Taiwan’s Indigenous Youths attends 2015 National UNITY Conference, USA
As part of ACF effort to widen the horizons of indigenous youths of Taiwan globally, in collaboration with Vox Nativa Association, five indigenous youths – coincidently from the Bunun Tribe, were sponsored to attend the 2015 National United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) Conference in Washington DC, USA. The 39th annual conference, held 10-15 July 2015, aimed to bring together indigenous youth leaders worldwide to learn and inspire, to participate in cultural exchange, workshops, activities, and more. To further horizons and exposure to the American culture, the Bunun youths extended their travel to San Francisco, residing in homestays, experiencing culture, and more.
From as early as February 2015, Vox Nativa Association, a non-profit organization that aims to preserve and promote indigenous culture, pride, and identity through the Vox Nativa Children’s Choir, and ACF together interviewed and selected five indigenous youths – four in high school, one in university to attend the 2015 National UNITY Conference. To better prepare the youths for the conference and their first overseas travel, lessons were organized to help gain deeper understanding of their ethnicity, to improve on stage presence/performance, to learn travel etiquettes, and more. On the third day of the conference, the Bunun youths shared their culture to fellow attendees, and performed a beautiful song from their tribe, with its translated name, "Mother's Eyes". Their performance wowed the audience, and received high praises.
In conjunction with the UNITY conference, the White House hosted its first-ever Tribal Youth Gathering; for the first time, representatives of indigenous tribes were youths. The summit brought together over 875 youths to speak to the first lady, Michelle Obama, Cabinet officials, the White House Council on Native American affairs, touching on issues of education, health, justice, economic opportunity, climate change, cultural protection and language revitalization. Similar issues and stories of forestalled opportunities, drinking and suicide are shared between the Native Americans and the Taiwanese indigenous. ACF hopes that through its initiatives, the walls that stand in the way of tribal youths reaching potentials will dissolve, and can one day cultivate positive sustainable growth in their villages.
Student Feedback
I learned that we can create our own futures if we looked for the right opportunities; whether to learn from our own mistakes, or not be afraid to take on new challenges. I have learned the value of giving back, helping others, undertaking each endeavor to the best of my abilities, and doing everything with faith. – Ya-Ting Chang
I learned that we can create our own futures if we looked for the right opportunities; whether to learn from our own mistakes, or not be afraid to take on new challenges. I have learned the value of giving back, helping others, undertaking each endeavor to the best of my abilities, and doing everything with faith. – Ya-Ting Chang
About UNITY
UNITY is a national organization that promotes personal development, citizenship, and leadership among American Indian and Alaska Native youth between the ages of 14 to 24. With one of the largest and oldest American Indian youth leadership networks in North America, UNITY has 155 affiliated youth councils in 35 states. Youth councils are sponsored by tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges and other community organizations.
Reference: www.unityinc.org
UNITY is a national organization that promotes personal development, citizenship, and leadership among American Indian and Alaska Native youth between the ages of 14 to 24. With one of the largest and oldest American Indian youth leadership networks in North America, UNITY has 155 affiliated youth councils in 35 states. Youth councils are sponsored by tribes, Alaska Native villages, high schools, colleges and other community organizations.
Reference: www.unityinc.org
