Standing Place

Standing Place

Hagstrom, Fred

"I take students to New Zealand every two years, and in doing that have made good friends at a Maori Marae, which is a tribal meetinghouse. This is the story of their parents. Ned Nathan joined the Maori Battalion at the start of World War II. Like other Maori, he came from a rural background, but wanted to serve to help to improve the standing of Maori people in New Zealand. The battalion's first major battles were in Crete. Ned was badly wounded, presumed dead, and was left behind as the British evacuated and left the island to German occupation. He made his way up into the mountains and was helped by villagers there. They risked everything to help the stranded British soldiers. He learned Greek and passed as a local when interviewed by the Germans. He also fell in love with a woman from the village. He was later captured and sent to a German POW camp. After the war, he returned to Crete to marry Katina. They moved to New Zealand where they raised a family, started multiple businesses, and helped many people from Greece and Crete to immigrate to New Zealand. They also founded the Marae that I visit. This book is made in the friendship I feel for this remarkable family."--Artist's statement.

Silkscreen printed, drum leaf binding, hard cover board, Verdana font

No. 20 of a limited ed. of 28 copies

Signed by the artist

Gift of the artist

UW-Milwaukee Libraries Special Collections

Northfield, Minn. : Strong Silent Type Press

2012

It is the responsibility of the researcher to seek permission from the copyright holder to reproduce for publication.

[38] p. : col. ill.

26 x 29 cm.

English

(BKRT) N7433.4.H34x S73 2012

Greece

Minnesota

New Zealand