UPDATE ! AUGUST 2008 - Snowchange 2008 with the Maori Peoples

The next international Conference of the Snowchange Cooperative will be with the Maori peoples of New Zealand in December 2008. In co-incides with the conclusion of the International Polar Year 2007 – 2008 and celebrates the Indigenous peoples of North and South coming together.

We are, after intense and behind-the-scenes work, soon able to post here the

registration and programme information about Snowchange 2008. These will

become available at the end of August 2008. 

It will be held from December 3rd to 8th, 2008 in the Taranaki (New Plymouth) region

of New Zealand. Snowchange associated local and Indigenous delegates, please

take contact with Tero Mustonen immediately about partial accommodation and other

support.

We are preparing the event in addition to Maori peoples with Institute of the Indigenous Peoples

of Siberia in Russia, Northern Forum Academy, Saami Council leaders, and many, many others.

Please check back in 1-2 weeks for full programme and other information. 

A message from the organisational team of Snowchange 2008:
”The kaupapa of Snowchange is to research the implications of snowchange on indigenous knowledge – specifically, indigenous peoples in the Arctic Circle.
Mahinekura Reinfeld attended the Snowchange Conference in Anchorage, Alaska in 2005. After some discussion it became apparent that we organize a hui within the next year to take place in Taranaki. It was requested that a Maori Elder Huirangi Waikerepuru to be part of this.
Te Hurihanga Haupapa Charitable Trust has been established to support the planning of this exciting hui which will include indigenous peoples of the Arctic Circle and other areas of the world with an interest and who are prepared to be responsible in proactive conservation pursuits in global change/snowchange.”