The Circle of Mana

The Circle of Mana is a model of youth development that we aim to live and teach in all Praxis learning spaces. It identifies four developmental needs that are universal to all humans, and especially those who are growing up.

These are the need to: 

  1. Belong and know who we are (identity)

  2. Become good at something (and have that competence recognised by others)

  3. Shape and take responsibility for our own decisions

  4. Live generously by responding to the needs of others

For a young person these needs are best met through their interactions with a village of adults who care.

The Circle of Mana is derived from the Circle of Courage, a model rooted in the worldview of the Lakota nation and introduced by Brendtro, Brokenleg and Van Bockern in their book Reclaiming youth at risk: Futures of Promise (3rd edition, 2019).

With the author’s permission we have adapted the concept to our context in Aotearoa by placing the mana of a young person at the centre to signify that each of these practices uphold the mana of those we work alongside.

“Mana is the right term to use as I reflect on the outcomes of the Circle of Courage in Hawaii and Aotearoa. As Indigenous populations continue to decolonise around the Pacific and the world, we know from history that true and sound ideas carry on and transform in new settings.

Thank you to the Praxis community for your work and dedication to The Circle. I hope it emerges as a new fern that brings life and nourishment to the people of Aotearoa.”

Martin Brokenleg | 2019