The first session of the two-day training course of the Safe Use of Self-made Firearms by Indigenous Peoples organized by the Council of Indigenous Peoples was successfully completed yesterday (3^rd). Forty-nine trainees in total completed the course and passed the test to acquire the training qualification certificate. Chairperson of the Council of Indigenous Peoples Zeng Zhi-yong (Ljaucu Zingrur) congratulated the qualified trainees and encouraged them to appreciate that a true hunter does not run around recklessly with a firearm; they are brave and possess the experience and judgment of how to respect life, cherish the environment, and protect themselves and others.

The Council of Indigenous Peoples stated that the first sessions of this training was limited to 50 people due to the range size and training timeframe. For those who were unable to participate in the training this time, the Council of Indigenous Peoples plans to gradually increase the training sessions depending on local needs and will choose suitable venues to host future sessions. The needs of people from the southern and eastern areas will be considered first.

The Council of Indigenous Peoples emphasized that according to the Implementation Guidelines for the Safe Use of Self-made Firearms by Indigenous Peoples, the Council of Indigenous Peoples shall commission and collaborate with tribes, groups, and other institutions to organize training. This training session was organized by the Council of Indigenous Peoples and it will gather information on how to offer improved sessions in the future. Starting next year, the Council plans to gradually hand over training to each tribe, group, or related institution so the needs of wider communities can be met and integrated into the traditional social system of each tribe, combining traditional hunting culture with the training to achieve cultural sustainability.

The Council of Indigenous Peoples hopes that the trainees in this cohort learned a lot from the training and increased their safety awareness of firearm operation. In the future, following the law and taking safety into account, the precious traditional hunting culture of indigenous peoples can be sustained and practiced.