Indigenous Science Network Bulletin June 2003 (Volume 6, Number 3) Editor: Michael Michie Tiwi designs by Jennifer Coombs, Munupi Arts & Crafts Association, Pirlangimpi, Melville Island, NT

NEWS

CLAGS-STEP Final Report (International Joint Research on Culture, Language and Gender Sensitive Science Teacher Education Program)

Masakata Ogawa wrote to let me know, "Our three-year research project ended this March, and a final report is now published on the website below. Unfortunately, some parts of it are written in Japanese, but most of other parts are in English. Please check it at http://www2.kobe-u.ac.jp/~ogawam/cl_toppage.htm."

Congratulations, Dr Liz

Congratulations to Liz McKinley who received her PhD at the recent graduation ceremony at the University of Waikato, Aotearoa/New Zealand.

RESOURCES

Indigenous Online Network Updates (ION Updates)

ION Updates are prepared by the Aboriginal Research Institute at the University of South Australia and are forwarded to e-mail members of the Indigenous Science Network regularly (about every two weeks). The following are some highlights since the April Bulletin. 

Mura Gadi - Internet guide to the National Library's rich holdings of Indigenous source materials.

Mura Gadi describes manuscript, pictorial and oral history sources relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Library's special collections.

The materials date from the eighteenth century through to the present day. At April 2003 Mura Gadi contains records for more than 100 manuscript collections, 300 oral history recordings, and 1000 pictures, both by and about Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Amongst the many formats represented are letters, diaries and research files, interview, folkloric and social history recordings, drawings, paintings and photographs. URL: http://www.nla.gov.au/muragadi/

Learning About Native Title

This resource, produced by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) with the assistance of many others (including Indigenous peoples, Native Title Representative Bodies, local governments), is an online content development initiative within the Australian Flexible Learning Framework for the National VET System 2000-2004. It provides assistance for Indigenous people pursuing their native title rights. The resource is provided for general educational and training purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. URL: http://www.nativetitle.edu.au/index.html

Moving Yarns: Aboriginal Youth Homelessness in Metropolitan Adelaide 

A study of homeless Aboriginal young people in Metropolitan Adelaide. The research includes - a literature review, in depth interviews with 19 homeless young people and 9 case studies. Areas explored include family background and relationships, life history, present circumstances, experiences of services, and the young person's views on their support needs and future. To access a copy on-line, visit the link and scroll to the indicated link. URL: http://www.dhs.sa.gov.au/home.asp?nav=publications

Reconciliation in action

Reconciliation Australia is pleased to let you know that the Reconciliation in Action database is now up and running and we are hoping to collect as many examples as possible of reconciliation activities taking place throughout the nation.

We would appreciate it if you could use the database to log your own numerous activities and if you could alert all your contacts so that we start to build up a solid picture of what is being done.

You are invited to register your projects, activities and programs on the Reconciliation Australia website www.reconciliation.org.au so that other Australians can see reconciliation in action across the nation.

• Your activity may be a National Reconciliation Week event for your school or community.

• It may be a learning circle where individuals get together to find out more about Aboriginal heritage.

• It may be a project that brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through projects related to the arts, education or leadership.

• It may offer recognition to local elders through the naming of public places, or through welcome signage as visitors enter your town.

• It may be a business/community partnership providing training and employment for Indigenous Australians.

Large or small, your activity is helping reconciliation. Tell us about it so that others can share the good ideas and add their support to yours.

The web database is easy to use. To log your activities visit www.reconciliation.org.au go to Reconciliation in Action and follow the prompts.

This web database is a very important interactive communication. Already the Reconciliation Australia website receives more than 23,000 hits a week. We expect that number to double. So please log your activities and help us build an impressive database of activities which truly reflects Australia's commitment to reconciliation.

International Youth Parliament

 http://www.iyp.oxfam.org/issues/indigenous_homepage.asp

School of Development Studies Working Paper 4 has recently been posted to our website and is available to peruse and download if you wish. The title of Working Paper 4 is 'The Conflict in Iraq and the International Rule of Law'.  The author is Professor Gillian Triggs,  Co-Director of the Institute for Comparative and International Law, The University of Melbourne and member of the Academic Advisory Board of the School of Development Studies.  Please access this paper at http://www.muprivate.edu.au/index_sds_all.asp?menuid=040.020.040. (You can access previous issues at the website.)

Birut Zemits wrote, "I found this on the ANU web-site. You probably know about this project but I think it sounds very interesting (the Indigenous science comparison between Yolngu and SE NSW) at http://www.anu.edu.au/culture/crio/projects.htm." You may also want to visit the Centre for Cross-Cultural Research, http://www.anu.edu.au/culture.

THE DREAM AND THE DREAMING - Compass
For over thirty thousand years, the Desert People of Central Australia had walked their lands, their life governed by ancient and immutable laws laid down by the totemic ancestors and their Dreamings. A CoJo Production with assistance from the Film Finance Corporation Australia

In 1877 the German Lutherans arrived. Their dream of a "mission field" in the very heart of the Australian continent put them at the epicentre of a massive clash of cultures. As the pastoral frontier, engulfed the Arrarnta homelands and threatened their existence, the Mission lease of 1,000 square miles was to become not so much a beachhead of Christianity but a place of sanctuary.
http://www.abc.net.au/programsales/programs/s849199.htm

CAPE CRUSADERS - AUSTRALIA STORY
Most popular program being purchased on Indigenous Matters is the Australia Story - Cape Crusaders featuring Noel and Gerhardt Pearson.  Here is the transcript produced by the program. http://www.abc.net.au/austory/archives/2002/04_AustoryArchivesIdx_Monday11November2002.htm

OUR HISTORY  Duration: 10 mins; Year Level: Education: Primary; Subject: Studies of Society and Environment
This series explores a range of topics and issues in Australia’s history for a middle primary audience. Where possible, programs explore changes in attitudes of Australians over time and the reasons for these changes. Programs use documentary and archival footage and stills, light-hearted animated interpretations of events and extracts from primary sources.

Indigenous Australians
Ep. 1 Living in Country This program looks at how indigenous Australians lived before Europeans settled the land including some of the different tasks for male and female members of the clans, women and girls gathering plants, making flour to make cakes, gathering shellfish and cooking, men and boys hunting, making tools and even making a bark canoe.

Ep. 2 The Eora The program looks at some of the detail of life in the Eora nation. People of the Eora nation lived in the areas where white settlement in Australia began. We see how there were many different Aboriginal nations in Australia. Each Aboriginal country knew where its borders were and there were strict rules about entering another country.

Ep. 3 Fishing This program looks at some methods indigenous Australians used to catch fish with spears, fish traps, hooks and nets.

For Purchasing the Series go to: http://www.abc.net.au/programsales/programs/s636665.htm

CONFERENCES

Australasian Science Education Research Association (ASERA), 34th annual conference, 9-12 July 2003, Melbourne, Victoria. For more information, contact http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/DSME/asera03/

Third International Forum on Education Reform, 8-11 September 2003 in Thailand. The main theme of the Forum is "Education Decentralization Revisited: World Movement towards School- based Management".  The 4 sub-themes to reflect the nature of SBM are as follows:

• SBM and its promising chances in education reform;
• linkage in self- management and learning improvement;
• public participation and institutional leadership; and
• education indicators for efficient assessment.

For details of the Forum, please refer to the relevant website at http://www.worldedreform.com/intercon3/third_wel.htm

You are invited to submit papers on the said themes that highly focus on the empirical evidences of SBM.  Abstracts (600 words) should be submitted by 30 July 2003.  Each accepted paper will be assigned to a parallel session to be presented by the author for 15 - 20 minutes.

For enquiries, please contact the Forum Secretariat Office:
c/o Center for International Policy and Cooperation in Education
The Office of the National Education Commission
99/20 Sukhothai Rd., Dusit, Bangkok 10330
Tel.:  (662) 668-7123 Ext. 1410, 1418
Fax.:  (662)  243-4174
E-mail: sydmap4@onec.go.th or wpliansri@hotmail.com or wpliansri@yahoo.com

Independent Learning Conference, 13-14 September 2003, Melbourne

The conference theme is 'Supporting Independent Language Learning in the 21st Century'. It aims to bring together professionals interested in the area of independent language learning and promote the exchange of ideas, the setting up of support networks and research projects (and more - visit the conference web-page). The conference will be held over two days and will include presentations by 3 keynote speakers who are leaders in the field. They are Richard Pemberton from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Sara Cotterall from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, and Terry Lamb from Sheffield University, United Kingdom. This is the Inaugural Conference of the Independent Learning Association. URL: http://www.independentlearning.org/index.htm

Contact: If you are not sure yet if you can attend but are interested in the conference, then please email <info@independentlearning.org> to register interest and to receive updates between now and the conference.

INDIGENOUS RESEARCHERS' FORUM 2003 The IRF 2003 will be held during or after the September semester break late in the year. The dates will be confirmed as soon as possible. The IRF 2003 will be held in Canberra at a venue to be confirmed.

AIATSIS has been invited by the Indigenous Researchers' Forum Organising Committee to host the IRF 2003. AIATSIS is delighted to host the event with a view to working in partnership with universities in Canberra. A local organising committee working out of AIATSIS has been formed and is known as the 'IRF 2003 Committee'. The following is preliminary information about the IRF 2003 to be updated on a regular basis.

IRF 2003 IN CANBERRA
Outcomes of the IRF 2003 will include:
* A showcase and consolidation of the diversity of research currently being undertaken by Indigenous researchers.
* Papers covering current issues and developing themes discussed at the previous IRF.
* Major networking opportunities.
* A publication of selected papers.

IRF 2003 THEME
The IRF 2003 theme will be developed through discussion with the IRF 2003 Committee. A key objective of the IRF is to provide leadership in national Indigenous agendas and issues through research, in addition to strategies focussing intellectual dialogue on research matters in the following areas:
* Research funding priorities
* Archives & reference materials
* Research methodologies
* Research topics
* Research supervisors
* Thesis examiners
* Publications
A significant part of the IRF is dedicated to encouraging and working with postgraduate students and on focusing on postgraduate research issues.

KEY SPEAKERS & PAPERS
Key speakers are currently being identified and suggestions are welcome. A 'Call For Papers' will be circulated shortly, and expressions of interest prior to the call are encouraged (see 'Further Information' below). Papers are sought from Indigenous researchers, and co-presentations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers will be considered.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, to be kept updated, or to express interest in participating in the IRF 2003, please contact Brett Galt-Smith on 02 62614249 or email brett.galt-smith@aiatsis.gov.au. An IRF 2003 website will be established on the AIATSIS site at www.aiatsis.gov.au.

Interculturalism: Exploring Critical Issues, 30 October - 1 November 2003, Milan, Italy

A new annual conference, research and publication series, this inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary project aims to explore the meaning and implications of interculturalism, from both a practical, political perspective and in a more strictly theoretical sense. Papers, short papers, and workshops are invited on issues related to any of the following themes (300 word abstracts should be submitted by Friday 4th July 2003): * the various relationships between 'interculturalism' and 'multiculturalism'; * interculturalism in an educational context; * religious issues and interculturalism; * interculturalism in art, literature and film; * the philosophy of interculturalism; * interculturalism and the politics of the academy i.e. interculturalism and inter-disciplinarity; * interculturalism and language; * resistance to interculturalism through monoculturalism; * race, ethnicity and interculturalism; * racism, violence and interculturalism; * interculturalism and sexuality; * the ethics of interculturalism; * interculturalism and subculture; * interculturalism between 'West' and 'East'; * interculturalism and politics. Papers will be considered on related themes. 

URL: http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/interculturalism/interculturalism03cfp.htm 

Contact: Organising Joint Chairs: 1 - Dr Jones Irwin, St Patrick's College Dublin Ireland Email: jones1@popmail.com    2 - Dr Rob Fisher, Inter-Disciplinary.Net Priory House 149B Wroslyn Road Freeland, Oxfordshire OX29 8HR Email: rf@inter-disciplinary.net 

Native Being, Being Native: Identity and Difference, 13-15 November 2003, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, Oklahoma, USA

Theme: This is the Fifth Native American Symposium, with the central theme being as identified in the title. Papers and presentations are desired on a wide variety of Native American topics, including but not limited to history (documentary or oral), autobiography, literature, mythology, film, cultural studies, contemporary affairs, education, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and the fine arts. Send one-page abstracts by June 1, 2003 in either hard-copy or electronic form to Mark B. Spencer at the address below. 

Contact: Dr. Mark B. Spencer Department of English, Humanities, and Languages Box 4121 Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OK 74701-0609 Email: mspencer@sosu.edu

NZARE AARE Conference 2003 - Educational Research, Risks & Dilemmas, 29 November - 3 December 2003, Hyatt Regency Hotel & University of Auckland, New Zealand

It seems fitting that the New Zealand and Australian education associations meet together for the first time this century to debate and define the many dilemmas, risks and controversies in Education. The conference aims to provide a forum for exacting criticism, increase awareness of the breadth and cultures of our research areas, to inspire new directions, and to encourage cooperation and interactions from researchers from both sides of the Tasman and elsewhere. Auckland is a wonderful venue, with its sweeping harbour, dynamic downtown, a centre of many cultural and entertainment attractions, and is very much the multicultural capital of the Southern Hemisphere - with a particular strength in Maori and Pacific cultures. The two contiguous venues, Hyatt Regency and University of Auckland, provide a core centre for the conference, and they are
located close to many other central city sites. URL: http://www.aare.edu.au/index.htm

Contact: 1) Eddy van Til, Conference Organiser, e.events limited PO Box 647, Rangiora 8254, NZ Ph +64 3 313 2097 ; Aust Free Ph 1800 888 535 ; Fax +64 3 313 2098 ; email - eddy@eenz.com
2) Professor John Hattie, Conference Convenor University of Auckland, Private Bag 92 019, Auckland, NZ Ph +64 9 373 7599 x 82496 ; Fax +64 9 373 7455 ; email j.hattie@auckland.ac.nz
3) Associate Professor Judith Gill, President AARE & rep on Conference Committee, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia Ph +61 8 8302 6325 ; Fax +61 8 8302 6239 ; email - Judith.Gill@unisa.edu.au.

NARST 2004 Conference meets in Vancouver!

April 1-4, 2004

Westin Bayshore Hotel

http://www.educ.sfu.ca/narstsite/conference/

Asia Education Foundation's Third Linking Latitudes: Ha Noi, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos international conference for Australian educators, 11-14 April, 2004

Around 200 Australian teachers will meet in Ha Noi for a diverse 4-day program of learning about Vietnam and the Mekong region . A full program of school visits will be provided and the conference will include workshops and activities.Before and after the Ha Noi conference, a choice of 3-6 day fieldwork excursions around Vietnam and further afield to Cambodia and Vientiane and Laos. The Fieldwork program aims to give participants access to first hand knowledge and curriculum resources - the fieldtrips to Halong Bay and Sapa in Vietnam and Tonle Sap in Cambodia are sure to provide a rich experience for environmental teachers.

If you would like more information about the conference go to:
http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/aef/conference/index.html

A detailed Registration Brochure will be available in July/ August 2003. To be put on the conference mailing
list, please send your name, address, tel and fax number to Kristi Sheldon (k.sheldon@asialink.unimelb.edu.au).

Proposals for papers and presentations on the following topics must be received by July 15, 2003.

 - Food
 - Wellness
 - Nature
 - Local Knowledge Generation and Transfer

Information for submitting proposals is available on the conference Web site:
http://www.outreach.psu.edu/C&I/IndigenousKnowledges

Submit all queries to Nancy Eckard, Conference Planner, at nzm1@outreach.psu.edu.

This conference is sponsored by the Interinstitutional Consortium on Indigenous Knowledge (ICIK) and partners.  For more information on ICIK, visit http://www.ed.psu.edu/ci/icik/icik/index.asp.

Please forward this announcement to other individuals who might have an interest in this conference.

Ladislaus Semali
Co-Chair, Indigenous Knowledges Conference
257 Chambers Buidling
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 865-2246
lms11@psu.edu

Audrey Maretzki
Co-Chair, Indigenous Knowledges Conference
205 Borland Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-4751
anm1@psu.edu

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

This is mostly a summary of upcoming conferences. More details may have been given above, in previous bulletins or circulated by e-mail. A web-based contact is usually included.

June 2003

23-28 June: ED-MEDIA 2003: World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications. Please note Topic 7: Indigenous Peoples & Technology - this topic provides information on the issues and applications related to Indigenous peoples and technology.   Location: Honolulu, Hawaii (http://www.aace.org/conf/edmedia/default.htm)

July 2003

2-5 July: International Conference on Inclusive Education 2003, Hong Kong, organized by The Centre for Special Needs and Studies in Inclusive Education (CSNSIE) of The Hong Kong Institute of Education.  http://www.ied.edu.hk/csnsie/icie2003/

6-11 July: CONASTA 52 - Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference, "Sustainability - past, present, future". Sunshine Coast, Queensland (http://www.conasta52.org)

9-12 July: SEAA - Social Educators Association of Australia - Conference: 'Social Education for a Changing World', Rydges Hotel, Exhibition Street, Melbourne, www.vasst.asn.au/seaa/index.html

9-12 July: Australasian Science Education Research Association (ASERA), 34th Annual Conference, Melbourne, Victoria (http://www.fed.qut.edu.au/projects/asera/)

12-16 July: (Other) Feminisms: An International Women's and Gender Studies Conference, Australian Women's Studies Association. Women's College, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia http://www.emsah.uq.edu.au/conferences/of/index.html

15-18 July: TENTH INTERNATIONAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION RESEARCH NETWORK CONFERENCE ON LEARNING, Institute of Education, University of London, http://www.LearningConference.com

30 July - 3 August: 7th  International History, Philosophy and Science Teaching Group Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba.  The conference chair is Professor Art Stinner (stinner@cc.umanitoba.ca), and the conference secretary and programme chair is Dr Stephen Klassen (s.klassen@uwinnipeg.ca). Further details are available from the secretary and from the IHPST web site (www.ihpst.org).

September 2003

8-11 September: Third International Forum on Education Reform,  Thailand: "Education Decentralization Revisited: World Movement towards School- based Management".  For details of the Forum, please refer to the relevant website at http://www.worldedreform.com/intercon3/third_wel.htm

13-14 September: Independent Learning Conference, Melbourne, http://www.independentlearning.org/index.htm

September: INDIGENOUS RESEARCHERS' FORUM 2003 The IRF 2003 will be held during or after the September semester break late in the year. The dates will be confirmed as soon as possible. The IRF 2003 will be held in Canberra at a venue to be confirmed. An IRF 2003 website will be established on the AIATSIS site at www.aiatsis.gov.au.

October 2003

30 October - 1 November: Interculturalism: Exploring Critical Issues, Milan, Italy, http://www.inter-disciplinary.net/interculturalism/interculturalism03cfp.htm 

13-15 November: Native Being, Being Native: Identity and Difference,  Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, Oklahoma, USA. Email: mspencer@sosu.edu

November 2003

29 November - 3 December: NZARE/AARE Conference 2003 - "Educational Research, Risks & Dilemmas", Hyatt Regency Hotel and University of Auckland, New Zealand, http://www.aare.edu.au/index.htm

April 2004

1-4 April: National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 2004 Conference meets in Vancouver,Westin Bayshore Hotel, http://www.educ.sfu.ca/narstsite/conference/

11-14 April: Asia Education Foundation's Third Linking Latitudes: Ha Noi, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos international conference for Australian educators, http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/aef/conference/index.html

May 2004

27-29 May: Indigenous Knowledges: Transforming the academy, Pennsylvania State University. Information for submitting proposals is available on the conference Web site: http://www.outreach.psu.edu/C&I/IndigenousKnowledges

July 2004

July 2004: CONASTA 53 - Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference, Canberra ACT

July 2004: Australasian Science Education Research Association (ASERA), 35th Annual Conference, University of New England, Armidale NSW

Sometime 2005 - World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education, Aotearoa New Zealand