The conference themes of indigenizing and opening academia did not at first glance appear to sit well together. In the first instance, questions abound as to how we ensure the inclusion of indigenous voices, ways of being and knowledge into the Higher Education context, in particular since the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee have been published. The other theme of open education also raises questions, but would those who are interested in one, be interested in the other theme?

I am interested in both concerns, but my primary reason for attending the conference was in search of knowledge and understanding around indigenous issues.

 

 

The conference was well organized and engaging. Despite my initial focus, I had plenty of opportunities to widen my knowledge about and appreciation of the challenges faced in trying to make increasing numbers of resources available for all. I met my original aim of finding out more about indigenous issues, but given my relative newness to the subject it is no surprise that I left with more questions than answers.

What surprised me most was the intersection of indigenous and open issues. In particular one of the elders who led us in two engaging sessions, was noticeably uncomfortable around the premise of open resources. She explained how she and her contemporaries felt they had freely given so much of their knowledge and shared their culture with little or no return, that they now felt reluctant to give yet more with no guarantee of a return. I found this a troubling and absorbing idea, and one that I keep returning - is open always good. When might it not be. To what extend can we separate knowledge from culture.