Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 8, 1 August 2014 — International education conference promotes shared knowledge [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

International education conference promotes shared knowledge

By Lynn Cook Gloria Baptiste eame to Hawai'i from Alberta, Canada, to attend her fifth World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education. "I feel this conference has many lessons for us eaeh to take home to share and teach, she said. "We ean never learn enough from eaeh other, but WIPCE gives us a group experience like no other." Hawai'i, through the Native Hawaiian Education Association, played host to WIPCE in May, attracting some 3,000 registrants from around the world to the weeklong gathering held at Kapi'olani Community College and other venues. Workshops were presented by Blackfoot, Maori, Sami, Torres Strait Islanders and Aborigine experts, and hailing fromplaces including Manitoba, Alberta, Toronto, Iceland, Australia, Aotearoa, Europe,

the continental U.S. and Hawai'i. A group of women attending from Saskatoon, Alaska, Australia and Canada, describing themselves as "new old friends," were amazed by the stories they heard of the women voyagers of Hōkūle'a, whose crew members spoke at the conference. Hanging together throughout the week, the visitors were deep in discussion about a presentation by Calvin and Charlene Hoe and their family, who described their experiences as founders of the charter school Hakipu'u Leaming Center, as well as past struggles to preserve land and water in Waiāhole and Waikāne valleys. "To see these gentle people and know the battle they fought for water and land and now for teaching and learning is a story I will tell over and over," said Taku, a teacher from Alaska who didn't want to give her last name. In preparation for hosting WIPCE, Lui Hokoana and Judy 01iveira, NHEA director and president, respectively, gathered dozens of community leaders to help plan the confer-

enee, whieh will be held next in Toronto in 2017. Over months of planning, the committee organized numerous workshops, meals for 3,000, huaka'i to every corner of the island, 'Aha Kāne and 'Aha Wāhine experiences, and, despite rain and wind, closing ceremonies to rival a Rolling Stones concert. At the opening ceremony, flags of every indigenous nation led the parade of chiefs from Kapua (Kaimana) Beach to the Waiklkī Shell. On stage, elders gathered to share mana'o and an 'awa

ceremony, keynote addresses, the parade of nations presenting gifts from eaeh delegation and hula by the hālau of Kekuhi Keali'ikanaka'oleohaililani and Taupouri Tangaro. A concert till sunset kicked off a week of entertainment organized and directed by Aaron J. Sala. Themed "E Mau Ana Ka Mo'olelo, Let Our Narratives Endure," the conference was sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, University of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Tourism Authority and Kamehameha Schools.

Sharing culture, making art and developing concepts for the future of the world, hundreds of youth spent a day, called Lā 'Ōpio, at Ka'iwakiloumoku Hawaiian Cultural Center at Kamehameha Schools' Kapālama campus Artist Solomon Enos and his team led painting sessions for groups of 60 students, taking them from concept to action,

painting on canvas, some for the very first time. In his typical fashion, Enos roamed the room, spreading energy, praising, adding in his booming voice, "Just paint, don't think!" The result was nearly 300 paintings to be sewn together on banners for the

closing ceremony of the conference. Lā 'Ōpio organizers Melehina Groves and Kapalai'ula de Silva said that for many young participants, it was their first time being exposed to and interacting with so many different cultures, and students quickly realized that the struggles they face at home are the same as those of other indigenous youth around the world. Groves and de Silva quoted a Canadian student, reflecting on the day, saying, "I loved it all, but I really see that we as young indigenous people are the future, and that we are strong in numbers and spirit." Within four days of the conference, the digital reach via social media exceeded 100,000. The Lā 'Ōpio team led the students in developing a Youth Declaration. It was read, with the presentation of the art banners, at the closing ceremony: "We, the indigenous youth representing our native peoples of Aotearoa, Australia, North America, Europe and Hawai'i - to affirm our identities as indigenous peoples who proudly stand on the foundation laid before us by our elders

and ancestors. "As native peoples of our lands, we live by the values and principles embedded within our cultures, languages and traditions. We stand carrying the future of our history while remaining grounded in the knowledge taught to us by our ancestors of old. As we voyage forward in time, we will not forget who we are: native youth of the world." ■

Lynn Cook i.s a loeal freelance journaīist sharing the arts and cuīture ofHawai 'i wiih a glohal auāienee.

To see these gentle people and hnow the battle they fought for water and land and now for teaching and learning is a story I will tell over and over."

— Taku, a teacher from Alaska

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First Nations dancers in full regalia waited at the great lawn to join the noonhme dance circle around the drum. - Photos: tynn Cook

The Hoe family, led by Charlene, second from left, and Calvin, right, presented a talk on their family's experiences founding a charter school and past struggles to preserve land and water rights in Windward O'ahu.