Biography
Roger Maaka, Ph.D., Ngati Kahungunu, Professor of Maori and Indigenous Studies and Dean-Director Maori at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Taradale, New Zealand. Former head of the Department of Native Studies at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada and Maori Studies at the University of Canterbury New Zealand. My research interests include urbanization and Indigenous peoples, post-treaty settlement development, the construction of contemporary indigenous identities, and indigeneity as a global social movement. My professional interests focus on Indigenous Peoples’ access to tertiary education and the growing of Indigenous Studies as recognized and respected field of academic study.

Statement
For any academic field to flourish a viable professional association is essential, over the years indigenous academics have formed sub-groups of other disciplinary associations to quite a remarkable level of success however a sustainable, academic association run by and solely focused on Indigenous intellectual pursuits has not eventuated until formation of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA). From the first meeting in Norman, Oklahoma NAISA with its balance of socialization as well as intellectual stimulation has allowed for us to be ourselves - as indigenous people - as well as pursuing our professional goals. During the open meetings at Norman and Athens there was considerable debate on the naming of the association, it was debate in my view that shed more heat than light and thankfully common sense prevailed and we arrived at an amicable agreement over the name for the association. However, the issue of what is, or what Indigenous Studies may become and the implications for existing Indian/Aboriginal/Maori studies programs is far from being resolved, as the debates at Norman and Athens illustrated the most common responses to this challenge are reactionary rather than reflective. Because of nature of its membership (Indigenous scholars) and aspirations (to promote native American and Indigenous Studies), I believe that NAISA is an ideal vehicle to lead and shape this discourse. It is for these reasons that I have put my name forward for the 2010 ballot for the office of NAISA President-Elect. Should I be elected I will continue to progress NAISA along the lines that the founding leaders have pioneered.