"It was inspiring to learn from so many wonderful leaders."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
"It was inspiring to learn from so many wonderful leaders."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
This project was conceived as a way to celebrate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada and reflect on its different meanings across diverse experiences from Indigenous voices across the Asia Pacific region, where 70% of the global Indigenous population resides. I led a team of researchers (Tae Yeon Eom, Sue Jeong, Momo Sakudo) to collaborate with Indigenous leaders, scholars, and advocates from Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada, reflecting on what truth and reconciliation means for their communities, the challenges they face, and how cross-border collaboration might advance Indigenous rights and awareness. In this article, we are honoured to partner with: Atayal filmmaker Limuy Asien from Taiwan, Māori educator Mikaere Berryman-Kamp from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Ngāti Porou lecturer Dr. Kiri Dell from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Pinuyumayan cultural and political leader Trau Pakaruku Sawma from Taiwan (translation by Professor Scott Simon), Ainu scholar and artist Dr. Kanako Uzawa from Japan / Norway and Cree-Métis finance professional Raylene Whitford from Canada.
This project was conceived as a way to celebrate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada and reflect on its different meanings across diverse experiences from Indigenous voices across the Asia Pacific region, where 70% of the global Indigenous population resides. I led a team of researchers (Tae Yeon Eom, Sue Jeong, Momo Sakudo) to collaborate with Indigenous leaders, scholars, and advocates from Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand, and Canada, reflecting on what truth and reconciliation means for their communities, the challenges they face, and how cross-border collaboration might advance Indigenous rights and awareness. In this article, we are honoured to partner with: Atayal filmmaker Limuy Asien from Taiwan, Māori educator Mikaere Berryman-Kamp from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Ngāti Porou lecturer Dr. Kiri Dell from Aotearoa/New Zealand, Pinuyumayan cultural and political leader Trau Pakaruku Sawma from Taiwan (translation by Professor Scott Simon), Ainu scholar and artist Dr. Kanako Uzawa from Japan / Norway and Cree-Métis finance professional Raylene Whitford from Canada.
Key Insights
Their narratives delve into the multifaceted challenges and triumphs. The contributors highlight recurring themes despite their diverse geographical and cultural contexts. Many emphasize that genuine reconciliation requires acknowledging historical truths about colonization and land dispossession before healing can begin. From Taiwan's struggles with land demarcation and territorial exploitation to Japan's need for official government apologies regarding stolen Ainu ancestral remains, each community faces unique obstacles in their pursuit of justice. Several contributors note that true reconciliation isn't merely symbolic but requires tangible policy changes, resource reallocation, and the return of ancestral lands and cultural autonomy.
The contributors propose that although national contexts vary, Indigenous communities globally can enhance their collective voice through shared experiences, united advocacy, and the exchange of effective strategies for securing recognition, rights, and reconciliation in their respective countries.
Key Insights
Their narratives delve into the multifaceted challenges and triumphs. The contributors highlight recurring themes despite their diverse geographical and cultural contexts. Many emphasize that genuine reconciliation requires acknowledging historical truths about colonization and land dispossession before healing can begin. From Taiwan's struggles with land demarcation and territorial exploitation to Japan's need for official government apologies regarding stolen Ainu ancestral remains, each community faces unique obstacles in their pursuit of justice. Several contributors note that true reconciliation isn't merely symbolic but requires tangible policy changes, resource reallocation, and the return of ancestral lands and cultural autonomy.
The contributors propose that although national contexts vary, Indigenous communities globally can enhance their collective voice through shared experiences, united advocacy, and the exchange of effective strategies for securing recognition, rights, and reconciliation in their respective countries.
View Article
Reading the actual text from the six contributors is more impactful than this summary could ever be, so please read the article for yourself. I’d be keen to partner with other Indigenous Peoples from around the world on similar projects, regardless of whether they are about advancing and deepening understanding about decolonization, truth and reconciliation, transitional justice, business and trade or the like.
Limuy Asien et al. “Indigenous Perspectives: Voices from the Asia Pacific on Truth and Reconciliation.” Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. September 23, 2023.
View Article
Reading the actual text from the six contributors is more impactful than this summary could ever be, so please read the article for yourself. I’d be keen to partner with other Indigenous Peoples from around the world on similar projects, regardless of whether they are about advancing and deepening understanding about decolonization, truth and reconciliation, transitional justice, business and trade or the like.
Limuy Asien et al. “Indigenous Perspectives: Voices from the Asia Pacific on Truth and Reconciliation.” Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. September 23, 2023.
Latest projects
Asia/Indo-Pacific
Japan-Canada Research and Policy Network
Exploring new horizons in trade, diplomacy, media and innovation
Asia/Indo-Pacific
Japan-Canada Research and Policy Network
Exploring new horizons in trade, diplomacy, media and innovation
Indigenous Internationalism
Indigenous Reconciliation in Canada, Taiwan, and Japan
Cross-Pacific Indigenous connections, cultural revitalization, policy reform, and pathways to justice
Indigenous Internationalism
Indigenous Reconciliation in Canada, Taiwan, and Japan
Cross-Pacific Indigenous connections, cultural revitalization, policy reform, and pathways to justice
Latest projects
Asia/Indo-Pacific
Japan-Canada Research and Policy Network
Exploring new horizons in trade, diplomacy, media and innovation
Indigenous Internationalism
Indigenous Reconciliation in Canada, Taiwan, and Japan
Cross-Pacific Indigenous connections, cultural revitalization, policy reform, and pathways to justice
