Our
participation in the 2019 Tribal Canoe Journeys in Washington State USA
was focused on building on top of the results achieved in our exchanges
from the previous two years, hoping to take the inter-tribal
relationships to the next level, and to ensure sustainable exchanges and
activities for the future.
Johan (far left) with Hanford (center) and the Hawaiian delegation.
Before
this Summer, we brought a delegation from the Tao Tribe of Orchid
Island to develop a relationship with the Nisqually Tribe near Olympia,
Washington. Our delegation was the guests of our gracious host, Hanford
McCloud, tribal council member and Canoe family captain. This year,
Hanford McCloud invited an indigenous delegation from Hawaii, and we had
the privilege of experiencing the journey with them.
This
year, we had more quality time with Hanford. During an interview, he
shared why he chose to reach out to tribes from around the world to join
his Canoe Family. He also shared his desire to bring a delegation of
Nisqually in 2020. We are organizing this trip to introduce them to
indigenous tribes of Taiwan and to join the Tao Tribe for a reciprocal
cultural exchange.
Directors Chad Yen, Gary Smoke and Kate joined us at Final Protocol in Lummi.
In
discussing expanding the relationship with the Tao Tribe, Hanford
discussed MOU's, fundraising, and suggested a shift in approach, to
simplify future cooperation. By focusing on indigenous youth exchange,
and working through youth-oriented non-profit programs, support would be
easier to achieve. With the future exchanges fostering the
relationships between the indigenous youth of Taiwan and the USA, we
would be expanding their horizons as global citizens and planting the
seeds for future leadership.
Nisqually Youth participate in Final Protocol in Lummi.
During our 2019 journey, we also met with
leaders from the Native American leaders in Puyallup, Muckleshoot,
Squaxin, Lummi in Washington State. We also met leaders from a few
tribes in Oregon, California and Canada. Our discussions about possible
Sister Village relationship with tribes in Taiwan were met with
positive interest. Some of the leaders also discussed interest in
economic cooperation to bring sustainable industries and job for their
communities.
A Hawaiian delegation performs at Final Protocol in Lummi.
Throughout
the 2019 Tribal Canoe Journeys, our youth representative from Taiwan,
Johan Coolidge of the Atayal Tribe, paddled with the Nisqually Canoe
Family, and made friends with Native American and Hawaiian youth. His
experiences were documented through video and photos to compile a
library of content for an upcoming documentary film about the importance
of the Tribal Canoe Journeys for indigenous youth, especially in
relations to international culture exchange. We had good interviews
during our trip and gathered a significant amount of content.
Meeting a canoe family from the Bay area of California in Lummi.
All
of our work this year sets the table for a very productive Tribal
Journeys 2020, which will have the Final Protocol in Nanaimo, Victoria
Island, BC Canada.
Final Protocol in Lummi lasted 5 days and went 24/7 to showcase the culture of every participating tribe.
Our
results couldn't have been achieved without the support of our donors
and volunteers. Please support the magical results that can be achieved
when we build bridges between indigenous peoples. To see more photos and
results, visit our Tribal Journeys web page at:
https://www.indigenousbridges.org/tribaljourneys.php
More supporters and team members joined us in Lummi on July 27, 2019.
We had the pleasure of introducing the Taloma Youth Group with the Yakan Tribe on Palawan The Year of 2023 was one of our busiest ever, with multiple exchange activities, as well as expanded development of relationships for the Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP). We also made key strategic decisions for the development of the IBYAP program, including the opening of our Hawai'i office in Maui and adding our Regional Director of Hawai'i, Leiven Hwang. Having three pillars for the program (Washington State/Hawai'i/Taiwan) creates a framework for exchange and cooperation between Austronesian communities, and likewise, we have the ability to introduce the beautiful cultures and timeless wisdom of the Austronesian peoples to American people. This year, we dove into various activities and upgraded our program as well. We made substantial progress with the four pillars of our organization: Recruiting, Program Development, Partnerships and Fundraising . I. STAFF...
By Mackenzie Miller A twenty-minute car ride north from the city of Taitung, Taiwan, is the Indigenous village of Taoyuan, often referred to in the Bunun language by Indigenous residents as Pasikau. Pass under the village gate and a newly opened 7-Eleven, the Pasikau Presbyterian Church, a sprinkling of breakfast joints, and the occasional dog and neighbor precede the route to Niwa Maibut’s childhood home, situated on the corner of the Pasikau village now home to nearly 1,300 residents. Niwa Maibut drives car from Taitung to Pasikau village Maibut, having returned to Taitung to live permanently five years ago, is now conveniently able to reconnect with a physical place she ventured off from at a young age while also maintaining her relationship with a culture and people she never left behind. Today, on March 18, Maibut gathers her bags from the car upon arriving home in Pasikau and heads inside after a vocal greeting to assist her mother in dressing for today’s Bunun Ear Shooting Festi...
Gerald Arcilla Santos, Regional Director for the ATAYAL Organization in the California Bay Area, organized an exhibit of the "Distant Journeys Of Cultural Exchange" at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center . The monthlong event at the OACC began on November 4, 2022. The traveling exhibit is curated by ATAYAL Regional Director Anthonie Tumpag, and it has been on display several times in the Chicago area. Regional Director Gerald Arcilla Santos The exhibit includes photos of the participation of the Taiwanese Indigenous delegation during the 2019 Tribal Canoe Journeys. It also includes Indigenous Taiwanese artifacts personally collected by Anthonie Tumpag. OACC has invited Tony Coolidge and Gerald Arcilla Santos to take part in a closing ceremony live-streamed on Instagram on Saturday, December 17th, where they will share views of the exhibit, describe the background and the organization. The Oakland Asian Cultural Center builds vibrant communities through Asian and Pacific Islande...
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