In recent years, the ATAYAL Organization has accelerated the development of its Indigenous Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP). With the pandemic and travel restrictions safely behind us, face-to-face exchanges will resume in 2023. Our organization is organizing an Austronesian family of nations to join the Tribal Canoe Journeys, the largest annual Indigenous canoe-going cultural celebration. The youth exchange includes an intense cultural experience that forges cultural identities and reinforces bonds between members of diverse communities. With a stronger connection between communities, our youth ambassadors are primed to produce remarkable results that will benefit the local communities and ensure that cultural traditions and wisdom are valued and protected.

Latest News and Activities:

PROGRAM: Origin | Challenges | Curriculum | Partners | Promise | DONATE

Motivated By The Need For The Preservation Of 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, the cultures and languages of most Indigenous people are under threat of disappearing forever. When an entire language and culture goes extinct, what is lopst to humainty 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 make the effort to passs down their traditions to the youth?

OUR SOLUTION: ATAYAL 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

[Read more about mission]

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.

[More info on volunteering]