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  1. Melbourne School of Design
  2. Indigenous Design Symposium
About Speakers Program Register

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the ancient lands on which we will gather for this symposium, the peoples of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge that the land, sea and sky were never ceded and pay our deepest respect to Elders, past, present and future.

Register now

Indigenous Design – Past | Present | Future

Indigenous design perspectives are gaining great currency recently in Australia and in Melbourne in particularly. However, the contribution, methodology and inspirations of Indigenous design professionals and thinkers is largely concealed from view.

Titled ‘Go Back to Where You Came From: Indigenous Design – Past | Present | Future’ the inaugural Symposium of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning (ABP) has been carefully curated as a provocation to explore the role of Indigenous design, to showcase a range of established local and international First Nations design practitioners across a diversity of disciplines and an opportunity to reveal design approaches, which straddle interconnected themes of culture, Country and identity.

This gathering will reveal a range of distinct insights drawn from many experiences, people and forms of cultural expression, including but not limited to architecture, landscape architecture, communication design, planning, interior design, spatial design along with community perspectives

An Indigenous led approach to knowledge exchange seeks to embrace complexity, demystify and challenge stereotypes, while celebrating history, memory and place.

We invite you to listen, learn, participate and engage in what will be a culturally immersive experience of presentations and conversations, enriched by speakers from Canada to El Salvador, New Zealand to South Africa, as well as the diverse mosaic that is Indigenous Australia.

Jefa Greenaway (Wailwan | Kamilaroi)
Conference Convenor
Lecturer - Indigenous Curriculum Development
Melbourne School of Design

In collaboration with

This event is endorsed by the International Council of Design

About the artwork

In this commissioned piece’s interpretation by Mick Harding, Taunwurrung and Kulin and Frida Larios, Maya-pipil: two cultures speak to the Indigenous Design Symposium and beyond. We see the Kulin peoples's Bunjil deity sees through heavens carrying the Maya Kakaw (chocolate) fruit and skull in its wings, representing our ancestors. Bunjil is ready to fly while the immortal Cacao (Kakaw) root with encrusted diamond pattern, binds him to eternal Mother Earth.

Blak Design Matters

Blak Design Matters
National Survey of Contemporary Indigenous Design
Curated by Jefa Greenaway
Koori Heritage Trust
21 July – 30 September 2018

International speakers

  • Mphethi M. Morojele
    Mphethi M. Morojele

    Lesotho (South Africa)

  • Daniel Glenn
    Daniel Glenn

    Crow (USA)

  • Rau Hoskins
    Rau Hoskins

    Ngā Puhi/Māori (New Zealand)

  • Frida Larios
    Frida Larios

    Maya/Pipil (El Salvador)

  • Phillippe Meilleur
    Phillippe Meilleur

    Mohawk (Canada)

  • Howard Munroe
    Howard Munroe

    Métis (Canada)

  • Albert Refiti
    Albert Refiti

    Vaovai in Falealili (Samoa)

  • Desna Whaanga-Schollum
    Desna Whaanga-Schollum

    Rongomaiwahine/Maori (New Zealand)

Australian speakers

  • Dillon Kombumerri
    Dillon Kombumerri

    Yugembir

  • Mandy Nicholson
    Mandy Nicholson

    Wurundjeri

  • N'arweet Carolyn Briggs
    N'arweet Carolyn Briggs

    Boon Wurrung

  • Uncle Paul Briggs OAM
    Uncle Paul Briggs OAM

    Yorta Yorta

  • Elly Chatfield
    Elly Chatfield

    Kamilaroi

  • Jefa Greenaway
    Jefa Greenaway

    Wailwan/Kamilaroi

  • Mick Harding
    Mick Harding

    Yowong-Illam-Baluk

  • Paul Herzich
    Paul Herzich

    Ngarrindjeri/Kaurna

  • Francoise Lane
    Francoise Lane

    Torres Strait Islander

  • Lyndon Ormond-Parker
    Lyndon Ormond-Parker

    Alyawarr

  • Sarah Lynn Rees
    Sarah Lynn Rees

    Palawa/Plangermaireeneer

  • Dr Meghan Kelly
    Dr Meghan Kelly
  • Dr Russell Kennedy
    Dr Russell Kennedy
  • Maiko Sentina
    Maiko Sentina

indigAKUCHA

  • Lazarus Cinnabar
    Lazarus Cinnabar

    Yidinji Djabugayawa

  • Diana Albarrán González
    Diana Albarrán González

    Mestiza; Nahua/P’urhépecha (México)

  • Jade Kake
    Jade Kake

    Ngāpuhi (Ngāti Hau me Te Parawhau), Te Whakatōhea and Te Arawa

  • Maddison Miller
    Maddison Miller

    Darug

  • Michael McMahon
    Michael McMahon

    Bundjalung

  • Louis Mokak
    Louis Mokak

    Djugun

  • Louis Mokak
    Charles Solomon

    Gubbi Gubbi and Monero/Ngargio

  • Keri Whaitiri
    Keri Whaitiri

    Ngāi Tahu; Ngāti Kahungunu; Nederlandse

Welcome and Opening Speakers

  • Professor Julie Willis
    Professor Julie Willis

  • Associate Provost Professor Marcia Langton
    Associate Provost Professor Marcia Langton

    Yiman/Bidjara

Facilitators

  • Nikki Moodie
    Nikki Moodie

    Kamilaroi

  • Signature Keynote and Exhibition Opening

    Wednesday 18 July, 2018
    Exhibition opening with signature keynotes and dance performances.

    View
  • Day 1

    Thursday 19 July, 2018
    Conference opening, presentations, keynotes and indigAKUCHA.

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  • Day 2

    Friday 20 July, 2018
    Presentations, keynotes, Yarning Circles and speakers' reception.

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  • Day 3 (Optional)

    Saturday 21 July, 2018
    Brambuk Tour and Exhibition Opening: Blak Design Matters.

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See the full program

Multiple registration options are available including signature keynote and exhibition opening (free public event), two or three day conference registration.

Register now

Dates

18–21 July, 2018

Location

Go Back to Where You Came From will take place at the Melbourne School of Design building, on the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus. Further information about public transport and parking options can be found online.

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