Annual Report 2022

 

The Year of 2022 started off with the end of the Zero-COVID Policy in Taiwan, thanks to the Omicron wave overcoming its borders. The first half of the year saw changes in policy as COVID was no longer seen as a serious threat to public health. Public health policies became less restrictive and, as a result, our organization's activities gained momentum. The next year promises to see a resumption of normal cultural exchange activities, thanks to the opening of borders and the reduction in restrictions.

Last year, our organization used the down time to be productive, strengthening the foundation for a sustainable future. This year, we made substantial progress with the four pillars of our organization: Recruiting, Program Development, Partnerships and Fundraising.

I. RECRUITING

In 2021, we added an important member to our Board and Staff.

Wennifer Lin Haver – Secretary and Program Director

Wennifer Lin Haver, PhD is a founder of a non-profit organization who earned her Masters and PhD from UCLA. She brings a passion for Indigenous traditions and cultures to the organization and she, herself, is of Atayal tribal lineage. We are fortunate to have someone in a leadership position who is committed to creating a legacy with the ATAYAL Organization.

We also recognized the contributions of two of our new Staff members. They include:

Furkan Ergül – Communications Coordinator

Mackenzie Miller – Communications Coordinator

Our team is growing, and we need more talented, committed people to develop, execute and nurture the programs for future generations of indigenous youth. Check out our Organizational Chart to see what staff positions are filled and which are open. There are also volunteer positions open for our Programs.

If you are interested in volunteering, visit our Volunteer Page on our web site.

Click here to read the Roles and Responsibilities of our Staff, International Advisory Board Members, and Board Members.

II. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

1) Vision and Purpose

We have clarified our 2023 Vision Statement, putting into focus the steps and results our organization would like to achieve in the next 10 years. Our flagship program, the Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP), is taking shape as a program that will plant the seeds for sustainable community development that will blossom in the future. In 2023, it will be a priority to develop a program for the youth ambassadors that will provide meaningful, measurable results that will be achieved when carrying out the exchanges.

2) Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassadors Program (IBYAP)

The Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassadors Program (IBYAP) brings together future indigenous leaders, to share their indigenous cultures with pride, form bonds with representatives of other tribes, and learn to cooperate to create solutions for shared problems faced by Indigenous communities. This program nurtures international leadership qualities and grooms the young ambassadors to be future problem-solvers and community leaders.

The Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassadors Program (IBYAP) co-hosted with Edu-Odyssey an online exchange program between students from Taiwan and from Texas State University in the USA. It was a great learning experience for both sides. The Americans and Taiwanese students learned about Indigenous culture from live interactions instead of from textbooks. With borders re-opening for travel, we are looking forward to connecting students with live exchange programs, such as the Tribal Canoe Journeys.

3) Indigenous Taiwanese Cultural Exhibits in the USA

Our Regional Director in the Bay Area of California, Gerald Arcilla Santos, organized a successful gallery exhibit at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center on behalf of the ATAYAL Organization. The Distant Journeys of Cultural Exchange Exhibit is a traveling exhibit curated by ATAYAL's Regional Director Anthonie Tumpag in Illinois.

4) Media Delegation Introduction to Indigenous Culture

Our organization cooperated with Sinopsis and the Bakala Foundation in the Czech Republic to organize a live, interactive experience of the traditional and modern Atayal culture for a delegation of journalists from the European Union, in order to gain a more well-rounded understanding of Taiwan's Indigenous identity and gain perspective on the issues that matter to them. The exploration was eye-opening and enjoyable to the visitors, and provided ATAYAL volunteers yet another great opportunity to expand their horizons.

III. PARTNERSHIPS

In 2022, with the Tribal Canoe Journeys still on hold, the ATAYAL Organization partnered with Edu-Odyssey to host a bilingual 3-day online cultural exchange program with high school and university students. Students throughout Taiwan interacted with students from Texas State University. Also, Syaman Lamuran gave a presentation about the Tao People of Orchid Island near Taiwan. We expect more cooperation with this organization in the future.

IV. FUNDRAISING

In 2022, we had limited fundraising results, as we had little fundraising activity. According to our 2022 Financial Report, we did raise USD $3, 503.91 from eight (8) donations.

Our main fundraising campaign launches in February of 2023 and raises scholarship money and funding for our Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP).

V. ANNUAL MEETING

On November 12, 2022, we held our Annual General Meeting in the English Library in Taipei, our informal headquarters in Taiwan. We welcomed new members and partners for our international culture exchange work, shared our 2022 Results and our 10-Year Vision Statement.