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The Activities of the Canadian Delegation While in Taiwan
Representatives of
the Canadian DelegationˇG
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Mr.Elijah Harper-
Former Canadian Councilor
& Champion of the Rights of Indigenous Traders
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Ms.Anita H Olsen-Wife of Mr. Harpe
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Ms.Nathalie Coutou-Artist of Indigenous People
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Ms.Lea Nicholas-Mackenzie-
Staff member of International Affairs Representative of the First Nations
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Ms. Lana Mae Whiskeyjack-
Artist of Indigenous People and Educationalist
Preface
The Canadian aboriginal artisan delegates visited Taiwan from December 7 to December 10, 2005 for putting into effect the project of "The 2nd Stage of the Plan for Establishing Co-Marketing Channels for Canadian/Taiwanese Aboriginal Artworks and Merchandise". Owing to the benefit from contacts between Canadian and Taiwanese aboriginal artisans, Spring Pond Cultural Group sponsored a series of activities for the Canadian guests to visit Taiwanese artisans' studios in Nanjhuang Township of Miaoli, and Wutai Township and Shihzih Township of Pintung , in addition to arranging a press conference pertaining to the Canada-New Zealand-Taiwan Indigenous Film Festival. ˇ@
December 7, 2005
The cold,wet weather of winter in Taiwan did not bother our Canadian guests who are from a polar area; the traditional warm hospitality here brightened the gray skies when they arrived at CKS Airport.
After taking a short break, our guests rushed to the press conference held at the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines and pertaining to the trans-national film of "Canada-New Zealand-Taiwan Indigenous Film Festival." which was formulated by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, New Zealand Commerce & Industry Office and Chung Yuan Christian University. The mentioned film presented a documentary of lifestyles, histories, cultures and experiences of Canadian, New Zealand and Taiwanese indigenous peoples through the director's camera.
Mr. Walis Pelin, Minister of CIP said at the press conference that he hoped further comprehension and respect to the indigenous peoples would be stimulated by the activity of the above-mentioned. At the same time, he expected the native indigenous artisans could achieve an international view through creating more chances of learning from the friendly communications among Canadian and New Zealand indigenous artists for establishing mutual cooperation with one another.
Later on, all of the members of the Canadian delegation and the local representatives attended a meeting of "The Opinion Exchange of Canadian/Taiwanese Aboriginal Artisans" which was arranged by Mr. Chin-Fu Lin, Commissioner the of CIP. The participants of each side shared their experiences and views, and concluded with a mutual sense of practical performance.
      
December 8, 2005
"Shi Bi Dyeing and Weaving Workshop", located in Nanjhuang Township of Miaoli County, was the first stop of our visit activities. Madam Su-Li Lin had prepared fruits with tea and was waiting for us when we arrived at her studio. She showed us the entire process of dyeing with a detailed explanation for the production of her woven products from the pre-disposal of ramie fiber material, spinning, dyeing, yarn adjustment and knitting. Furthermore, we understood that the intricate wisdom of the Atayal ancestors emerged from the unique culture of weaving and knitting.
We started for "the National Taiwan Craft Research Institute" when we finished our lunch of the traditional Hakka meal. Our Canadian guests admired at first glance the National Taiwan Craft Research Institute for its imposing building and, they were especially attracted by the superbly displayed products indoors including bamboo and rattan craft, wooden ware, wooden carving, metal craft, stone carving, ceramics, glass ware, weaving, knitting, dyeing etc. and couldn't resist purchasing some articles as souvenirs of this trip.
Finally, our guests had the wonderful experiences of enjoying a hot-spring spa in the evening, following which a special mutton dinner provided an unforgettable ending to the busy day.
December 9, 2005
The visit to a leather engraving studio owned by Madam Chi-Shang Lee in Shihzih Township of Pingtung County was our first activity in the morning. All of our guests paid particular attention to their efforts of engraving on leather so that they could get the remarkable gifts made by themselves before we left for the next stop.
Afterwards, we took part in the ceremony of lighting-up for the first opening of Craft Street in Wutai by the invitation from Mr. Du, the Chief of Wutai Township. Mr. Du expressed that the stores of Craft Street would become new trade channels for the products of artisans in Wutai and the Craft Street might be a new ground target of Wutai Township. Our guests were very interested in the divination and blessing activities there and shared the blessing of the Lord by enjoying toasted "wa-cha-bi".
Our Canadian guests were invited to have a special dinner called "The Chief's Banquet "with the Head Chief of the Rukai Tribe, which was the most exciting event of the traditional Rukai Banquet that day. Pleasant dances and foods complemented with the greatest courtesy were followed by gifts of necklaces made of translucent glass.
      
      
December 10, 2005
We firstly visited a Rukai village that day. The scenes of weaving and knitting, preparation of tools, stone houses, a lane of rock plates, a blacksmith's shop and a store house in the small village showed us the unique culture of the Rukai Tribe and told us the story of daily Rukai life. Later on, in the Indigenous People Cultural Park we enjoyed the aboriginal dances from the 12 Taiwanese indigenous tribes and our Canadian guests cheerfully joined in with the dancers on the platform.
The batik studio owned by Mr. Zhi-Zheng Feng of the Paiwan Tribe was the last stop of our trip. Besides admiring for Mr. Feng's skills of batik and wooden sculpture, our guests were also interested in Mr. Feng's delicious coffee. The tile drawings in his studio were as stimulating as the drinks.
The Canadian representatives expressed that the most important and exciting aspects of the four-day trip were to cultivate the friendship from Taiwan and they were eager for the next meeting in Canada, 2006.
      
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