Was. Is. Always: South to North. On Route to an International Indigenous Design Charter will comprise a series of community led workshops in Greenland, Sweden and Denmark bringing together researchers, students, industry, and other organisations involved or interested in Indigenous design. The primary aim of the workshops is to progress discussion towards the realisation of an International Indigenous Design Charter, outlining the appropriate use of Indigenous knowledge in commercial communication design practice.

Having published the Australian Indigenous Design Charter: Communication Design (2016), Deakin University will work with local universities and stakeholders to facilitate discussion around establishing a broader international Indigenous design charter. The workshops will provide an opportunity for Indigenous participants of each participating nation to showcase their designs, learn and share knowledge of culture and design practice, and build long term academic, professional and social networks.

The Australian Indigenous Design Charter: Communication Design is supported by Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria (IADV) and the Design Institute of Australia (DIA). Was.Is. Always, South to North: On route to an International Indigenous Design Charter has been endorsed by ico-D, the International Council of Design.

"The Australian Indigenous Design Charter is not only about best practice in working with Indigenous images, as it also posits a framework to give Indigenous voice with political integrity. Image making in Indigenous culture is paramount to relaying our memories of the past into the present which has been practice throughout millennia. This performative action of ritual is the premise of our cultures and this Study Tour program continue this relational practice by enabling Indigenous Australians to lead in concert with Deakin University, protocols for the international design space" Brian Martin (Muruwari,Bundjalung , Kamilaroi) 2016.

Damien Miller (Gangulu) Australian Ambassador to Denmark, Norway and Iceland. — Damien Miller (Gangulu) Australian Ambassador to Denmark, Norway and Iceland.

The in-country workshops will be held in collaboration with local Sami and Greenlander hosts and contributors, and officially opened by Damien Miller, Australian Ambassador to Denmark, Norway and Iceland.

Workshops:

Workshop 1: Oslo

Wednesday 9th November

Time: 9.00 – 1.00

Venue: TBC

Workshop 2: Nuuk

Saturday 12th November

Time: 9.00 – 1.00

Venue: Ilismatusarfik, Auditorium

Workshop 3: Copenhagen

Tuesday 15th November

Time: 9.00 -1.00