The art of dialogue with indigenous communities in the new biotechnology world

Abstract

Te Hau Mihi Ata is a research project that aims to negotiate spaces for and develop processes of dialogue that allow for a deeper level of interaction between mātauranga Māori (Māori indigenous knowledge) and science. Over a two-year period a series of facilitated exchanges or “wānanga” were held focusing on areas of new technology (assisted reproductive technologies, life technologies, and future food technologies) that involved Māori scientists and people with expertise in mātauranga Māori. These dialogue events were designed to explore, through the challenge of considering new biotechnologies, the similarities and differences that emerge from approaching these issues from different knowledge paradigms. This paper will outline the key project findings from this series of exchanges including the barriers and facilitators to the dialogue process and knowledge exchange as well as discuss how participants created connections between scientific discourse and indigenous knowledge frameworks.