The Department of East Asian Studies of the University of Toronto (U of T) on October 26 and 27 presented the 2017 Taiwan Spotlight Project, a two-day international conference with the topic of “Multiculturality and Indigenous Cultural Writings in Taiwan.” Several scholars from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Canada were invited to discuss studies in multiculturalism and indigenous cultures.

The opening ceremony took place on October 26 at the Department’s Purple Lounge. The attendees included Catherine Y. M. Hsu, Director-General of Toronto TECO, Hana Kim, Director of the East Asian Library, U of T, Chen Shen,

Vice President of Royal Ontario Museum, Vincent Shen Lee, Chair Professor, U of T, faculty members and students of U of T, leaders of the Taiwanese communities and local media in Toronto.

On the first day of the conference, the “Special Display and Talk on Atayal Culture in Taiwan” was held. Two Atayal artists, Yuma Taru and Baunay Watan were invited to talk about Atayal culture. Their respective topics were “A Moving Book: The Art of Atayal Clothing,” and “The Trace in Disappearing: The Beauty of Atayal Facial Tattoo.” During the display and talk, Yuma provided insight into the art of Atayal clothing and, using the tools she brought from Taiwan, demonstrated how Atayal and her young daughter wove the clothing. For his part, Baunay discussed the beauty of Atayal facial tattoo, and shared stunning photos he had taken, depicting Atayal Culture.

On the second day, the conference was divided into three panels with the following subjects: “Taiwan Indigenous Image and Object during the Japanese Colonization,” “Multiculturality and Indigenous Studies in Canada and Taiwan,” and “Lecture on Taiwan Indigenous Literature and Translation.” The panelists included scholars from Taiwan’s National Chung Cheng University, Hong Kong’s Lingnan University, Canada’s University of Manitoba and University of Toronto. The keynote speaker was Professor Darryl Sterk. Also in attendance was Lee Maracle, a Canadian First Nations Coast Salish poet and author.

The international conference was organized by Professor Johanna Liu, Department of East Asian Studies, U of T. The event also gained wide supported from the Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan), and several U of T-affiliated institutes, including the Department of East Asian Studies, the Cheng Yu Tung East Asian Library, the Global Taiwan Studies program in Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs, Taiwan Academy Contact Point and the Centre for Indigenous Studies. Through this international conference, Taiwanese artists have further promoted Taiwan indigenous cultures and arts on the international stage, adding an important chapter to the global multiculturalism. Moreover, the conference also built up a quality platform for exchange in the newly emerging field of indigenous cultural studies.

DG Hsu gives her remarks during the conference.

Two Atayal artists display the art of Atayal clothing.