Language, Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Landscapes of the Ainu:
Perspectives from Nibutani, Hokkaido

Register here: https://ieas.berkeley.edu/language-indigenous-knowledge-and-cultural-landscapes-ainu#openberkeley-collapsible-container-0-target

Part 1 | Indigenous Rights and the Importance of Ainu Language Education
Lecture: Center for Japanese Studies | March 4 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Online - Zoom Webinar

Speaker: Shiro Kayano, Director, Kayano Shigeru Nibutani Ainu Museum

Panelist/Discussant: Chie Sakakibara, Native American and Indigenous Studies Program, Syracuse University

Sponsors: Center for Japanese Studies (CJS), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, San Francisco, Archaeological Research Facility, Native American Student Development, Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, Department of Anthropology, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature

The Center for Japanese Studies of the University of California, Berkeley, and the JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) San Francisco Office are pleased to present a three-day online lecture series by speakers from Nibutani, Biratori Town, Hokkaido. Recent discussions of indigenous rights highlight the critical roles that indigenous cultural landscapes, traditional knowledge and indigenous languages play in restoring the identity of indigenous peoples and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. Three distinguished speakers from Nibutani present lectures on their ongoing efforts and future perspectives to revitalize the Ainu culture, language and cultural landscapes. Each presentation is followed by comments from a scholar working on aspects of Ainu and/or indigenous cultures and languages.

Part 1: Indigenous Rights and the Importance of Ainu Language Education
Speaker: Shiro Kayano (Director, Kayano Shigeru Nibutani Ainu Museum)
Discussant: Chie Sakakibara (Native American and Indigenous Studies Program, Syracuse University)
Language: Japanese with English interpretation (interpreter: Beth Cary)

Registration Required
Register Online https://berkeley.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AbW4YlyFSrOnCSh7hPYsjw

SPEAKER PROFILE
Shiro KAYANO, born in Nibutani, Biratori Town, Hokkaido, is Director of the Kayano Shigeru Nibutani Ainu Museum. He is also Executive Director of the Nibutani Ainu Language Class, member of the Biratori Town Council, President of the Ainu Language Pen Club, and councilor of the Foundation for Ainu Culture. As an Ainu elder who has deep knowledge of Ainu culture and language, he has actively spoken up about Indigenous rights of the Ainu, including the right to receive Ainu language education.
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Part 2: Current Status of Ainu Language Education
Kenji Sekine (Director, Ainu Culture Learning Section, Board of Education of Biratori Town)
Date: March 7, 4-5:30PM PST (March 8, 9-10:30AM in Japan)
https://events.berkeley.edu/index.php/calendar/sn/ieas.html?event_ID=144968&date=2022-03-07&filter=Secondary%20Event%20Type&filtersel=830 <https://events.berkeley.edu/index.php/calendar/sn/ieas.html?event_ID=144968&date=2022-03-07&filter=Secondary%20Event%20Type&filtersel=830>

Part 3: The Ainu and the Problems of Dam Construction
Koichi Kaizawa (President, Biratori Ainu Culture Preservation Society)
Date: March 8, 4-5:30PM PST (March 9, 9-10:30AM in Japan)
https://events.berkeley.edu/index.php/calendar/sn/ieas.html?event_ID=144971&date=2022-03-08&filter=Secondary%20Event%20Type&filtersel=830 <https://events.berkeley.edu/index.php/calendar/sn/ieas.html?event_ID=144971&date=2022-03-08&filter=Secondary%20Event%20Type&filtersel=830>

Event Contact: cjs@berkeley.edu, 510-642-3415

Access Coordinator: Kumi Sawada Hadler, kumi.hadler@berkeley.edu, 510-642-3156