Sandra Oudkirk, director of AIT, attends the Hualien Amis Harvest Festival

The Council of Indigenous Peoples invited Sandra Oudkirk (孫曉雅), director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), to take part in the Amis Harvest Festival of the Amis Natawran tribe in Ji'an Township, Hualien. Additionally, this is the first Amis Harvest Festival that an AIT Director has attended.

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Sandra Oudkirk, director of AIT, attends the Hualien Amis Harvest Festival.Photo reproduced from the Council of Indigenous Peoples Facebook

The Natawran tribe gave the director Sandra Oudkirk a hearty welcome. She danced the assembly dance while holding hands and carrying an “alofo” on her back and enjoy Amis food with the tribe. Sandra Oudkirk expressed her joy at the chance to join everyone in celebrating the Amis Harvest Festival during her address. She sensed a genuine welcome here rather than just a vague, courteous invitation. She was grateful for this unique opportunity since human relationships are the foundation of the relationship between the United States and Taiwan.

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Sandra Oudkirk, director of AIT, attends the Hualien Amis Harvest Festival.Photo reproduced from the Council of Indigenous Peoples Facebook

Icyang Parod, minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, stated that the Amis Harvest Festival is crucial to the continuation of indigenous language and culture as well as the harmony of ethnic tribes. Sandra Oudkirk, director of AIT, received a special invitation to attend the Amis Harvest Festival of the Natawran tribe in order to learn about the indigenous peoples of Taiwan's unique and vibrant culture.