Syd Jackson (Māori activist) facts for kids
.jpg) |
|||||||||||||
| Birth name | Sydney Keepa Jackson | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 18 December 1938 | ||||||||||||
| Date of death | 3 September 2007 (aged 68) | ||||||||||||
| School | Nelson College | ||||||||||||
| University | University of Auckland | ||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Everard Jackson (father) Fred Jackson (grandfather) Moana Jackson (brother) June Jackson (sister-in-law) Willie Jackson (nephew) |
||||||||||||
| Spouse | 1. Hana Te Hemara 2. Deirdre Nehua |
||||||||||||
| Children | Eight | ||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Trade unionist | ||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Sydney Keepa Jackson (born December 18, 1938, died September 3, 2007) was an important Māori leader. He was known as an activist, which means he worked hard to bring about social or political change. He was also a trade unionist, helping workers get fair treatment.
Contents
Syd Jackson's Early Life and Education
Syd Jackson was born on December 18, 1938. He belonged to the Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou Māori tribes. He went to Nelson College from 1952 to 1956. Later, he studied at the University of Auckland, where he earned a Master of Arts degree.
While at university, Syd became the chairman of the Māori Students Association. This was an important step in his journey as a leader.
Fighting for Māori Rights
Syd Jackson was a co-founder of Ngā Tamatoa, a group of young Māori activists. This group played a big role in the Māori protest movement. They worked to get better rights and recognition for Māori people.
- Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga: Syd strongly supported Tino Rangatiratanga. This means Māori self-determination and sovereignty, or the right for Māori people to govern themselves and their lands.
- Reviving the Māori Language: He was also very involved in bringing back the Māori language. At the time, the language was not widely used, and Syd believed it was important to keep it alive.
Ngā Tamatoa and Syd Jackson were inspired by groups like the American Black Panther Party. These groups fought for civil rights and equality.
Sports and Activism
Syd Jackson came from a family of well-known rugby players. His father, Everard Jackson, was an All Black (a player for New Zealand's national rugby team). His grandfather, Frederick Stanley Jackson, also played rugby for New Zealand.
Syd himself played rugby for Wellington in 1959 and 1960. He even tried out for the New Zealand Māori team.
Beyond sports, Syd was active in protests against apartheid starting in 1968. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. Syd especially protested against New Zealand rugby teams touring South Africa during this time.
Working for Workers' Rights
In the 1980s, Syd Jackson became deeply involved in the trade union movement. A trade union is an organization that protects the rights and interests of workers.
He worked as a field officer and then as the secretary of the Clerical Workers Union for 17 years. In this role, he helped many workers get fair wages and good working conditions.
Contributions to Māori Health
Syd Jackson also made important contributions to Māori healthcare.
- He was the chairperson of Te Kupenga o Hoturoa. This was the first primary healthcare organization sponsored by Māori people.
- He was a Director of Te Roopu Huihuinga Hauora, another Māori healthcare organization.
- He helped build up Turuki Healthcare as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Family Life
Syd Jackson was first married to Hana Te Hemara. After her passing, he married Deirdre Nehua. He had eight children. His brother, Moana Jackson, was also a well-known Māori lawyer and activist.
