Thank you for a wonderful conference from Australia

June 16, 2009 by Vicki Grieves

Dear Robert

I met you briefly at the end of the NAISA conference. I write to express my gratitude for the wonderful hospitality shown to me by the Native American members of NAISA and the great opportunity for intellectual dialogue that occurred through your conference. I am also writing to Jean and Brenda of the University of Minnesota to thank them.

I have had contact with the Native people of north America and Canada since 1990 when a delegation came to Australia to assist our people to have government funding for treatment centres for substance misuse. Since then I have had the opportunity to visit various groups in their own country, with invitations to participate in sweats and other ceremonies. This cultural exchange has meant a great deal to me in my development as a person and an intellectual.

I have become a member of NAISA as that was a requirement to attend the conference. However, I am wondering whether an associate membership (without voting rights) may be more appropriate for Indigenous people from Australia and other countries. It is of course your call, but I for one would be more than satisfied with this arrangement.

As you may be aware, we have a biannual Indigenous Knowledges conference in this country and international guests are welcome to attend.

My contact details are below and I am happy to be of any assistance that I can be to you and NAISA in any way at all.

Sincerely

Vicki Grieves

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