A workshop titled “The Prosperity of Indigenous Peoples across the Indo-Pacific” under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework was staged April 8 in Ottawa, Canada, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jointly organized by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada and the University of Ottawa Centre for International Policy Studies, the event brought together over 140 academics, officials, Indigenous peoples’ representatives and media. Discussion topics spanned economic empowerment, education, language revitalization and Indigenous-museum collaboration.
TECO in Canada Representative Harry Ho-jen Tseng delivered opening remarks along with Japan Ambassador in Canada Kanji Yamanouchi; Australian High Commissioner Kate Logan and New Zealand High Commissioner Cecile Hillyer, the MOFA said, adding that a representative of the Global Affairs Canada gave the closing address.
According to Tseng, the event aligned with the Indo-Pacific Strategy released by the Canadian government in November 2022, and it helped strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation on Indigenous affairs between Taiwan and Canada. The workshop further offered an exchange opportunity for Indigenous representatives from Asia-Pacific countries and those from Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis tribes, he said, expressing anticipation that the international community will work with Indigenous groups to realize goals of inclusive growth and development.
The event’s lecturers and panelists included think tank academics, policymakers, Indigenous leaders, and museum curators from Taiwan, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S., the MOFA said. It added that those from Taiwan who delivered speeches were Futuru Tsai, director of the National Museum of Prehistory; Ciwas Pawan, assistant researcher for National Academy for Educational Research; and Ko Jhe-yu, business representative for the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement Partnership in Taiwan.
Hand-made artifacts and cultural publications made by Taiwan’s Truku tribe were also on display at the event, according to the MOFA. (YCH-E)