Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiians), like many other Indigenous peoples, remain disproportionately underrepresented in institutions of postsecondary education and other career trajectories. This underrepresentation often results in Indigenous student populations being omitted from institutional data, research, curriculum, and pathways to showcase their talents. Additionally, the prevailing western hegemony fails to recognize the value of ancestral knowledge and the brilliance of traditional Indigenous methodologies in sustainability, healthcare, economic development, environmental management, and social justice. 

The scarce data that does exist validates that Indigenous students enroll, persist, and succeed in postsecondary education at rates lower than the general student population; and data also indicates that indigenous peoples experience a variety of problems in low income, homelessness, incarceration, and poor health under the current paradigm.

The Indigenous focus area for the 40th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity introduces an innovative approach to immerse Pac Rim participants in the preservation, revitalization, and application of Indigenous practices. It explores the unique educational practices and challenges faced by Indigenous students; in addition to talent in film, business, traditional and cultural values in sustainability, wellbeing, and healthcare. Additionally, this focus area will also showcase local community-based organizations and cultural practitioners to highlight Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being. These elements aim to inform and guide educational and social approaches, not only to inspire but also to empower Indigenous peoples to succeed and thrive in their endeavors. 

This initiative seeks to promote the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems, pedagogies, and worldviews across the broader educational and global landscape. We invite topics on traditional and contemporary Indigenous education practices, the role of language and culture in various areas, place-based and culture-based educational approaches, strategies for supporting Indigenous students with and without disabilities, disability challenges within Indigenous communities, the impact of policy and legislation on Indigenous education, Indigenous talent in modern fields such as filmmaking, research and implementation in wellbeing and healthcare, and broader issues that impact Indigenous peoples’ success in postsecondary education and the subsequent workforce. We also invite contributions from cultural practitioners and community leaders, whose firsthand experiences and wisdom are invaluable in enriching our understanding and application of Indigenous methodologies. 

We seek topics and cultural activities that cover traditional and contemporary Indigenous practices such as hula, lāʻau lapaʻau (Hawaiian herbal medicine), lei-making, mele (Hawaiian song), moʻolelo (storytelling), wayfinding, among others. This approach not only ensures a comprehensive exploration, immersion, and understanding of Indigenous practices and traditions, but also aims to cultivate transformative changes across the educational and global landscape, grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, and being.

Additionally, we invite passionate individuals committed to advancing Indigenous knowledge and practices to apply for our limited need-based scholarships to help make this singular global event as accessible as possible.