Founding Director of Native American Program presents Canadian Studies Keynote Address

Nov 23, 2004

The University of Wollongong's Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies presented the 5th Nortel Network's Canadian Studies Keynote Address last week (Friday 19 November) at the Wollongong City Gallery.

The address was given by the Former Director of the Harvard University Native American Program and Professor at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Chief Leroy Little Bear.

Mr Little Bear was a recipient for the 2003 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards and, as the NAAA website states, he is a veteran educator and renowned academic. He is the founder of the Native American Studies Department at the University of Lethbridge where he served as Chair for 21 years. He then went on to become the Founding Director of Harvard University's Native American Program.

He has co-authored three texts and helped write Justice On Trial: The Report of Alberta's Task Force on the Criminal Justice System and its Impact on the Indian and Metis Peoples of Alberta. He is now recognised as one of the continent's leaders in the advancement and acceptance of North American Indian philosophy.

Mr Little Bear was introduced by Dr Anita Heiss, author of 'Who Am I? The Diary of Mary Talence and Dhuuluu-Yala (To Talk Straight): Publishing Aboriginal Literature'.

The discussion focussed on Native American Science and Western Science: The Possibilities for Powerful Collaboration.

**Watch this space: a more detailed summary of Mr Little Bear's address will be available soon

-RP