INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S ART DESIGNS

Day 1 - Wednesday, April 21, 1999

Morning working group: Indigenous Knowledge

Objectives: to define the source of rights with regard to designs; to better understand the process of art creation; and to raise awareness of the value of designs and how they represent heritage and knowledge.
1- creation is partly a collective process
2- creation has economic and cultural value

QUESTIONS:

1. What is the cultural origin of designs? Where do they come from? Can anyone present an oral history on the origin of designs?
2. How are designs developed, created and passed down to other generations?
3. How and when are indigenous designs transformed into marketable goods? How do you see the transformation? At one time, designs were created for one people's purposes (decorative or sacred). Are all designs marketed now?

Afternoon working group: Globalization

Objective: to better understand what globalization signifies for indigenous women and for their designs.
1- the global market changes the conditions of commercialization for women’s products
2- the global market impacts upon the living conditions of indigenous communities

QUESTIONS:

1. How would you define globalization from what you have heard? The participants should define this within the context of their own experiences and with their own words.
2. How does globalization affect the lives of ndigenous peoples and, more specifically, indigenous women?
3. Who is promoting the agenda of globalization? Who are the players?
4. What mechanisms do those affected by globalization have to defend their interests?