aes24 International Evaluation Conference

Authors: Skye Trudgett (Kowa ),Haley Ferguson (Kowa, AU),Tara Beattie (Kowa, AU),Levi McKenzie-Kirkbright (Kowa, AU),Jess Dart (Clear Horizon, AU)

In the pursuit of understanding and honouring the depth of First Nations wisdom, this hands-on session at the AES conference introduces the Ancestral Knowledge Tapestry —a living guide for developing a repository of ancestral knowledge, practices, and philosophies. Participants will actively engage in co-creating a 'Wisdom Base,' a collective endeavour to encapsulate the richness of old and new First Nations knowledges and their application to contemporary evaluative practices.

Through interactive exercises, collaborative dialogue, and reflective practices, attendees will delve into the components of the Ancestral Knowledge Tapestry, exploring the symbiosis between deep knowing, artefacts, deep listening and truth-telling. The session aims to empower participants, particularly those from First Nations communities, to identify, document, and share their unique wisdom in ways that foster self-determination and cultural continuity.
Attendees will emerge from this workshop not only with a deeper appreciation for the intrinsic value of First Nations knowledge systems but also with practical insights into how to cultivate a Wisdom Base that not only preserves but actively revitalises First Nations wisdom for future generations.