An Unsettled History is an exhibition which brings together contemporary art works and objects from Russell Museum's collection.  Local artists were asked to produce works which comment on treaty claim issues and when juxtaposed with relevant historical objects from Russell Museum's collection, a space is created in which to consider long standing iss

An Unsettled History is an exhibition which brings together contemporary art works and objects from Russell Museum's collection.  Local artists were asked to produce works which comment on treaty claim issues and when juxtaposed with relevant historical objects from Russell Museum's collection, a space is created in which to consider long standing issues that constitute Nga Puhi treaty claims. 

With Te Paparaki o te Raki (The Northland Inquiry) starting 10 May 2010 at Te Tii Marae, Waitangi, Northland Maori are readying themselves and their claims to be heard.  An Unsettled History acknowledges that Northland Maori's claims have never been settled since Te Tiriti o Waitangi was signed in 1840. 

The cultural survival of Maori as individuals and groups is tied to their continuing ability to connect themselves to their ancestors and their lands. [1] 
 
He Whakaputanga o te Rangatira o Nu Tireni (A Declaration of Independence, 28 October 1835), declared New Zealand an Independent Nation.  Although He Whakaputanga was signed five years before Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi, 6 February 1840), Te Tiriti is seen as New Zealand’s ‘founding’ document.  But it is a document with flaws. 

An Unsettled History[2] is a juncture in which contemporary artworks are juxtaposed with objects from Russell Museum’s collection to stimulate dialogue about issues soon to be presented at the judicial inquiry, Te Paparahi o te Raki (The Northland Inquiry, 10 May 2010).  Adjudicated by the Waitangi Tribunal, Te Paparahi o te Raki will investigate how the failure of consecutive New Zealand governments to honour these two historic documents has impacted Maori sovereignty and control of resources, partnership in political decision making and the sustaining of Maori culture. 

Russell Museum / Te Whare Taonga o Kororareka / 2 York Street Russell 0202

Showing daily: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm from 10 April 2010 - Friday 9 July 2010

[1] Johnson, J. (2003).  Biculturalism, Resource Management and Indigenous Self Determination.

[2] The title for this exhibition is taken from the book An Unsettled History: Treaty Claims in New Zealand Today (1999) by Alan Ward.  Professor Alan Ward has been called as a Crown Witness for Te Paparahi o te Raki.