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Waikato academic and creative writer, Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, has been invited by prominent US author Toni Morrison, and Gayatri Spivak, to participate with them in a panel at the Modern Language Association's 2004 Convention in Philadelphia. The title of the convention is The Future of Humanities in a Fragmented World. Ngahuia's section will focus on the inscribed Mäori/Pacific body (Ta Moko) as a symbol of popular culture, and as a unique visual and strong language of its own. As a writer, this theme occurs in her own fiction; her most recent book is Ruahine - Mythic Women, published last year by Huia Press. "Moko has become a popular symbol in western popular culture, especially in America through leading figures including Ben Harper, Mike Tyson and Lara Croft, says Ngahuia. "The fact that Harper and Tyson are African American makes their intentions, prompted by notions of an elegant warrior tradition, even more closely questioned by Mäori. To understand why other people claim a Mäori art form to assert themselves, sincere and respectful dialogue is essential. "It is wonderful to have an opportunity to enter an environment where such questions can be raised and answered, or at least speculated on by well informed observers from within that culture. "Toni Morrison and Gayatri Spivak have inspired me for decades and engaging with them on these issues, and considering with them the challenge too of being both creative and academic, will be a learning experience rarely equalled here at home." Ngahuia has been a Professor in the Mäori and Psychology Research
Unit in the Department of Psychology at the University of Waikato. She
has worked extensively as a researcher, and trainee practitioner in the
ta moko community. She recently became the Professor of Research and Development
at the School of Maori & Pacific Development. ENDS
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