The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, the Council of Indigenous Peoples of the Republic of China, and the University of Kentucky jointly organized a seminar entitled “Enhancing Indigenous Self-Determination from the Perspective of Indigenous Youth” on April 24th, in coordination with the theme of the 23rd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII 23). The event invited representatives of indigenous youth from Taiwan and the United States to share their insights on advancing indigenous rights.
Approximately 60 participants, including officials from various UN missions, delegates attending the UNPFII in New York, and representatives from civil society organizations, were in attendance. The seminar was opened by the Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Li Guangzhang, and a prerecorded address by the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Chung Hsing-hua. Researcher Edward Lo from the University of Kentucky and Emerald Skye Byrd, Director of the American Indian Business Development National Center, co-hosted the event. The seminar featured a presentation by Eleng Kazangiljan, a Paiwan youth, and discussions with Venus Evans from the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission, environmental activist and poet Anagali Shace Duncan of the Cherokee Nation, and Cherokee student leader Shelbie Larmour.
During his address, Li Guangzhang emphasized that indigenous peoples have often been subject to land dispossession and a lack of participation in decision-making processes in the establishment of modern nation-states. Despite legislative efforts such as the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law in Taiwan since the democratization process, which aims to enhance indigenous autonomy, land rights, language preservation, and cultural protections, disparities still persist today in indicators such as health, education, economic well-being, and political engagement between indigenous and non-indigenous populations. In 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen issued a formal apology on behalf of the government to indigenous peoples, and ongoing policies are being implemented to safeguard indigenous languages, traditional cultures, and self-determination rights.
In his prerecorded address, Deputy Chairman Chung Hsing-hua of the Council of Indigenous Peoples reiterated the organization’s longstanding commitment to assisting Taiwanese indigenous youth in connecting with the global community. Through international exchanges facilitated by the UNPFII, valuable knowledge and experiences that contribute to the development of indigenous policies in Taiwan have been gleaned. The passage of the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law in Taiwan in 2005 was inspired by international practices, exemplifying the domestic legal incorporation of the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.