Taipei – July 7, 2022. Members of Taiwan’s Indigenous People’s Commission met with Canadian government officials last Tuesday and discussed the indigenous peoples of the two countries. The Commission for Indigenous Peoples gave this information in a press conference today.

On 1 July a delegation of 24 members of the Indigenous People’s Commission arrived in Canada. The delegation informed itself about local problems in Canada and political measures in relation to indigenous peoples.

Also participating in Tuesday’s meeting was Paul Pelletier, the chairman of the Canadian Department of Heritage. Pelletier reports on Canada’s efforts to revive indigenous languages, including passing a 2019 law on the protection and development of these languages.

Isyang Parod (夷將), president of the Indigenous People’s Commission, noted that there are many similarities between Taiwan’s and Canada’s policies on indigenous languages. Parod said the support of Taiwan’s indigenous people had a profound effect on its Canadian counterparts. These included helping civil servants speak indigenous languages, training language teachers, and setting up media and research centres.

Taiwan and Canada agreed to continue their regular dialogue on policies towards indigenous peoples. The delegation will return to Taiwan on 10 July.