Scholars from Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Australia gathered recently at the First Nations Longhouse, University of British Columbia (UBC) as part of a Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies Roundtable, titled ‘Place, Longing & Promise, Indigenising the International Academy'.

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, CQUniversity Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement was one of two Australian scholars invited to present a paper at the Roundtable held from May 6-10.

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks presents her paper at the Roundtable

The Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies supported Prof Fredericks and Prof Lester Irabinna Rigney from the University of Adelaide to present on issues of curriculum and governance. Community engagement, research and human services were introduced by other speakers.

The Roundtable aimed to address international discourse, tensions, strategic planning and contested sites relating to Indigenous intellectual scholarship, knowledge production, actions and inspirations to ‘Indigenise the academy'.

Some of the Roundtable participants

Prof Fredericks said one of the highlights was hearing Prof Margaret Mutu, Head of the Department of Maori Studies, University of Auckland provide an overview of the efforts throughout that institution's history to expand Maori student enrolment, staff, and courses.

"Prof Mutu said that, while the University of Auckland has succeeded in establishing three Maori-focused teaching departments and have six Maori Professors, there is still much work to be done," Prof Fredericks reported.

"The common issue amongst all presenters was the importance of having Indigenous people in key decision-making positions within universities, and what doesn't happen when we're not there."

The scholars who presented at the Roundtable have now been asked to contribute towards a scholarly publication that will be published in collaboration with the University of British Columbia in 2014. Calls have also gone out for the next Roundtable to be held in New Zealand or Australia.

The First Nations Longhouse 
Inside the First Nations Longhouse 
Inside the Great Hall, First Nations Longhouse