Turtle Talk

Conference information here.

This conference addresses the question of difference. What are the costs to communities and society of failing to understand others? Can we reflect on our own assumptions and practice, our shared past and present and imagine and pursue a better future for individuals and the greater collective? The conference will provide opportunities to discuss strategies for engaging, understanding and accommodating difference in order to build relationships that address social, economic, resource, and environmental risks associated with failure to understand sufficiently the differences among indigenous and non-indigenous communities and societies. Given the diversity present in those attending the conference there will be many opportunities to learn from diverse contexts around the world about efforts to engage across the inter-face between indigenous and non-indigenous communities, across all disciplines, from individuals to societies, governments and nations. The intention is to move beyond identifying and understanding problems toward creative solutions that meet the needs of present and future generations. The conference provides the opportunity to develop a broader understanding by seeing and hearing things outside our own scope, to make connections across boundaries, and to formulate partnerships across new interfaces.

KEY QUESTIONS: Where and when does difference become an issue?  What and where are the sites of conflict or hostility?  What are the main points of contention?  How can we live with difference?  What solutions can we offer?  What futures can we imagine?     STRANDS: Science & Knowledge;  Society, Culture & Language;  Health;  Education;  Law & Justice;  Economic Development & Business;  Resources & Environment; Alterity & Difference;  and Communities: past, present & future.     TARGET GROUPS: academics;  emerging researchers & graduate students;  community groups, workers & activists;  local & national government representatives; and elders.

CONFERENCE  PATRONS: Sir Tīpene O’Regan (Chair, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga),  Emeritus Professor Ranginui Walker (Retired from University of Auckland),  Dr Tracey McIntosh (Joint Director, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga),  Professor Michael Walker (Joint Director, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga), Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith (Te Wānanga o Awanuiārangi), Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith (University of Waikato), Associate Professor Harald Gaski (University of Tromso), Associate Professor Karina Walters (University of Washington), Dr Kathryn Lehman (University of Auckland), Professor Boni Robertson (Griffith University)

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS (so far): Dr Pita Sharples (Ngāti Kahungunu; Minister of Māori Affairs); Professor Ngāhuia Te Awekōtuku (Te Arawa, Tūhoe, Waikato; University of Waikato); Professor Larissa Behrendt (Eualeyai/Kamillaroi; University of Technology, Sydney); Professor John Borrows (Anishinabe/Ojibway & Chippewa of Nawash; University of Victoria, Canada, & University of Minnesota); Moana Jackson (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Porou; Te Hau Tikanga/Maori Law Commission); Assistant Professor Daniel Longboat (Haudenosaunee, Mohawk; Trent University, Canada).