Indigenous meeting catering for 10,000

The cream of the world's indigenous cultural and academic elite will descend on Hamilton this weekend for an education conference geared at celebrating diversity and educational excellence.

More than 3000 delegates from 30-plus countries will be welcomed with a powhiri at Turangawaewae Marae tomorrow and will get down to work on Monday.

Hosted by Te Wananga o Aotearoa and based at Waikato University, the seventh World Indigenous Peoples Conference on education will focus on boosting native peoples' leadership, research and development and higher learning.

Event spokesman Tama Potaka said more than 10,000 people were expected to attend over the four days of the conference. "While this is focused on education, celebrating cultural diversity will play a major part."

Keynote speakers include the first native American astronaut, Commander John Herrington, Native American vice-presidential candidate La Donna Harris, Aboriginal rights advocate, historian and philosopher Professor Mick Dodson and Cuban Education Minister Luis Guitierrez.

Delegates include representatives from Alaska, Australia, Hawaii, Cuba, North, Central and South America, India, Taiwan, Samoa and Africa.

Mr Potaka said highlights would include an international market place offering indigenous arts and products, a cultural festival showcasing local and international performers and a language symposium.


Where: Hamilton.
When: Four-day conference begins tomorrow with powhiri at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia.
Themes: Leadership, research and development, new horizons of knowledge
Who: 3000 delegates from 30 countries. More than 10,000 visitors expected.
More: www.wipce2005.co.nz (see link below)