Indigenous language revitalisation MOI
A significant step in the advancement of Indigenous language revitalisation efforts in Aotearoa and the United States was made with the signing of a manatu (memorandum of intent ) between institutes at AUT and Indiana University.
Te Ipukarea Research Institute, a Māori language, culture and knowledge institute hosted by AUT’s Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies (DCT), has formalised an ongoing partnership with Indiana University’s American Indian Studies Research Institute by signing the manatu on February 19, 2024.
Te Ipukarea Director, Professor Tania Ka'ai, says the agreement is significant for the advancement of language revitalisation efforts and underscores a mutual commitment to language documentation, revitalisation, policy, planning, and learning technology across the two universities.
“This Manatu will allow us to explore a range of opportunities for mahitahi (collaboration) based on Indigenous values, philosophies and world views,” Professor K’ai says.
“This includes staff and student exchanges and internships, conjoint research projects, conjoint postgraduate supervision, a conjoint postgraduate seminar series, writing retreats, conjoint publications and maybe even conjoint teaching of papers.
“It is an exciting development in our journey,” she says.
The partnership is guided by the tongikura (prophetic saying) of Kiingi Tawhiao:
“Maaku anoo hei hanga i tooku nei whare. Ko ngaa poupou he maahoe, he paatete ko te taahuhu he hiinau. Me whakatupu kite hua o te rengarenga me whakapakari kite hua o te kawariki,” which translates to: “I shall fashion my own house. The ridgepole will be of hiinau, the supporting posts of maahoe and paatete. Those who inhabit the house shall be raised on rengarenga and nurtured on kawariki.”
Professor Ka’ai says the manatu demonstrates the Universities’ commitment to fortifying their relationship and honouring their mutual and collective responsibility towards Indigenous peoples.
The manatu was signed by Professor Ka’ai and DCT Dean, Professor Guy Littlefair, alongside Dr Richard Henne-Ochoa, who is Director of the American Indian Studies Research Institute (AISRI) and Center for the Documentation of Endangered Languages at Indiana University.
Dr Henne-Ochoa, who is a visiting scholar at AUT until 5 March, says the agreement strengthens an already inspiring and mutually beneficial agreement between the institutes.
"AUT and Te Ipukarea have been a model to us at Indiana University, and at the American Indian Studies Research Institute specifically, because of your achievements and work,” he says.
“I hope at the same time we can add a perspective to your work that, in the end, benefits Indigenous peoples worldwide."
Professor Littlefair says the partnership is testament to dedication and global partnership in indigenous language revitalisation and the agreement partnership aligns with AUT's commitment to fostering meaningful relationships.