UC Ngai Tahu Research Centre hosts Tribal Economy Conference
The University of Canterbury Ngāi Tahu Research Centre is hosting an international conference this week on what is
needed to create a tribal economy.
Economic development experts, including from First Nations, have come to attend the Kai hiku, kai ūpoko: Tribal Economic
Wānanga, with conference speakers from British Colombia and Alaska in Canada, Arizona in the United States and New
Zealand.
Director of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, Associate Professor Te Maire Tau says that the discussion is a vital one to
have in New Zealand as tribal economies have a larger impact than just financially.
“Culture and wealth go hand in hand. Our rūnanga were really designed to have the same powers as provincial government.
It’s about generating wealth on our reserves and our villages and creating economic conditions to allow our people to
flourish.”
Dr Tau says that Liz Medicine Crow is a fascinating speaker with her knowledge of and interest in tribal governance and
organisations. A major theme throughout her education and work has been the continued integration of tribal values and
traditional knowledge into relationships and work within modern corporate bodies and governments.
“Liz Medicine Crow has been discussing how her people took responsibility for the social welfare of her people and often
that meant the community had to make hard decisions.”
The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre was established in 2011 as a joint initiative between Ngāi Tahu and the University of
Canterbury, to lead indigenous scholarship and to provide a centre for the intellectual capital and development of Ngāi
Tahu, the principal Māori iwi of the southern region of New Zealand.
Kai hiku, kai ūpoko: Tribal Economic Wānanga, hosted by the UC Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, takes place at the University
of Canterbury, 25-27 February.
Among the Wānanga speakers are:
Liz Medicine Crow (Haida/Tlingit, Alaska):
Liz Medicine Crow, Haida/Tlingit, is from Keex Kwaan (Kake), Alaska. On her Haida side she is Eagle Tiits Gitee Nei,
Hummingbird. On her Tlingit side she is Raven Kaach.adi, Fresh Water-marked Sockeye Salmon. She received her BA from
Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree and a Certificate in Indian Law
from Arizona State University College of Law. She is the President/CEO of the First Alaskans Institute.
CT Manny Jules
Elder of the Secwepemc, co- founding member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and Chief Commissioner, First Nations
Tax Commission. Manny Jules has developed his reservation on the Kamloops as well as legislation for the economic
development unique to his people. Manny took a lead role in his people managing their own financial affairs and having
their right to self-government - mana-motuhake - recognised in legislation. He is visiting New Zealand on a UC Maori and
Indigenous Studies Fellowship.
ENDS