AlterNative celebrates traditional knowledge through new technologies

Three years ago Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga began with a vision: to bring together more than 5,000 indigenous groups around the world into a dialogue that would support the growth of first nations in the academy. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Scholarship was founded. This Friday, at the Fale Pasifika, we celebrate the release of the fifth issue by returning our focus to the Pacific, profiling our rich heritage through the use of podcasting technology.

The fifth issue centres on the issue of what it means to be 'Pacific'. 'Critiquing Pacific Education' brings together a range of prominent Pacific scholars who debate the issues surrounding being grouped together under a geographic banner and the benefits of further incorporating indigenous world-views in contemporary education.

The launch also platforms the release of a series of podcasts that aim to increase the participation of indigenous peoples in shaping the direction of research into their communities by ensuring ground-breaking research is available in an easily accessible format. Released once a month, each podcast profiles the views and perspectives of a leading indigenous scholar or community member and is downloadable from the internet. The goal is to add to the depth and breadth of public archives of indigenous knowledge, engaging traditional knowledges in new ways to build for the future. This month's podcast features an interview with Linitā Manu'atu, a Senior Lecturer in Pacific Studies at the Auckland University of Technology.

This event is open to anyone with an interest in the intersection between indigenous research and technology.

Speakers:
Tui O'Sullivan, Auckland University of Technology
Sione Tuitahi, Massey University (Albany)
Dr. Chris Tooley, Managing Editor, AlterNative, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga/ Department of Political Studies, University of Auckland
Phoebe Fletcher, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga/ Department of Film, Television and Media Studies, University of Auckland

ALL WELCOME, LIGHT REFRESHMENTS SERVED

Date: Friday 22 August 2008
Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Venue: Fale Pasifika, Wynyard Street, The University of Auckland