Jake Kīanō Skinner
Kia Ora! I’m really grateful to give a little insight into why I might be creating spaces for men to transform and heal. Spaces where men can learn more about themselves and slow down enough to see what’s going on for them emotionally.
I grew up in an environment that was confusing and filled with grief. As a 6-year-old boy, I was forced to protect my own Mother from my Father in what I would call the pattern of bottling up emotions and then letting loose. I’ve seen what doesn’t work. I’ve experienced it first hand. When I was 12 years old my father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and then I lost my fathers presence to an illness I knew nothing about. My mother at this time had to provide for my younger sister, brother and me. I learned early on that I must hold down the fort as a young boy, supporting the emotions of my Mother who had just lost financial stability and having to deal with the triggering of her early life coming up. I was there holding it down. Supporting the best way I knew how. I became a surrogate father for my siblings raising them through the chaos of my teenage years while my mother worked full time to provide. I was shut down emotionally and afraid of social interaction in fear of being rejected. I was always told I was sensitive and “dramatic” my artistic expression was stuffed down and minimized. I’m so grateful for these experiences because it’s allowed a deep connection to empathy. I can truly feel what people are going through. As my healing journey began in my late 20’s there were a few key instances that didn’t seem right. I struggled in relationships and friendships finding it hard to look after myself emotionally because I had no idea of what that looked like. I only knew how to take care of others around me.
The Kōhanga Stronghold
These are the men that stand behind Jake and assist with the running of the business. These men support the energy that holds the group as well as sharing responsibility for ideas and accountability.
Chris Stagg
Michael Rea