Moana Jackson
As a Maori lawyer and academic from New Zealand, I have been aware for many years of the high regard within which Professor Churchill is held by indigenous peoples around the world. It has therefore been with some concern that I have watched the investigation of Professor Churchill by the University of Colorado, especially given the generally accepted international recognition of the validity and methodologies of indigenous knowledge.
In New Zealand, Maori people are very clear that the western intellectual tradition has not, and still does not, adequately acknowledge or respect any indigenous critique or interrogation which conflicts with its own received wisdom. Thus it would be of concern to Maori and, I am sure, to other indigenous peoples around the world that the committee investigating the work of Professor Churchill contained no American Indians or members with expertise in either indigenous history or intellectual methodologies. One cannot imagine such a committee investigating the work of a physicist without the advantage of a physicist as a member of the committee.
There are, clearly, academic and intellectual standards which must be adhered to in any intellectual endeavor but it is clear that there are equally relevant and valid indigenous standards which have for many years underpinned Professor Churchill’s work. It will be of concern to the international indigenous academic community that the University is unaware of, or has deliberately chosen to ignore, the standards demanded within an indigenous intellectual tradition which Professor Churchill has endeavored to reflect and adhere to over the years.
Moana Jackson
Director, Maori Law Commission
Wellington, New Zealand
May 16, 2006
