After a 15-year hiatus, Taiwan hosted the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network (WIBN) Conference again, welcoming delegations from New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Norway, and more. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) spoke at the welcome dinner this Thursday, welcoming the international delegates to share their experiences in preserving and promoting Indigenous languages and cultures, while praising the contributions of Taiwan’s Indigenous people.

Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) Chairperson Ljaucu Zingrur expressed satisfaction that Taiwan has consistently participated in the alliance and continues to promote the inheritance and protection of Indigenous languages since last hosting the WIBN Conference 15 years ago. He remarked, “We have always believed that telling our stories in our native languages is the most authentic. Here, we hope to connect Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples with those around the world, especially because many of us speak nearly the same language, so we have many connections.”

The Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation added that this conference will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Taiwan Indigenous Television (TITV) and feature a language forum. Through multiple dialogues and exchanges, they say they hope the event will rethink the role of media in the future of communities, particularly exploring digital media and emerging technologies that can inject new vitality into language and culture.

Tristan Hilderbrand for Rti News