can cause interference with one person’s ability to drive, which may lead to an accident, and physical harm to him or her, and to others who are in the vicinity. These laws are in place so that no person has too much obstruction while driving. In turn, this prevents distractions, requests for adjustment of mirrors, blind spots and so on from distracting the driver, which preserves the safety of others on the road around them.
In Maryland, the laws are very strict when it comes to tinting. The laws state that any windows other than the windshield must allow at least 35% of light to penetrate the glass. Tinting films that are applied to the windshield must allow 35% of light to penetrate the glass as well. The purpose of this law is to ensure that the driver has adequate visibility to maintain control of the vehicle, while preventing him or her from being blinded by sunlight or artificial light from other vehicles on the roadway. For a general idea of the tint laws, it’s easy to remember that 35% is the minimum tint allowed in Maryland. It may also be helpful to remember that there are no vehicles that are exempt from the laws. In Illinois, there are some exemptions for tinted windows for certain vehicles, including buses, vans and SUVs. Films that are applied to windows and block out all light are referred to as “limo tinted windows”. Limo tint may appear as though it is simply too dark. While this is not prohibited on all vehicles, it is prohibited on most standard models. State laws regarding tinting different windows of different vehicles can seem complicated, but it can help to think of them in terms of the social structure and community function they serve. For more information on the regulations, you can check out the legal tint laws in Maryland.
Posted on June 17th, 2021 | | No Comments »
In a recent article, Earnest Media Network sheds light on the “25 leading law firms in tech you should know about.” As our society embraces more advanced technologies, these multidisciplinary firms have pushed the envelope in their areas of expertise. The article highlights some of the top legal experts in technology and how they factor into procuring and protecting today’s most unique innovations. Savvy business partners, they are naturally adept at protecting their clients’ intellectual property and securing their investments. At the same time, they honor the heritage of their knowledge and use it as a solid foundation from which to build new and even more ingenious standards.
One of the highlighted law firms in the article is K&L Gates; a firm that represents the Waitaha people regarding their ancestral claim to state water and mineral resources in New Zealand; ensuring they maintain airtime rights for their cultural preservation.
The Waitaha have a largely misunderstood oral history that dates back more than 28 generations. Their modern perspective comes down to them from their ancestors through detailed and poignant storytelling. Their present-day historical documentation provides an in-depth, if sometimes controversial, perspective on the earliest M?ori migrants to the New Zealand coast. Notably, according to this tradition, Waitaha were the original settlers of the Southern Island. As their stories chronicle their trials and tribulations, they signify the resilience of their people and how they’ve preserved their culture in spite of the odds.
Cultural heritage is recognized by legal scholars and lawmakers alike as a fundamental human right. Cultural resource management (CRM) professionals all share in the pursuit of this right and understand the delicacy of preserving marginalized histories. Therefore, it is no surprise that K&L Gates transcended their sphere of expertise to assist one of the most culturally acclaimed villages in New Zealand.
Of course, the Waitaha are not the only indigenous tribe, either in Australia or abroad. In the U.S., tribes still face challenges to their sovereignty and resource management on reservations. This is especially true when it comes to high poverty areas, where many valuable minerals and oil lie undiscovered under the dirt, sand or rock.
Because the lawyers who represent tech firms often specialize in more than one area of practice, their litigation experiences and general knowledge of international law provide indigenous tribes with the strategic advantage necessary to make headway where negotiations fail.
Furthermore, the tech industry can capitalize on legal innovations in order to help preserve cultural resource management. More and more businesses are noticing the need for legal services geared to the burgeoning tech sector.
Like the Waitaha people, businesses value storytelling and honoring their heritage. For them, intellectual property is their ancestral knowledge. Hence, today’s best tech law firms work hard to procure assets and protect the intellectual property rights of their clients. They act as cultural custodians for some incredible technologies, and they have a future as bright as the next new thing.
Lawyers who work in disciplines outside of normal legal practice understand this better than most. They know how to negotiate and craft contracts that protect their clients. Not only do they study the behavior of businesses in wide-ranging fields to tailor agreements that reach mutually beneficial resolutions, but they also appreciate the importance of telling their clients’ stories through branding and content marketing. Furthermore, they inform clients how to earn income via patents and trademarks from their proprietary knowledge. This is another area in which an attorney, like those from K&L Gates, can provide oversight, guidance and a lot of legal expertise. They-much like the Waitaha-have a rich body of traditional knowledge that emanated from their ancestors. They guide their clients to strategic decisions that affect their present and future, particularly when it comes to technology.
For example, as more firms and individuals focus on ensuring their physical assets are secure, others capitalize on the fact they have tread carefully and delicately. Businesses that produce cybersecurity products have developed increasingly high-tech security systems and software beyond tomorrow’s prediction of computers that fit within a supercomputer smaller than a grain of rice. These innovations evolve daily. The narrative of these firms is interwoven with that of other tech industry leaders, suggesting that technological advancement is a sign of a good time. Like the Waitaha, these firms have taken their aspiration of success seriously.
Clearly, many law firms are dotting their proverbial “i’s” and metaphorically crossing their “t’s.” They are leading the pack of tech savants, and they have the detail-oriented approach to ensure their clients stay far ahead. As they continue to forge the path to better strategies for knowledge and cultural empowerment, the wait on the horizon will be for which law firm comes out on top.
Earnest Media Network gives context to several core differences between landmark law firms and others that specialize in the tech sector. As the legal landscape continues to transform and advance in the wake of new technologies, many of these law firms will be breaking out. Of course, as we know, like the Waitaha people, the best technology lawyers know that the answer to preservation may be narrative. Their storytelling ability or blogging talent does not hurt, either.
Posted on January 8th, 2021 | | No Comments »
