We officially launched the Indigenous Research Network!The Indigenous Research Network (IRN) produced this introduction video with a New Zealand Māori focus that was launched during the GRA side event in the Pacific Pavilion at COP27 in Egypt on 12 November 2022. WATCH BELOW 
We had our first annual IRN wānanga (meeting)
The Indigenous Research Network had its first annual meeting hosted in New Zealand, 30-31 May 2023. Held at Hirangi Marae in Turangi and hosted by Ngāti Tuwharetoa, a Māori tribe in New Zealand, this meeting was attended by over 150 people in person and representatives from 39 different countries online. We connected
New Zealand hosted an International Delegation from Thailand, Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga to participate in a study tour hosted by three different Māori tribes: Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau ā Apanui, and Te Whakatōhea. Following Cyclone Gabrielle (a recent cyclone in NZ), our international delegation experienced on-ground responses in action, projecting the urge for Indigenous-to-Indigenous collaboration against this shared threat. |
We promoted the IRN at Global ForumsThe United States invited IRN co-lead Shiloh Babbington to be a keynote speaker at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Seattle, Washington. 
"I took this opportunity to hold people accountable for the barriers we face as indigenous women. I urged the world to increase access to resources for Indigenous women because that would create more sustainable and resilient communities." We showed the Power of Inclusivity
On 1 November, the Global Research Alliance (GRA) hosted a virtual workshop in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) called “Indigenous Research Network: The Power of Inclusivity.” This workshop focused on gathering young emerging leaders working in their communities to share their experiences and explore indigenous-led measures to reduce the impact of climate change on food systems and food security. WATCH BELOW 
This workshop series is hosted by New Zealand and co-sponsored by Australia, the United States, Canada, and Peru. This workshop was a successful step in connecting indigenous communities around the world through the exchange of traditional knowledge and methods of learning, and empowering young indigenous voices in global climate conversations, decisions, and actions. |
The bond we share with Mapuche
- Patagonia, Argentina
In April 2023, IRN co-chair Katerina Porou contributed to workshops organised by FONTAGRO (The Latin America Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology) between New Zealand and Mapuche in Patagonia, Argentina.
Katerina visited Mapuche from five different tribal communities in Patagonia. These relationships built in-person will grow on-going collaboration and sharing of knowledge and experiences between Mapuche and Māori communities through proposed projects.
"When we were leaving Patagonia, the Mapuche gifted me their ancestors to take back to New Zealand, this meant a lot to me, and it shows how much the conversations meant to them as well. The connections I made in Patagonia had an impact on me then and to this day influences the work we do in the IRN. This was an eye-opening experience that made me realise the strong connection we share as indigenous peoples and the urgent need for indigenous communities to unite in the face of climate change." - Katerina
Pacific Representation on a global stage, FAO
- Rome, Italy
The FAO United Nations Global Indigenous Youth Forum was held in Rome, Italy in October 2023. In support of the IRN, New Zealand supported two young indigenous leaders to join the Pacific Youth Delegation: Hatamara Titifanue Shaw representing Fiji and Krystal Elizabeth Selwood Juffa representing Samoa.
"It is my belief that we as young people have a long way to go with voicing these issues that may seem minuscule and overlooked but I am certain that with spaces such as this that allow us to provide our knowledge and approach, we are given hope that this is the beginning to a change that can reframe, restructure and readdress the systems that we have adopted which weren’t made for us." - Krystal
"The Pacific region continues to remain a minority in many global forums held today. However, the Pacific is the centre of the most pressing crisis we face today, climate change. Our voice must remain united on this matter, a Blue Pacific voice. FAO and the indigenous WFF youth forum presented an opportunity to raise issues such as climate change while also exploring issues linked namely food safety, food sovereignty, health and so much more. Our Pacific delegation displayed that the Pacific is strong and united and that your unique cultures and traditions hold the key to improving issues related to food that we face today amidst the climate crisis." - Hatamara
Indigenous presence in WTO
- Geneva, Switzerland
Carrie Stoddart-Smith (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua), Founder and Principal Indigenous Trade and Economies Consultant at OpinioNative, led this mission for Aotearoa and is actively engaged in this field.
The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Public Forum 2023 provided a platform for Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants from Aotearoa, Canada, and Australia to make valuable contributions to trade dialogue and highlight the diverse impacts of trade on our lives, livelihoods and our rights and freedoms. This collaboration was facilitated by a transnational partnership between INDIGI-X (Canada) and OpinioNative (Aotearoa), supported by the Global Research Alliance’s Indigenous Research Network.
"The transformative power of storytelling, shaping our past, present, and future, underscores the critical need for an Indigenous presence at the Public Forum. However, our impact must extend beyond mere presence. It's about weaving our narratives with actionable calls and charting a strategic and purposeful course forward for Indigenous Peoples. The diversity of Indigenous voices at these Forums is vital. We must expand Indigenous representation to encompass the plurality of perspectives of the more than 470 million Indigenous and Tribal Peoples globally. Cultivating strategic alliances among interested groups will further streamline efforts, minimise duplication, and amplify our collective impact." - Carrie
Thai - Māori
Farm demonstration
Partnership project being co-developed between Whareponga Whenua Collective per Pahiitaua Inc in New Zealand and the Agri-Nature Foundation in Thailand (Mab Aung Natural Agriculture Learning Centre). This will explore the Thai and NZ Māori values and land management practices to investigate tailored approaches for climate mitigation through informing incentives to change, renewable energy solutions and food security. This will enable livelihoods and productivity through nature-based solutions and integrated farming practices premised on soil health.
A Thai delegation travelled to New Zealand to meet with Māori communities in May 2023. This travel is being reciprocated to strengthen the relationship between both communities. A delegation of Māori from New Zealand is currently in Thailand having life-changing experiences that we look forward to highlighting in our next newsletter!
"I flew across oceans and seas for 16 hours. I found my tribe on the other side of the world.
Even though we speak different languages, what's important is that we share the same values of honouring the wisdom of our ancestors." - Tang
Thai and NZ Māori connecting for the first time online
Thai delegation on New Zealand soil for the first time
Māori delegation on Thai soil for the first time
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Virtual Flagship workshop series
Join our virtual workshop. We will work together to build a GRA Flagship project, consisting of multiple member countries working towards a shared goal to be achieved within a three-to-four-year period. |
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Second Annual Meeting/Workshop
Join our workshop for the opportunity to immerse yourself in the passion and love indigenous people share for their land and the traditional knowledge we will use to protect it. You will have the opportunity to network with likeminded people globally, share your culture, share your voice, and contribute to the activities of this global network. Friday 24 May 2024 |
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GRA-APEC: The Power of Inclusivity
The workshop will:
1. Connect Indigenous communities together though the exchange of traditional knowledge and practices related to food safety and security.
2. Promote the positive role of Indigenous led methods to reduce the impacts of climate change in communities.
3. Advocate the importance of inclusion of all people specifically young indigenous people as our future leaders in this space.
Saturday 12 August 2024
Trujillo, Peru
Hosted by New Zealand
Co-sponsored by Australia, the United States, Canada, and Peru
Email me for more information:
Shiloh.Babbington@mpi.govt.nz
Ainu Stories:
Contemporary Lives by the Saru River
There is a virtual version of the exhibition, accessible anywhere in the world.
The United Kingdom currently have an exhibition about Ainu culture, created in collaboration with an indigenous community in northern Japan. This exhibition shares personal stories of members of the community of Nibutani, in Biratori, and offer visitors the chance to experience Ainu culture from the inside through language, song, dance, society and craft.
Historically, like many indigenous communities, members of the Ainu community were not able to fully express their distinct culture. However, this movement to celebrate and sustain the Ainu language, textiles, crafts and traditions continues to gather pace, in particular among younger members of the Ainu community.
Katerina Porou Ngāti Tūwharetoa, |
Ruth Aickin Faala, Palauli Savai'i |
Shiloh Babbington Ngāti Porou, |
New Zealand (Co-Chair), Samoa (Co-
Chair), Argentina, Algeria, Australia,
Bangladesh, Brazil, Benin, Canada,
Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Eswatini,
Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Peru, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Tunisia, United States, Zambia,
and Zimbabwe.
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