Indigenous
peoples’ conference
a big success

The week of cultural
exchange ends today with
a traditional luau

By Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin

After of week of cultural exchange, field trips and workshops, the World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education in Hilo ends this afternoon with a final general assembly followed by a traditional luau.

"It surpassed our wildest imaginations," Hilo conference director NoeNoe Wong-Wilson said yesterday.

"Everything just played out the way we dreamed. We're really, really pleased and what's special is that the community has participated and played a big part in the activities."

Organizers today are expected to name the 2002 host of the triennial conference, after receiving bids this week from indigenous groups for sites in Melbourne, Australia, and in Calgary, Canada.

Delegates also are expected to endorse the Coolongatta Statement on Indigenous Rights in Education, which will be given to a United Nations representative at today's general assembly, she said.

---

Melbourne and Calgary
are among sites bidding to host
the next triennial conference

Wong-Wilson said the years of planning for the conference have been worth it as the bonds between indigenous peoples have grown stronger. For example, there will be an official signing of an exchange agreement between the University of Wakato in New Zealand and the University of Hawaii-Hilo, one of many such exchanges that have been signed here, she said.

Also, delegates and the public have been coming out nightly for cultural performances at Edith Kanakaole Stadium. One of the highlights occurred yesterday, when a young Indian girl participated in a naming ceremony on stage in which she was given her Indian name by her grandfather. "It was really cool; we all got to witness it. It was like going to a wedding," Wong-Wilson said.

Media coordinator Kaimipono Kaiwi said most of the problems encountered this week were relatively minor. "We've learned from each day, and we've gotten smoother."

Kaiwi said response to the conference has been overwhelmingly favorable, with most people saying they felt welcome the minute they got off the airplane. Delegates praised the workshops, excursions and cultural events, she said.

"In fact, many people are saying it is a hard act to follow," Kaiwi said.

Wong-Wilson praised the 500 volunteers and organizers who helped put on the Aug. 1-7 event. A video documentary of the conference will be shown on 'Olelo in the future.

For now, she said, people can stay in touch with post-conference discussion at the official 1999 WIPCE Web site at

http://www.wipcehawaii.org.

The Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation hosted the 1999 conference. Pualani Kanaka'ole Kanahale, foundation president and conference co-chairwoman, had said she bid to host the event after she noticed at the 1996 conference a lack of awareness among delegates about Hawaiian culture and education.