Two I-Shou University Alumni Appointed as Kaohsiung City's Youngest Indigenous Committee Members: Kin Ho-ya and Chen Ta-hao Bridge Campus and Tribes to Preserve Culture

The Kaohsiung City Government has announced the list of Indigenous Affairs Committee members for 2026 (Minguo 115). Kin Ho-ya and Chen Ta-hao, alumni of the Indigenous Special Program at I-Shou University’s College of Communication and Design, have both been appointed as committee members, becoming the youngest in this term. Each has long been dedicated to promoting Indigenous music culture and traditional crafts, actively engaging in public affairs. They will now play a crucial role in bridging tribes, campuses, and younger generations, injecting new vitality into Kaohsiung’s Indigenous cultural landscape.

Kin Ho-ya Unites Youth Through Music; Chen Ta-hao Promotes Puyuma Craftsmanship

Chen Ta-hao was appointed as a committee member of the Kaohsiung City Indigenous Affairs Committee, with Mayor Chen Chi-mai personally presenting the appointment letter. (Photo: I-Shou University)

Kin Ho-ya (tribal name Lɨlɨvɨ Kabora), of Rukai, Paiwan, and Bunun descent, has long been active in the performing arts and cultural sectors of southern Taiwan, serving as a singer, host, and cultural worker. She recalls that her active participation in campus clubs and international cultural exchanges during her time at I-Shou University sparked her journey into public service.

Prior to her appointment, Kin Ho-ya served as president of the 'TAKAO Urban Indigenous Youth Association' and general secretary of the 'Kaohsiung Indigenous Social Care Association,' consistently focusing on cultural identity issues among urban Indigenous youth. She expressed her hope to help more young people rediscover their ethnic heritage through music, dance, and cultural events. She also plans to collaborate with I-Shou University’s Indigenous Student Resource Center to cultivate public service talent and promote cultural workshops on campus, enabling students to deepen their cultural identity while pursuing professional studies.

The other newly appointed committee member, Chen Ta-hao (tribal name Langkuy Pakaruku), is a representative of the Puyuma youth from Zhiben Tribe in Taitung. Although raised in Kaohsiung from childhood, he began learning Puyuma cross-stitch embroidery in middle school under his grandmother’s influence. He has since combined traditional culture with design expertise to develop innovative cultural applications.

Chen Ta-hao served as artistic director for a student group for five consecutive years and currently serves as president of the Kaohsiung Puyuma Association. He has received numerous accolades, including first prize in the Ministry of Education’s U-start Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition and recognition as one of Taiwan’s Top 100 Most Influential Brands. He stated that he will actively promote exchanges between urban communities and tribal areas, advance cooperation between the Puyuma National Assembly and local organizations, and encourage youth to learn their mother tongue and inherit traditional crafts. He also plans to collaborate with I-Shou University’s Indigenous Resource Center to provide volunteer and hands-on opportunities for students, cultivating more Indigenous youth committed to public service.

I-Shou University stated that the appointment of these two alumni reflects the university’s long-standing commitment to Indigenous education and highlights the importance of youth engagement in public affairs and cultural preservation. The university will continue to support collaborative initiatives between the Indigenous Student Resource Center and alumni to promote youth civic participation and cultural exchange between campuses and tribes, nurturing Indigenous talent equipped with both digital skills and cultural literacy.

According to I-Shou University, Kin Ho-ya and Chen Ta-hao will leverage the power of music, craftsmanship, and cultural innovation to connect campuses, communities, and tribes, ensuring that Indigenous culture continues to take root in urban settings. They will also infuse Kaohsiung’s Indigenous policies with fresh youth perspectives and innovative energy.