Intersecting Interests: Tribal Knowledge and Research Communities

This gathering represents a unique Montana-Indian guided opportunity to create formal dialogue among researchers and tribal knowledge keepers regarding Tribal Knowledge Guardianship. The conference will take place at Chico Hot Springs, April 8-10th 2009 during the week of the 34th Annual MSU-Bozeman American Indian Council Pow Wow.

The goals of the conference are:

To create a forum for critical, timely dialogue about indigenous knowledge.
To provide an opportunity for tribal and academic communities to identify common concerns and priorities for valuing, appreciating, and expanding knowledge.
To continue the conversation on the values and earned rights of transfer surrounding indigenous knowledge, research, and community well-being.
To afford tribal and academic communities a common meeting ground to discuss the issues of indigenous research, data collection, and data ownership.

Rites vs Rights: Discussion about protecting tribal knowledge, as well as ensuring the protection of academic liability, must take place in order to support human rights, human subject protection and assurance of unquestionably principled research across all disciplines.