DPP Holds Inauguration for Indigenous Organization; Lai Ching-te Encourages Serving Communities and Strengthening Roots

(CNA, Taipei, by Wen Kuei-hsiang, June 12) The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Department of Indigenous Affairs held a certification ceremony today for its first-term advisory committee members and the new chief convenors of the 2026 national indigenous liaison stations. DPP Chairman Lai Ching-te personally presented letters of appointment to 65 chief convenors and 10 advisory committee members. Lai stated that indigenous peoples are an important foundation of Taiwan's diverse culture and that he will continue to work with them to promote rights protection, cultural inheritance, and sustainable development.

In his speech, Lai said that politics is the most direct channel for serving the people and expressed his pleasure at seeing more and more indigenous friends participating in public affairs and speaking up for their tribes and people. He pointed out that the DPP and indigenous peoples share many common traits, both starting from the grassroots and striving in relatively resource-limited environments, demonstrating a spirit of resilience and pursuit of progress and development. Therefore, the DPP has always valued the rights of indigenous peoples and is willing to continue listening to their voices.

Lai stated that indigenous peoples are an important foundation of Taiwan's diverse culture, and successive DPP governments have continuously promoted policies for indigenous rights protection, cultural and linguistic revitalization, educational development, and social welfare. In the future, they will continue to work hand-in-hand with indigenous peoples to jointly build a more just, diverse, and prosperous Taiwanese society.

Kumu Hacyo, Director of the DPP's Department of Indigenous Affairs, said that the national indigenous liaison stations are the most important bridge between the party and the people, and she thanked the chief convenors for their long-term dedication to serving the people at the local level. She expressed hope that the newly established first-term advisory committee, through the participation of professionals from various fields, would help the department grasp local needs and serve as an important reference for future policy promotion.

During the ceremony, Wu Guan-xian, chief convenor of Guangfu Township in Hualien County, representing the Amis Mata'an tribe, presented a culturally significant "Amis lover's bag" to Lai Ching-te, thanking the President for his concern and assistance for local reconstruction and the needs of the people during the typhoon disaster in Guangfu Township.

The DPP stated that the blessing from the Mata'an tribe not only showcases the rich cultural heritage and beauty of traditional Amis craftsmanship but also symbolizes cultural inheritance, endless vitality, and the people's gratitude and expectations for the President, creating a warm atmosphere at the event.

The DPP indicated that in the future, it will continue to listen to the voices of the people and consolidate local strength through the national liaison station and advisory committee systems, jointly promoting the protection of indigenous rights, cultural inheritance, and sustainable development. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150612