This webpage
will be updated daily, by the Graduate students information participating
in the Conference.
 
Wipce 2005 Preliminary Program Click to Download Pdf file of schedule
November
28, 2005 -
Monday
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Tuesday, November, 29th 2005
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Tuesday:
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WIPCE Day 2
It finally warmed up to summer temperatures today. I heard that
it’s snowing in Kansas – just when we were laying out
on that hill getting our first tans of the summer. Had to rub it
in…
I had a full day of presentations today. I saw a powerhouse workshop
with tons of folks from across the globe that are collaborating
to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into math and science curriculums
– there were representatives from Hawaii, Alaska, New Zealand,
Australia and Canada. There was an awesome workshop with an Oneida
woman who talked about her experience as an insider doing research
with her own clan, and the challenges she faced with western feminist
theories when trying to finish her Ph. D. I saw a group of Hawaiian
people talk about formal evaluation practices in education and how
to decolonize the way many community programs are evaluated by state
institutions. Later in the day there were two profs from the University
of Montana who talked about their experience touring Indigenous
communities in Peru and Guatemala. One closing comment that was
made, really addressed a key truth that I have struggled with for
a while – they said that the trip changed their perspective
when they realized the benefits and protections that treaties provide
in comparison to Indigenous groups in countries such as Peru, where
there is no support or protections from the colonial governments.
I think it’s dangerous to try and make comparisons of struggle,
but it was the first time I had really heard scholars from a Native
American Studies program acknowledge this difference, in light of
treaty politics, in such a large forum.
I also wanted to mention that on Monday, there was an amazing Indigenous
inspirational speaker from India, Prof. Amareswar Galla. He was
quite funny and had a wealth of experience in the global arena developing
large organizations that support sustainable development projects
for Indigenous and minority communities.
He threw me off for a minute though when he was talking about what
it was like having people come up to him in New Orleans to ask if
he was a “real Indian,” and if they could touch his
hair. Soon, the natives were rolling with laughter!!
We also went for quite a jaunt this evening as we headed towards
dinner. We took the long walk about, crossing two bridges and covering
about 4 or 5 miles. Along the way we did some serious flower smelling.
Well, the ladies did, I was sort of attacked by a giant vine (see
pics). The communities in Hamilton are quite nice and we even managed
to find a few Maori establishments in the middle of all these fancy
homes with fancy flowers (see pics again).
That’s it for today. Our presentation is tomorrow!! Exciting!
Tuesday, November, 29th 2005
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On Sunday, Bobbi and I went out to Turangawaewae Marae, Naruawahia
for the Powhiri or grand opening of the conference hosted by the
Maori queen. This marae was just north of Hamilton in the countryside,
located along the Waikato River. This is the longest and largest
river in New Zealand, but more importantly, it is a sacred river
for the Maori.
Upon arriving at the marae, all international delegates entered
from the back along the river. There are delgates at this conference
representing 19 countries from all continents. As of Sunday, 3,000
people were registered and 10,000 are expected by Thursday.
We were greeted by the Maori in their traditional way. The Maori
warriors canoed down the Waikato and then upon returning to the
embankment, performed for the delegates as part of the welcoming
process. Once this was finished, we all came together as one. This
was such an empowering expereince to observe and to be a part of.
It is so awesome to see Indigenous peoples from all over the world
come together as one to share and exchange knowledge and ideas.
It is so important that this forum exists where Indigenous peoples
can come together and discuss the different programs they are implementing
to empower and advance the people in spite of repeated attempts
by western society to colonize and oppress Indigenous peoples.
I am looking forward to sharing the knowledge that I gain from this
conference with my fellow collegues. Stay tuned for further updates
and video footage and pictures of the Powhiri and rest of the conference.
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Wednesday November 30, 2005
Aotearoa Delegation
Wednesday - Jason Lewis
Kia Ora
Wednesday was our presentation day so I do not have as many pictures
to post. We did take a nice picture just before our presentation
outside of the presentation room. It's really nice because everywhere
on this campus there' examples of Maori culture and art. The carvings
behind us in the picture are exquisite with all sorts of shell pieces
encrusted into the wood carving designs. We look pretty exquisite
as well!!
The presentation was strong and we received some critical feedback
both during and after. We also video taped it so hopefully we can
share this with people when we return to Kansas. We definitely brought
a lot of information to our presentation and were glad to have a
good turnout. It wasn't perfect though and there was a critique
of the fact that not all of us are Indigenous. That was a real negative
energy that took us each a while to heal from afterwards.
I regained my energy listening to the final inspirational speaker,
Dr. Papaarangi Reid. She is a medical doctor and very empowered.
Next year she will be the director of the medical center at the
University of Auckland. Her presentation was entitled Decolonization
and Trouble!! She was hilarious in how she presented different life
experiences that have gotten her into trouble as she has constantly
worked to decolonize and be revolutionary in her work. Very Powerful!!
I think between our presentation and hearing Dr. Reid, I am wanting
to change many of my life and educational goals. Yesterday changed
me, I was inspired by both negative and positive energy. There are
so many great people here doing amazing things to work towards empowerment
and decolonization, the ones that have been the most inspirational
to me are working in communities and organizing both locally and
globally. This has given me much to think about.
Thanks for reading - the big cultural extravaganza is tomorrow so
hopefully we will have many more beautiful pictures.
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Thursday December 1, 2005
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Thursday:
Aotearoa Delegation
Thursday - Jason Lewis
The last day of the conference!! I can't believe the whole conference
is over. We presented and have seen amazing presentations and speakers.
Nearly a year of work to get over here for this conference it's
over. NOW it's time for the vacation part of this trip. Not really,
I swear even though I'm stuck over here for the next five days I
will be doing nothing but preparing for my final exams and papers.
The most amazing part of this conference has definitely been the
hosts. They had everything covered. The host committee was a Maori
council of people that represent the Te Wataranga O Aotearoa - Maori
based universities. Everybody just had so much excitement and energy
and they honored everybody so well. Here's an example - after every
speaker and presentation, and there were hundreds, representatives
provided the speakers with a beautiful gift. We will be bringing
home a lovely, and huge, atlas of New Zealand with specific Maori
history.
The closing of the conference was very exciting. The formal part
was a speech by Linda Tuhiwai Smith. If anybody doesn't know who
she is, you should definitely look up her work. Then in the evening,
and amazing cultural extravaganza with some of the greatest Maori,
and Indigenous performing artists. I have to tell you that the crowd
went the craziest when a Lakota hoop dancer performed along with
a Northern drum group and about 12 pow wow dancers. There was an
awesome reggae group that closed it all up - Katchafire!! They were
Hot. The most amazing spectacle though - a Maori opera singer, singing
Un Bel Di with fire works in the background. Powerful!! There was
also a great representation of dancers from Hawaii and Australia.
Tonight we'll be dancing in the downtown area with some cool hosts.
Get Down!!
Hopefully some of the movies will come through right now. Can't
wait to report on some of the cultural excursions I'll be taking
over the next few days. I'm definitely trying to visit some Maori
communities, the Treaty of Waitangi signing site, and...The BEACH.
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Friday December 2, 2005
Friday:
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Key Conference Themes -- Leadership
The following three themes will guide all presentations at the Conference: |
Change in the pattern
of development has begun when people – an individual,
a group – has said, “we’re not going to
do this anymore.”It may happen in the classroom, or
boardroom. It may happen when people launch a reform replacing
ineffective institutions with effective ones. The critical
element is people who envision a different future, recognise
the need for foundational change, are willing to serve the
people’s interests instead of their own, and can communicate
their vision to members. Such leadership can come from anywhere.
This theme
calls for presenters to share stories about leadership,
where it has come from, where it is going, how it is being
effected, and what leadership is needed by indigenous peoples
for the 21st century. |
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