The positioning of Darwin as a major hub for Indigenous studies and research has been further enhanced with the establishment of the new Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education (ACIKE) at Charles Darwin University Casuarina campus.
ACIKE is based within a striking new building that will be one of the venues for the 2013 Charles Darwin Symposium - Indigenous Knowledges in a Changing World, to be held over two days on 21 and 22 April.
The new Centre is a partnership between CDU and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (BIITE) and offers a range of study and research programs, from enabling to post graduate using internal, external and workshop delivery approaches, with connections to 16 distant sites.
Chair of the 2013 Symposium organising committee, Professor Steven Larkin, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership at CDU and Director of ACIKE said many of Australia’s and New Zealand’s leading Indigenous academics had been invited to deliver presentations and participate in panel discussions along with respected Indigenous Elders.
“The Symposium will provide guest speakers and delegates the opportunity to tour the new ACIKE facility which will become a Centre of national significance for Indigenous learning and research, delivering greater efficiency and effectiveness and stronger outcomes for Indigenous students,” Professor Larkin said.
“ACIKE capitalises on the complementary strengths of its founding institutions including Batchelor Institute’s culturally responsive approach to curriculum development, delivery and deep understanding of remote Indigenous perspectives and CDU’s expertise in flexible higher education delivery, strong Indigenous research base and support infrastructure.”
Operators of Indigenous businesses from around the Territory have also been invited to participate in the Symposium to showcase how they have been using traditional knowledge systems to develop new business enterprises and employment opportunities,” Professor Larkin said.
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the Symposium, which is an initiative of the Northern Territory Government CDU partnership agreement. It is also sponsored by the UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY.
Along with the talks and presentations planned for Day 1 on Sunday 21 April, there will be food stalls, a fashion parade and performances by talented local Indigenous musicians and dancers.
Day 2 on Monday 22 April will include a panel discussion comprising respected Elders including: Dr Tom Calma, an elder from the Kungarakan tribal group south of Darwin and former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Emeritus Prof, MaryAnn Bin-Sallik, an elder from the Djaru Clan of the East Kimberley region and former Dean of Indigenous Research and Education at CDU and Mr Harold Furber, an Arrernte man from Alice Springs and Chair of the Desert Peoples Centre.
Key Symposium guest speakers include: Prof Pat Dudgeon from the University of WA, Assoc Prof Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, University of Waikato NZ, Mr Greg Phillips, Monash University, Assoc Prof Maggie Walter, University of Tasmania, Mr Joe Morrison, Nth Australian Indigenous Land & Sea Management Alliance, Dr Karen Martin, Griffith University, and NT business operators Tess Atie from NT Indigenous Tours, Rayleen Brown from Kungkas Can Cook and Dhanggal Gurruwiwi from Rripangu Yidaki.
To view the full 2013 Symposium program, visit www.cdu.edu.au/cdss2013/
For further information on ACIKE, visit www.cdu.edu.au/acike