2024 Massachusetts Gathering
As part of our U.S. National Science Foundation Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (NSF CBIKS) program work, Huliauapaʻa and the Matangireia Waka Trust represented the Pacific Islands Hub in Massachusetts for the NSF CBIKS Spring Gathering held in May 2024. The purpose of this gathering was to convene and connect with the various NSF CBIKS regional Hub’s. Including our Pacific Island Hub, the other regional Hub’s represented as part of the NSF CBIKS program represent areas from the Northeast, Midwest, Mountains and Prairies, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Alaska and Arctic, and Australia regions. The gathering that was held in Massachusetts facilitated the networking and collective learning that took place.
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Aunty Shirley Tuteao. Ruruhi, Maori knowledge holder and expert practitioner. No Tahaaroa.
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Each morning we participated in a sunrise ceremony guided by our Native American hosts in which we gave thanks for the blessings bestowed onto us, our people, and our work. The opening day we participated in a traditional sand scroll teaching that helped to engage the group in collective discussions regarding Protocols of Care. Throughout the duration of the program, we participated in Braiding Sessions where we had the opportunity to network and learn from the various NSF CBIKS Thematic Working Groups and gained a deeper understanding of the different expertise each group has to offer and brainstorm ways in which we could leverage these resources into our Hub’s work and desired interests. During our time together, our Hub also participated in a Data Sovereignty Training and received an introductory presentation on Data Sovereignty and Governance. Corrie Roe, Director of Outreach & Strategy at Local Contexts facilitated an insightful introduction into Local Contexts as a Data Sovereignty tool and shared valuable information regarding the Local Context Hub. The wealth of knowledge shared during the Braiding Sessions, training and presentations held during this gathering were inspiring to learn about and will be incorporated into our hui’s work as we continue to persist in caring for our wahi kūpuna throughout the Pae Moananuiākea.
The final day of our time in Massachusetts was spent getting our hands onto the ʻāina and helping to construct a traditional lodge building at the University of Massachusetts. This day was led by Darius Coombs, a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and the Cultural Outreach Coordinator for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Education Department and Jonathan Perry, a traditional singer, dancer, speaker, and carver who carries over fifteen years of experience working within the Tribal Historic Preservation Office and currently serves as a Councilman for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). The opportunity to learn from these master lodge builders and kōkua in setting the foundational posts and framing for this lodge mirrors the intention set forth for the NSF CBIKS program in carving new spaces for which indigenous knowledge systems are foundational stepping stones that serve to elevate all work moving forward.
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