B2: Indigenous Rights, Responsibilities, and Resiliencies in British Columbia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Tracks
2
| Sunday, November 29, 2026 |
| 2:25 PM - 3:40 PM |
| RHLT2 |
Overview
Stream: Indigenous Sovereignty, Knowledge and Decolonisation
Paper / Session Submitter
Professor Bryony Onciul
Chair Of Museology And Heritage
University Of Exeter
Indigenous Rights, Responsibilities, and Resiliencies in British Columbia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Summary Abstract
The discussion session brings together Indigenous heritage experts from Canada, Aotearoa New Zealand, and UK, to introduce a multi-year international research project focusing on Indigenous heritage, rights, responsibilities, and resiliencies in the environmental emergency. As a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team, we will discuss the value of taking a hyper-local approach to Indigenising transformative capacity and resiliency.
We will share work on re-enlivening and uplifting cultural practises for the next generation, demonstrating ways to weave, reconnect, and repair knowledge fragmented and disrupted by colonial processes. We will discuss how the research has built-in community indicators of success and community definitions of resiliency, and how it is designed to support community authority and local decision making in stewarding ancestral territories in a time of accelerating climate change.
We will share work on re-enlivening and uplifting cultural practises for the next generation, demonstrating ways to weave, reconnect, and repair knowledge fragmented and disrupted by colonial processes. We will discuss how the research has built-in community indicators of success and community definitions of resiliency, and how it is designed to support community authority and local decision making in stewarding ancestral territories in a time of accelerating climate change.
Biographies
Professor Bryony Onciul, Personal Chair in Museology and Heritage Studies, University of Exeter, Future Leaders Fellow. Project lead, specialises in community engagement, environmental change, and Indigenous rights.
Professor Regan Early, Associate Professor in Conservation Biology, University of Exeter. Project Co-Investigator, specialises in predicting how shifting species ranges will impact ecosystems, informing conservation strategies.
Dr Sarah Forgesson (Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Raukawa), project PDRA, specialises in plural knowledge systems for collaborative, transformative, equitable adaptation of heritage for communities.
Dr Awhina Tamarapa (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Ruanui), project PDRA, specialises in taonga Māori, exhibitions, collections research, and a broad range of cultural practices.
Dr Snxakila Clyde Tallio, Cultural Director of the Nuxalk Nation, Alkw ceremonial speaker and historian. Snxakila has dedicated 20+ years to the revitalization of Nuxalk culture, language, ceremonies, and laws.
Wapat Alec Willie, Food Security Director for the Nuxalk Nation. Wapat works with his community to restore relationships with food, culture, and land.
Lee Luke (Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Maniapoto), project Research Assistant, has governance roles on Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua.
Dr Lorraine Eade (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Rārua, Rangitane, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Koata, Te Atiawa, Ngai Tahu) is the Pou Rangahau Mātua for the Tokomaru Research Centre.
