The sixth annual meeting of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC) was held in Melbourne 2-4 December 2008. The event was brilliantly hosted by Gary Thomas, Executive Director, Equity and Student Support Services at La Trobe University. Gary and his fantastic team of staff and students provided a seamless flow of hospitality allowing the approximately 80 participants to enjoy three days of inspirational presentations and workshops from leaders of Indigenous higher education across WINHEC’s eight member nations. The serious work of the forum was enhanced by the stunning cultural experiences provided by the hosts during ceremonial and truly wonderful evening events.

One of the bright shining highlights of this years WINHEC Conference was the launch of a new book by Dr. Veronica Arbon - Arlathirnda Ngurkarnda Ityirnda: Being - Knowing - Doing: De-colonising Indigenous Tertiary Education.

This book points to the struggles that emerge when change is made in the core knowledge-production and transmission work of Indigenous tertiary education. It argues that when this shift is accepted, the status quo (that is, the status quo accepted by those 'who-know-best' for us and their fellow travellers) is adjusted towards a more equitable understanding between Indigenous and Western forms of knowledge. The struggle to make such a shift is explored through critical work in areas such as curriculum change, Indigenous employment and in bringing a stronger Indigenous philosophical and cultural underpinning to the core of our learning and work.

One of the greatest proponents of Indigenous education in Australia has been honored with an Emeritus Professorship during Charles Darwin University’s end-of-year graduation ceremony.

Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik, the former Dean of Indigenous Research and Education, was honoured with an Emeritus Professorship in recognition for her long-serving commitment and contribution to the University and to Indigenous participation within the higher education sector.

An Indigenous woman from the Djaru Clan of the East Kimberley region, Professor Bin-Sallik has made a major contribution to advancing Indigenous education through being involved in government, university and community advisory and review groups throughout her career which have subsequently influenced government education and equity policies for Indigenous Australians.

MELBOURNE, Australia – Preparations are under way for the World Indigenous Peoples Conference: Education (WIPC:E), to be held on the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne Dec. 7 – 11. The conference is a triennial event attracting people from around the world to celebrate and share cultural diversity, traditions and knowledge with a strong focus on world indigenous education.
This year’s conference is expected to bring more than 3,000 people from countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, Norway, Bangladesh, Botswana, Vanuatu and many others.

ABC News
Posted Wed Oct 1, 2008 11:27am AEST
Updated Wed Oct 1, 2008 11:28am AEST

A linguistics professor says it takes several generations to revive a language and many Indigenous languages are at risk of being lost.

Jeannie Bell from the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education says there are less than 40 Indigenous languages surviving, with most unlikely to continue.

"Some of our students are working with limited documented material of their language to try and bring language back and in a realistic sense they are only able to bring language back in limited ways," she said.

LaTrobe Valley Express:29/09/2008 9:05:00 AM

KOORIE Footprints to Higher Education program took out the University Pathways Award at the Wurreker Awards, recently held at the Aboriginal Advancement League in Melbourne.

From small beginnings the program has been growing in momentum and interest within the Koorie community of Gippsland, according to a spokesperson.

The program is run through Federal Government funding acquired by the Gippsland Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies at Monash University, Churchill.

``The objectives for the program are clearly defined as being to identify and support indigenous secondary students and potential students who are willing and able to make the transition to university education within a rural environment,'' the spokesperson said.

Mäori language revitalisation advocate Ruakere Hond has begun PhD research into the creation of Mäori-speaking communities.

Mr Hond, from Taranaki, was given the go-ahead to complete his thesis after a presentation in reo Mäori at Massey's Palmerston North campus last week.

Present were his doctoral supervisor, Professor Taiarahia Black, senior Mäori academics involved in teaching and research, fellow PhD students, senior Mäori management at Te Wänanga o Aotearoa and kaumätua Pani Waru.

Mr Hond is one of nine PhD candidates completing their doctoral theses in reo Mäori at Massey.

Following the world-wide success of Ten Canoes, the Yolngu people of Ramingining in Arnhem Land offer the world a more in depth view of their society and culture. One of the oldest cultures in existence shares its stories using the most modern technology to bring the world
12canoes.com.au
We are proud of our community. We are proud of our history and our present.
We are proud of our children, and our artists, and our songmen,
we are proud of our whole place.
Because we are proud of all these things, we are sharing them with you.

We live in Arnhem Land, in Northern Territory of Australia.

"Exploring Indigenous Ways of Knowing among the Ojibwe"

To be held Wednesday, September 24th 2008
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
at 502 Keller Building (near the Nittany Lion Inn)

Exploring the Indigenous Ways of Knowing of the Ojibwe (CI ED 497A & AG 497A) was offered in May 2008 by The College of Education & The College of Agricultural Sciences through the Interinstitutional Consortium for Indigenous Knowledge (ICIK).

This award-winning course offers undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to learn Ojibwe ways of knowing from tribal educators, political leaders, elders, spiritual leaders, artists, and environmentalists. Eighteen Penn State students spent nearly three weeks in May and early June on the three largest Ojibwe reservations in North America­-Red Lake, Leech Lake, and White Earth Nations-­immersed in the history, geography, lifeways, culture, and worldview of the Anishinaabeg.

Perth Now: Peter Hancock
September 10, 2008 05:13am

A PERTH Aboriginal elder has received a prestigious federal award for promoting Aboriginal environmental and conservation practices in higher education.

Dr Noel Nannup, of Booragoon, was recently flown to Canberra to receive the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council's Elders Award, after being recommended for the honour by Curtin University.

A Noongar/Injabarndi man, Dr Nannup's career has been dedicated to promoting public awareness of the importance of caring for the environment, educating West Australians about the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal people and their lands while playing a leading role in cross-cultural awareness and reconciliation.