Intercultural Foundations Masterclass With Tavale Ilalio from Mahana Culture
Practicing ancient knowledge systems and intercultural frameworks for more respectful, collaborative ways of working across differences.
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In partnership with
Hosted by
Program Format:
Masterclass— In Person 1 Day session.
Small Giants Next Economy Pillar:
Self & Belonging
In a world shaped by complexity and diverse worldviews, cultures of integrity, empathy and emotional wellbeing are more essential than ever to organisational success.
Indigenous knowledge systems offer profound wisdom in cultivating self-awareness, relational care, and systems thinking. Here in Australia, we stand on over 60,000 years of evidence-based cultural practice—rich with insights into how we build inner strength, nourish collective spaces, and collaborate with dignity.
The challenges we face today call for a new kind of leadership—one that brings different knowledge systems into dialogue.
This one-day masterclass is grounded in Mark Yettaca-Paulson’s Intercultural Framework and guided by Polynesian principles. Through immersive exercises, Indigenous wisdom, and collective dialogue, you'll develop the skills to navigate complexity with clarity and compassion. Together, we’ll explore how to create cultures of collaboration and belonging—where innovation flows from connection.
Tavale Ilalio will lead us through ancient frameworks and contemporary strategies for intercultural leadership—offering pathways to lead with integrity, respect, and transformative impact.
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This masterclass is for:
- Leaders and facilitators working across cultures or complex systems
- Professionals in government, business, philanthropy, or social impact engaging with diverse communities
- People involved in First Nations, Pacific peoples partnerships or community-led initiatives
- Anyone seeking to develop a more relational, culturally attuned leadership practice
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Learning Skills and Content
You’ll gain:
- Understanding of Va - a Polynesian term for the relational space that connects all things, and practical skills for tending this space to allow innovation, and authentic connection
- The Intercultural Framework (ICF), a practical model created by Mark Yettica-Paulson for moving through diverse collaborative contexts with integrity, skill, and mutual respect
- Techniques for approaching collaborative challenges with cultural humility for pragmatic and human-centred solutions
- Frameworks for recognising and honouring different knowledge systems whilst building shared understanding
Personal and Professional Transformation
You’ll come away with:
- Greater self-awareness and cultural humility, recognising your own assumptions, cultural lens, and how these shape your worldview
- Tools for empathy and relational skill when leading across diverse teams and communities
- Strengthened ability to navigate complexity, hold space for difficult conversations, and remain present through discomfort
- Agency to create collaborative spaces that honour diverse knowledge systems, build trust, creativity, and allow innovation to flourish
- Sense making real-world challenges within a supportive learning community
- Actionable insights and a peer network to support your continued journey in collaborative, culturally responsive work
Meet Tavale Ilalio
Tavale Ilalio
Tavale is the Creative Director and Founder at Mahana Culture. With a lifetime of work in the Human Services space spanning across New Zealand, USA and Australia as well as a passion for the complex space of difference, Tavale is super curious about the relational space that exists between us and ourselves, us and others and us and the systems we live, work and play in. This curiosity about the relational space is at the heart of Mahana Culture: a movement in the shape of a business with a purpose of Awakening Cultural Dignity for all.
