The international touring exhibition “Message Stick: Indigenous Identity in Urban Australia”,an exhibition presented by the Australian Government in partnership with Artbank Australia and National Museum of Prehistory, and was unveiled by Acting Representative Dr. Nicholas Rogers of the Australian Office, Minister Dr. Paelabang Danapan of the Council of Indigenous Peoples and Director Dr. Chang Shan-Nan from the National Museum of Prehistory on 19 July in Taitung.
The exhibition coincides with the summer period when urban-based indigenous peoples return to their tribes to participate in the annual Harvest Festival. To cater for their interests, the National Museum of Prehistory developed a comprehensive program to accompany the event including seminars, screenings, educational programs, training courses and workshops, which explore local indigenous cultures and industries. These events aim to deepen indigenous cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Australia, and provide a broader international perspective to cross-cultural issues such as how indigenous peoples adjust to life within an urban context. The exhibition runs until 25 August.
A group photo shows guests and members of the Mamama Tribal Theatre Group at the Message Stick opening reception (back row from left to right): Ms. Ke Lih-Chen of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Mr. Mayaw Biho of the Indigenous Peoples Commission of Tainan City Government, Chou Hui-Min of the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation, Ms. Elise Tseng of the Taiwan Culture & Creative Platform Foundation, Australian curator Antoanetta Ivanova, artist Wu A-Sun, Minister Paelabang Danapan from the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Dr. Nicholas Rogers from the Australian Office, Director Chang Shan-Nan of the National Museum of Prehistory , the chairman and the director general of Mamama Tribal Theatre Group.
The Mamama Tribal Theatre Group from Taitung’s Bunun tribe performs at the Message Stick opening reception.
Researcher Ms. Lin Song-en of the National Museum of Prehistory (right) leads VIP guests on a guided tour of the Message Stick exhibition.
The Bunun Mamama Tribal Theatre Group prays for the success of the Message Stick exhibition by performing a traditional singing ritual.
Acting Representative of the Australian Office Dr. Nicholas Rogers responds to questions by the media during an interview at the opening ceremony of the Message Stick exhibition.