The economic situation of Taiwan's various ethnic groups has continued to flourish in recent years following Taiwan's joining of the World Trade Organization and incessant changes occurring in international trade and commerce.

As a means of showcasing Taiwan's rich and varied cultural heritage, The Council of Indigenous Peoples of Taiwan has invited a series of seasoned experts to select twenty-two outstanding artists and artisans and offer them the chance to display their masterpieces on this newly-developed global stage. Our mission in publishing this collection of the resulting award-winning selections is to foster an international awareness of – and deep appreciation for - Taiwan's aboriginal handcrafts industry.

In addition to publishing works that demonstrate the tremendous skill and boundless creativity of Taiwan's aboriginal artisans, we are also striving to meet the technological challenges of the new Millennium via the foundation of an “Aboriginal Product E-Commerce” platform that offers Taiwanese aboriginal artists the opportunity to connect with the “Global Village” through the Internet. Moreover these artists and artisans will serve as cultural ambassadors on visits to Canada and other countries to share their ideas, concepts and experience with aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples the world over. We also hope that these exchanges will encourage our aboriginal artists and artisans to create a diverse range of products that demonstrate their ability to merge their cultural past with the realities of the present technological age.

The ultimate goal of these efforts is to serve as a catalyst that stimulate the future growth of the Taiwanese aboriginal handicrafts industry and as vehicles by which Taiwanese aboriginal artists and artisans can make a permanent - and everlasting - impression on the global marketplace. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, these ‘virtual' and ‘real-time' publications and exchanges also demonstrate our desire to not only promote Taiwan, herself, but to also protect and preserve the very aboriginal cultural roots that have lent her her unique spirit and charm.

In is our sincere hope that this work affords readers the chance to view the boundless creativity and forward-looking spirit of Taiwan's aboriginal peoples through their own eyes.

Walis Pelin
Minister ,Council of Indigenous People
Executive Yuan