The International Conference on
Policy towards Indigenous Peoples: Lessons to be learned and corresponding Workshop/Art
Exhibition November 30th – December 4th will be held in
Sapporo, Ainumosir. We have been preparing for the international conference and
corresponding art event for a couple of years with a view to stimulating a
debate on the future Ainu policy by assessing Indigenous policies of States in
light of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Hopefully, our
academic and art event will make a difference to the Ainu as well as other
Indigenous peoples. I am pleased to have an opportunity to participate in the
preparation for this event from the beginning. I will do my best for the
success of this event with my colleagues of the Ainu Women’s Association, a
host organization, in collaboration with other members of the organizing
committee. Lastly, all of the participants from North America, Fennoscandia,
Greenland, Hawai‘i and other countries/regions are warmly welcomed to Ainumosir.
Ryoko
Tahara, Representative of the Ainu Women’s Association
translated
by Hiroshi Maruyama
