Honouring Words: 2nd International Indigenous Authors Celebration Tour Australia
Tour dates: July 29 , August 13 2003
| Date | Venue | City | Country | Duration |
Drawing on the success and excitement ignited at the inaugural Honouring Words Tour in Canada, October 2002, indigenous writers from North America, Australia and Aotearoa will gather and tour July - August, 2003.
Toi Maori are pleased to announce that the writers representing Aotearoa for 2003 are:
Briar Grace-Smith
Joe Harawira
Phil Kawana
John Pule
International Indigenous Writers Honour the Power of Words.
Three of the world's oldest cultures will come together to share the power of words and storytelling as part of 'Honouring Words: the second International Indigenous Authors Celebration Tour'.
Following on from the successful inaugural tour in Canada last year, Honouring Words 2003 will provide the platform for award-winning authors from Australia, Canada and Aotearoa (New Zealand) who will share literary works to Australian audiences, enabling the general public to participate in forums and cultural exchanges.
The tour will kick off with a community event in Brisbane coordinated by local writer Sam Watson, and will include a cultural welcome into Brisbane city by traditional owners and performances by local dancers. The Hon. Matt Foley, Minster for the Arts will address the international guests and local writers, speaking on the role of governments in ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard and that the truths of shared histories are known.
'It is exciting for Brisbane to be the host city for the welcoming of the Honouring Words contingent of writers. Brisbane and the surrounding area is rich in writers who want to engage with local and international writers about the issues, roles and responsibilities they face as creators and ambassadors. It will be the beginning of what promises to be a great tour,' Mr Foley said.
Also recognising the significance of the tour, Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp, Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport said, 'Honouring Words is a great opportunity to hear the words and visions of Indigenous writers. Audiences will gain an insight into their diversity of experiences, as well as those things they have in common'.
Touring writers from Canada include Lee Maracle, Richard Van Camp, Rita Mestokosho, Louise B Halfe and Armand Ruffo. Writers representing Aoteraroa are Briar Grace-Smith, John Pule, Phil Kawana and Joe Harawira. Australian writers participating include Doris Pilkington, Wesley Enoch, Samuel Wagan Watson, Lisa Bellear, Bob Randall, Kenny Laughton and Romaine Moreton.
The tour runs from 30 July to 12 August and includes a significant presence at the Byron Bay Writers' Festival before taking in Sydney and Alice Springs. Satellite events will be held in Melbourne, Canberra, Katoomba and Newcastle.
Honouring Words is a strategic initiative between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board and the Literature Board of the Australia Council, in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts and Toi Maori.
Maori Writers National Hui
A great opportunity to meet other writers, attend workshops and keep a finger on the pulse of contemporary Maori literature.
- Fri 17 Oct, Wellington Town Hall, Wellington
National Maori Music Summit
The National Moari Music Summit brings together Maori musicians and culminates in a finale concert, Pao Pao Pao
- Mon 27 Oct, Wellington Town Hall, Wellington