Indigenous Philosophy and Intergenerational Justice

Krushil Watene

This lecture details several insights for the pursuit and realisation of intergenerational justice that Indigenous philosophies contain. Following an explanation of some key Māori concepts in particular, I outline an intergenerational orientation that situates these concepts in ways that chart pathways through complex intergenerational challenges. In this manner, the lecture describes how Indigenous philosophies: enhance relationships through regenerative practices, invest in relational repair, and enable the ongoing transformation of concepts and ideas toward new imaginaries. The lecture ends by articulating several practical implications and noting some of the ways that policies and processes can be such that they function to realise intergenerational justice and ground an enduring sense of responsibility to its pursuit and realisation.

The Alan Saunders Lecture is co-hosted with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).