Page 265 - 原住民族文獻第11輯

時事快遞

to the young trainees, he emphasized the importance of audiovisual expression for storytelling,
establishing cultural visibility, and raising global awareness of respective ethnic cultures.
The Austronesian Forum’s Cultural Night was the highlight of this training camp, where each
delegate proudly displayed their cultural heritage through their national attires, dances, and songs.

The rich ethnic pride of Taiwan’s Amis, Rukai, Pinuyumayan, Paiwan, Atayal, Tsou, Bunun, and the
Kanakanavu groups were showcased through polyphonic songs and tribal dances. The Teube dance
from the Solomon Islands, which signifies togetherness by praising the earth and calling the birds
to dance together, the lively performance of Fatele of the Tuvaluans matched with head garlands,

armbands, and colorful traditional skirts, and the Philippines’ Cariñosa (meaning “romantic” or
“affectionate”), which depicts the courtship movements between a man and a woman during the
Spanish colonial era, were spectacular additions to the musical diversity of the performances. The
audience was also hyped by the vigorous movements from the Haka Ka Mate Ka Mate war chant
lyrics, a Māori war chant performed by Temuera Hall of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the lively “roro”

chant entitled Ñijirto Ñijirto, a traditional Marshallese navigation chant by Belottie Maun.
The training was a testament to the rich cultural heritage the Austronesian family possesses
but is also a reminder of the depth and breadth of the societal issues being experienced by the
indigenous communities. For years, there has been a constant battle in securing indigenous

people’s fundamental rights and access to primary health care services, ensuring their inclusion in
the sustainable development goals, and providing equitable opportunities to everyone for a safer,
healthier, and more inclusive environment. The training may have concluded, but the preparations
for a continued and holistic approach to growth are only getting started. Undoubtedly, trainings
like this are gateways to revisiting historical accounts, nurturing inter-community dialogues,
and strengthening relationships by sharing stories through the lens of individuals’ personal

experiences. However, as trainees, the responsibility of challenging the rhetoric and non-inclusive
ideologies is also at hand. Ensuring that the council governing indigenous affairs mainly comprises
members of the indigenous communities, implementing autonomy on tribe-centered practices,
and issuing tribe-ratified procedures are equally vital. These means will include indigenous voices

and knowledge for more effective and engaging development strategies. Above all, the mission is
not simply the triumph over the physical protection of the land but the revitalization of the living
culture and indigenous traditions for future generations.

(265) 2022 Austronesian Forum: Empowering the Next-Generation Indigenous Youth Leaders for a Sustainable Tomorrow 81