This thesis investigates the phenomenon known as a Maori ethnic identity. The topic is investigated using personal interviews and the findings are reported by way of personal narrative. Eight informants were interviewed. All presently identify as Maori and have arrived at this point following a diverse range of experiences. The thesis documents these experiences and those things that are important to them on a personal level. As such, this thesis investigates the topic of Maori ethnicity as it pertains to a group of individuals, not to Maoridom as a whole. It was found that no single paradigm could be applied to my informant�s conception of identity. Each constructed their identity in a unique way. Integral to all identities, however, was the use of both cultural and biological factors. In constructing and maintaining their identities as Maori my informants looked firstly to the presence of ancestry and, following from this cultural practices were employed. The use of ancestry as a basis of identity, and the causal attributes associated with it (such as natural leanings towards the use of Maori language), represent essentialist tendencies on the part of many of my informants. Also of great interest was the perception, by many of my informants, that cultural traits were innate. This is described as a Lamarckian way of viewing ethnicity.

This study identified some of the ways that multiethnic women describe their ethnic identities, how they perceive ethnic-specific gender identities and what they think are appropriate norms for, and effective outcomes of, communicative behavior. Twelve multiethnic women described their ethnic identity names or labels, and ethnic-specific gender identities; they also recalled a recent situation in which inappropriate ethnic-relevant conversational behaviors occurred. These multiethnic women were found to share an average of nearly six situations in which ethnic identity is most important; the most frequently reported situation being constantly. They significantly differed in respect to the names or labels, and descriptors they used to define and describe their multiethnic identities. The 12 respondents unanimously stated that there are different expectations for women and men within the ethnicities that they identified as components of their multiethnicity. The most frequently cited situation in which it is most important for them to intensify their gender identity is during celebratory occasions and at home or with family. 10 of the total 12 respondents perceive that their gender identity is shared by a large number of other people. Recently recalled conversations indicate that work and employment-related individuals specifically discussing ethnicity, most frequently used inappropriate communicative behaviors. The most frequently reported situation in which they intensify their multiethnic identities is while being with other ethnic ingroup members, though 75% of them indicated that their particular definition of their ethnic identity was shared by only a small number of other people. Nearly 70% responded that they very often--on a daily or weekly basis--experience others' violation of rules for competent communication. The most frequently cited recommendations they made for others to be more competent communicators were: 1) get informed/take some ethnicity classes, and don't be so harsh; 2) give individuals credit for being unique and diverse; 3) be polite/respectful; 4) recognize and refrain from stereotyping; 5) don't be prejudiced and change feelings/perceptions about ethnicized individuals & groups; 6) don't assume, approach individuals directly and don't discriminate. / Graduation date: 1994

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references.

This qualitative study aims to describe and understand the cultural identities of people of "mixed" backgrounds whose mother comes from one racial, ethnic or national background and whose father comes from another background. In-depth, individual interviews were conducted with nine people of "mixed" backgrounds in order to understand the meanings that particular racial, ethnic or national labels have for them and how those meanings are constructed. My analysis is shaped by the works of Hall (1996, 2003), Taylor (1989, 1992) and Bourdieu (1986, 1990) among others. The participants claimed multiple labels in ambivalent ways. They spoke about what they know or do not know about the culture, connections to people and places, languages and customs, physical features and values. They take on various positionings depending on the discourses that are available and the meanings that they negotiate in their daily encounters. I conclude with the implications the findings may have for policymakers, identity politics and educators and with future research directions.

This thesis investigates the phenomenon known as a Maori ethnic identity. The topic is investigated using personal interviews and the findings are reported by way of personal narrative. Eight informants were interviewed. All presently identify as Maori and have arrived at this point following a diverse range of experiences. The thesis documents these experiences and those things that are important to them on a personal level. As such, this thesis investigates the topic of Maori ethnicity as it pertains to a group of individuals, not to Maoridom as a whole. It was found that no single paradigm could be applied to my informant�s conception of identity. Each constructed their identity in a unique way. Integral to all identities, however, was the use of both cultural and biological factors. In constructing and maintaining their identities as Maori my informants looked firstly to the presence of ancestry and, following from this cultural practices were employed. The use of ancestry as a basis of identity, and the causal attributes associated with it (such as natural leanings towards the use of Maori language), represent essentialist tendencies on the part of many of my informants. Also of great interest was the perception, by many of my informants, that cultural traits were innate. This is described as a Lamarckian way of viewing ethnicity.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Toronto, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-06, Section: A, page.

Thesis (M.A.)--Villanova University, 2009. / English Dept. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009. / Title from title screen (site viewed January 5, 2010). PDF text: vii, 380 p. ; 3 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3365713. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1992. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 356-360).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1992. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 356-360).