The Mauri Stone

The mauri stone was carved by Bernard Makoare and was formally blessed by the Taranaki elder, the late Te Ru Koriri Wharehoka. The mauri stone was created specifically for IILF, and is imbued with the mauri, or life principle, of the Forum. The mauri stone holds the essence of discussions, spiritually binding the attendees.

At the conclusion of each IILF, the mauri stone is presented to the hosting nation to hold in safekeeping.

Many subsequent forums saw contributions to the mauri stone. The contributions are as follows:

2001: Wooden Case, Sámi, Sweden

2003: Beaded Band, Blackfoot, New Mexico

2005: Deer Hide, Cree, Saskatchewan

2007: Purple Lining, Aboriginal People, Australia

2011: Possum Skin, Aboriginal People, Australia

2013: Eagle feather with 8 silver beads, Lummi, Washington

Vision of IILF

We, as unified Indigenous peoples who work with libraries and information, will ensure the appropriate care, development and management of the Indigenous knowledge of generations past, present and future. Created at the 1999 Forum in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Purpose of IILF

The International Indigenous Librarians’ Forum is held every two years for the purpose of providing a “focused exploration of the significant issues facing libraries and institutions that care for Indigenous and cultural information” (International Indigenous Librarians’ Forum Proceedings, Te Rōpū Whakahau, 2001). It allows a meeting place for Indigenous librarians and information management workers to discuss, debate and describe their experience of working within the industry and their visions, hopes and expectations for the future.