Honouring Words Aotearoa - Whakatairanga i te Kupu
3rd International Indigenous Authors Celebration Tour
As they flew through te ao Maori,
nga manu gave voice to the wairua
of our people; from te kore,
back before the beginning
to te ao hurihuri,
nga manu have sung our songs
told our tales
delivered our messages and our tohu
retained the secrets me nga korero o nehera.
They are the kaitiaki of our stories.
~
Honouring Words Aotearoa: 3rd International Indigenous Authors Celebration Tour exalts Indigenous writing and writers from Canada, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing readings and performances of their work to audiences throughout the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Drawing on common oral traditions of old, as well as the modern experience, Indigenous literature and its writers bring a unique voice to the literary traditions of the world.
Honouring Words Aotearoa embraces the voices of writers working across cultural, societal and political boundaries to provide a rich dialogue of universal importance, whether in the genre of poetry, prose, theatre or film.
The inaugural Honouring Words: International Indigenous Authors Celebration Tour was conceived by Canadian writer and publisher Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm (Anishnaabe) and was held in Canada in October, 2002. The second Honouring Words tour took place in Australia in August, 2003.
Te Ha - Contemporary Maori Writers committee of Toi Maori Aotearoa now welcomes Indigenous writers to Aotearoa to join us for the third Honouring Words tour. The programme will include literary events and visits to Wananga (Maori universities) marae, libraries and schools as well as sincere cultural experiences and exchanges.
Tour dates: 3 - 13 March 2005
The touring writers are:
Canada
Marilyn Dumont (Cree, Métis) - poet
Thomas King (Cherokee, Greek) - novelist, actor, photographer
Sharon Shorty (Tlingit, Northern Tutchone, Norwegian) - storyteller, playwright, actor
Australia
Kenny Laughton (Aboriginal) - novelist, poet
Kerry Reed-Gilbert (Wiradjuri) - poet
Jared Thomas (Nukunu) - novelist, playwright
Aotearoa
Hinemoana Baker (Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa Rangatira, Te Ati Awa, Kai Tahu, Ngati Kiritea) - poet, playwright, musician
Joe Harawira (Ngati Maniapoto, Ngai te Rangi, Ngati Awa) - storyteller
Robert Sullivan (Nga Puhi) - poet, children's writer
Guest writers include:
James George (Nga Puhi) - novelist
Patricia Grace (Ngati Toa, Ngati Raukawa and Te Atiawa) - novelist, short story writer
profiles/briar_grace_smith (Nga Puhi, Ngati Wai) - playwright, short story writer
Apirana Taylor - poet, playwright
profiles/Renée (Ngati Kahungunu) - novelist, playwright
Honouring Words Aotearoa is generously funded by Te Waka Toi - the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand. Toi Maori Aotearoa acknowledges the support and partnership of the Canada Council, Australia Council for the Arts, and Canadian High Commission, Wellington.