The non-profit organization, ATAYAL, originally created the event as a way to expand its base of support for its mission of educating Americans about the tribal cultures of Taiwan. The biggest challenge was to give non-indigenous people a way to connect with the world of the indigenous people and inspire them to support preservation and education efforts. The founder, Tony Coolidge, was connected to indigenous culture through his love for his deceased mother, whom he discovered was a member of the indigenous Atayal tribe of Taiwan. But he could not convey why the fate of indigenous groups is important.
Tony Coolidge could never really express that very powerfully... until he attended a forum at the United Nations in May 2004. When he was speaking to and learning from the many indigenous advocates, he realized how important the Indigenous Heritage Festival could be. Mr. Coolidge realized how much the indigenous people and their cultures have to offer to everyone in more modern societies and gained a clearer understanding of their struggle for exposure and fair representation. There was very little media coverage during the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations. This forum is a two-week event that unites indigenous leaders representing 340 million people. They are very grateful to have a forum where their concerns can be expressed and their knowledge and wisdom can be appreciated. Outside of the U.N. forum, however, their voice makes little impact.
Their indigenous way of life is continuously being stripped from them. Even more alarming is the rate at which the indigenous languages are disappearing due to lack of interest and cultural intolerance. Young people are pressured by modern societies to give up their traditional ways of life to conform and earn money. It is estimated by the academic community that if nothing is done, half of the 20,000 indigenous languages will disappear forever within ten years. None of these languages are written. This means all of the knowledge and wisdom contained in those languages will disappear as well.
Negligence breeds ignorance, resulting in eventual perish. Tribal cultures have intimate knowledge of nature, the environment, flora and fauna, and natural health. Cures for cancer, AIDS and many other diseases may be lost. We may never know.
What will it take to have the human race listen to the wisdom of the people who have lived life following the laws of nature and mastered a life of self-sustaining balance? When will we look to these people as valuable guides to learn from, to add balance to our lives? When will they have a voice that is heard and cherished? When human society learns to truly appreciate the strength and richness that is available through cultural diversity, the indigenous cultures will no longer be in danger. To achieve this, it will take many opportunities for people to learn from and appreciate one another. The Indigenous Heritage Festival is one such opportunity.
For more information, please contact Tony Coolidge at (321) 231-5857 or by e-mail.
