Transform lives and regenerate communities. Support our Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program.
Follow the Tao Tatala's journey across the USA. Our Journey V/Tatala Travels.
Founded in 2001, the ATAYAL Organization is one of the oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to Indigenous culture exchanges and preservation. To meet the evolving needs of Indigenous communities and the world, our youth development activities are also preparing young leaders to be problems-solvers for issues related to climate change and the erosion of cultural identity. To meet these needs, the ATAYAL Organization is proud to offer its Indigenous Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP).
PLEASE CLICK TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH AMBASSADORS PARTICIPATING IN THE TRIBAL CANOE JOURNEYS.
In 2023, our face-to-face exchanges and activities resumed with our international partners. View our 2023 Annual Report to see the information and photos of the achievements and activities of our organization in 2023.
- We hosted our first-ever live benefit music and cultural concert in Taipei.
- We brought our youth ambassadors from Taiwan to join our Nisqually Canoe Family for cultural exchange at the 2023 Tribal Canoe Journeys, the largest annual Indigenous canoe-going cultural celebration.
- We participated in a culture exchange with the University of Washington Burke Museum bringing living culture to enhance and honor the Indigenous museum artifacts from Taiwan.
- We supported our partners to host two English-language Summer camps hosted for Indigenous children in Wulai District of New Taipei City, Taiwan.
- We supported our partner in Hawai'i (Kimokeo Foundation) with a donation to aid in the rebuilding efforts in Maui, Hawai'i after the wildfires.
- We met with the Ambassadors of Austronesian nations to gather their support in the development of the Indigenous Youth Ambassador Program, while planning a joint Austronesian delegation to the future Tribal Canoe Journeys.
Latest News and Developments:
- 04/17/2024 - An American non-profit joins hands with Tuvaluan delegation to unite with Pacific leaders of 28 nations at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in the spirit of fatele and environmental guardianship.
- 11/03/2023 - Paddle to Muckleshoot: Honoring our Warriors Past & Present
- 10/04/2023 - Ambassadors of Austronesian nations sign Letter of Intent with the ATAYAL Organization
- 09/26/2023 - Seafaring culture unites tribes: An Indigenous Tao youth ambassador reflects on his recent canoe journey with the peoples of the Pacific Northwest
- 07/11/2023 - Taiwan Indigenous TV: Coverage of the Benefit Concert in Taipei City
- 07/09/2023 - Recap: Benefit Concert in Taipei City
- 07/03/2023 - Press Release: Benefit Concert in Taipei City to Celebrate Musical and Cultural Diversity
- 07/01/2023 - Taipei Times: Canoes bridge indigenous youth
- 06/26/2023 - Profile: The Organization and its Program
- 04/25/2023 - Article: Niwa Maibut: An ambassador for global language, Indigenous identity in Taiwan
- 02/12/2023 - Article: Visiting Taitung in search of the meaning of my Indigenous identity
- 02/07/2023 - ATAYAL Organization registers in the State of Hawaii
- 12/31/2022 - 2023 Annual Budget
- 12/12/2022 - 2022 Annual Report
- 12/04/2022 - EU Media Delegation Introduced to Atayal Indigenous Culture
- 11/12/2022 - Distant Journeys of Cultural Exchange on display in Oakland California
- 11/12/2022 - Distant Journeys of Cultural Exchange on display in Oakland California
- 10/30/2022 - ATAYAL Organization Founder Delivers Lecture to International Students at National Chengchi University about Taiwan’s Austronesian Connections
- 08/07/2022 - Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassadors participate in USA-Taiwan Virtual Cultural Exchange
[View 2023 Annual Report | View More News | Calendar Of Events | View Blog]
Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program
Interview with Hanford McCloud of the Nisqually Tribe discusses the importance of international Indigenous youth exchange
What if the Indigenous communities of the world were interconnected as they were before being separated and isolated by colonialization? What if they could cooperate to solve problems they share in common and build flourishing, sustainable communities? Indigenous tribes share a bond through their ancient culture and harmonious relationship to the land, water, and sky. Imagine if we could work together to solve the problems in our communities caused by the disconnection from society and the earth. What could this provide to our entire planet?
Our organization strives to do our part to realize this long-term vision through our Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP). The next generation of Indigenous leaders are currently facing some of the toughest challenges imaginable, and they will be better prepared to understand the problems of their communities, identify opportunities available through cross-cultural cooperation, and develop solutions. The ATAYAL Organization provides a three-tiered approach to empowering and supporting the Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassadors (IBYAP):
- Cultural Identity Reinforcement and Relationship Building
- Transformational Training and Mentorship
- Field Work in Regenerative Community Development Projects
Our organization's training programs and the community development projects we support are guided by principles of sustainable development learned from Indigenous knowledge-keepers and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
Our organization resumed face-to-face exchanges for our Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassadors in 2023 with the Tribal Canoe Journeys. Our work is only possible with your support. Please join us to build a legacy for future generations.
[Read more about the Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program]
Motivated By The Urgency Of The Need To Preserve Indigenous Culture And Wisdom
THE NEED: There are more than 300 million Indigenous people and more than 7,000 active languages in the world. As marginalized people, most Indigenous people are under threat of having their culture disappear forever. When an entire language and culture goes extinct, what is lost to humanity is immeasurable. How do we protect these rich, colorful languages and cultures? Academics can document language and culture, but only the Indigenous people can pass down their cultural legacy to future generations. In our modern, fast-evolving societies, there are external economic pressures and societal barriers that prevent the traditions and cultures from being passed down to younger generations. The traditional culture and wisdom that was once passed down from generation to generation is also in danger of disappearing. What will motivate parents and knowledge-keepers of Indigenous communities to pass down their traditions to the youth?
OUR SOLUTION: The ATAYAL Organization was founded in 2001 as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization for the purpose of sharing and preserving Indigenous culture. Since then, our organization's programs and activities with Indigenous communities have given us insight and experience to address the crisis of disappearing languages, culture, and wisdom. In order to address the barriers to the transfer of Indigenous Culture and Knowledge to the youth, we strive to connect Indigenous communities around the world in multiple ways. Our IBYAP Program provides a platform that culminates in sustainable development of their communities to ensure ongoing value and transfer of the traditional culture and knowledge.
MISSION STATEMENT: Transforming Lives + Revitalizing Communities: Bridging Connections of Indigenous Culture + Wisdom
PAST CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
"Connecting Indigenous people face-to-face is powerful, as it creates new, unpredictable developments that positively impact communities for generations to come." --- Tony Coolidge, Founder and President
Tribal Canoe Journeys Exchange
In 2017, 2018, 2019, a delegation of Taiwanese Indigenous people traveled to the USA to take part in the annual Tribal Canoe Journeys with the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. The Taiwanese delegation has been hosted by the Nisqually canoe family each year. Each year, a delegation of youth experiences the canoe culture and the hospitality of different host nations, and there are future plans for the Native Americans sending a group to Taiwan.
First Nations Involved: USA (Nisqually, Puyallup, Lummi and more), Taiwan (Atayal, Tao)
Tap Root Indigenous Youth Exchange
In 2013, our organization helped to create the first international cultural exchange project connecting Austronesian first nations. Maori media students from Auckland, New Zealand participated in several Indigenous exchange events, and learned more about Taiwan's Austronesian culture and history. They were hosted by several Universities, where they explored Indigenous media cooperation. This ambitious international cultural exchange project gave us the experience and results that would lead to the development of the Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program.
First Nations Involved: New Zealand (Maori), Taiwan (Amis, Paiwan, Rukai, and more)
[More info on our current program]
MEDIA DEVELOPMENT
Media production is one of the tools in our toolbox to support our program. One of the first media productions our organization supported was "Atayal Trail," produced by MeGa Production Studios in 2003. After partnering with Producers and Directors, Aaron Hosé and Chris Bremer, our organization supported the production of "Time and Music in a Disappearing World (2006)" and "Voices In The Clouds (2009)." The latter would end up being screened in film festivals in many countries around the world and winning several prestigious awards.
[More info on our media projects | More info on Voices In The Clouds | Visit our YouTube Channel]
VOLUNTEERING
ATAYAL is a non-profit organization that has been staffed and supported 100% by volunteers. There have been no paid positions and no paid fundraisers. We are thankful to have been able to attract dedicated volunteers who believe in the mission, and we owe our successes to them. We currently have volunteer opportunities available for our Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program. These positions include mentors, coordinators and translators. If you're looking for unique, meaningful opportunities to make a difference, please visit our VOLUNTEERS page and sign up.
ATAYAL
c/o Tony Coolidge
11018 SE 322nd St
Auburn, WA 98092
407-459-7766
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