Taiwanese and Canadian officials met on Tuesday to discuss Indigenous issues in both countries. This meeting focused on Indigenous language revitalization and development efforts. That’s according to a press release published on Thursday.
Last Thursday Taiwan Indigenous Council sent officials to Canada to study Indigenous issues and policies in the country. The 24 member delegation will visit Canada from July 1 to 10, and includes council head Icyang Parod and other officials.
Tuesday’s meeting included Canadian Indigenous policy official Paul Pelletier and Taiwan’s representative in Canada Winston Chen. Pelletier shared Canada’s experience with Indigenous language revitalization efforts, including passing a 2019 law to preserve and develop these languages.
Council head Icyang Parod says there are many similarities between Taiwan and Canada’s experience with Indigenous language policy. He says Taiwan’s experiences left a deep impression on his Canadian counterparts. Those include encouraging officials to speak Indigenous languages, cultivating language teachers, and establishing media and research centers.
Indigenous officials in both countries have agreed to continue a regular dialogue. This comes as both countries have been working together increasingly on Indigenous issues. In March Taiwan announced its participation in a new free trade agreement between Indigenous peoples in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
