Indigenous perspectives on peace, power, and equity

Professor Neyooxet Greymorning will deliver a public lecture at Southern Cross University to mark International Peace Day, next Monday, September 21.

The lecture will begin by looking at a few examples of how Indigenous cultural ways of being have been eroded before moving on to discussing Indigenous jurisprudence, and specific worldviews and practices that traditionally help to maintain balance and equity.

“Presently Indigenous societies still exist that have remained relatively untouched by Western society,” Professor Greymorning said.

“Within these societies ancient codes still function to maintain balance within their communities. Through cultural systems of holistic governance, communities are not governed by power but are guided by a cultural sense of what is right and equitable for all.”

Professor Greymorning, from the Departments of Anthropology and Native American Studies at the University of Montana, said he was truly honoured to have been invited to deliver the International Peace Day lecture because of its relevance, especially at a time when Australian troops have suffered casualties on foreign soil.

“I hope to be able to share a few examples of a system of Indigenous governance that has helped to maintain balance for a number of Plains Indian communities,” he said.

“I believe that there are lessons that can be learned from the ways in which Indigenous communities traditionally self-govern, in lieu of constantly moving Indigenous people to conform to systems that have repeatedly failed their communities.”

The lecture has been sponsored by Southern Cross University’s Centre for Peace and Social Justice and will be held in the Whitebrook Theatre, Y-block, at the Lismore campus, from 1pm to 2pm.
It is free and open to the public.

Photo: Professor Neyooxet Greymorning, who will deliver the International Peace Day lecture at Southern Cross University next Monday, September 21.