Today, on March 25, the Council of Indigenous Peoples commenced the opening ceremony of the 2023 Indigenous Policy Practical Training Course for Indigenous People Passing Civil Service Special Examinations, held at the Nantou Office of the Civil Service Development Institute (DGPA), Executive Yuan. Minister Icyang Parod attended the event, sharing career experiences and encouraging participants to accumulate experience gradually while upholding the commitment to serve their people. Minister Icyang also presented attendees with the book SANO'AMISEN ITA A SOMOWAL: Let's Speak Our Language Together, aiming to foster a conducive environment for the use of indigenous languages. The training, spanning five days, attracted 88 participants.

Additionally, starting from this year (2024), adjustments have been made to the Civil Service Special Examinations for Indigenous Peoples. One professional subject has been removed from the third- and fourth-grade exams, except for the fourth-grade diplomatic administrative personnel category. Furthermore, a separate "Indigenous Administration and Laws" subject has been included in all categories, accounting for 15% of the total score to reflect the unique nature of the examination and to meet the practical needs of government agencies.

Minister Icyang gave the following speech:

Good morning, everyone! Today marks the first day of our concentrated training session. Over the next five days, we hope to provide you with practical training to help you learn about and understand current trends in indigenous policies, basic laws, and important initiatives, as well as the current status of human rights and gender equality in Taiwan.

I would like to take this opportunity to share my own work experience with you today. Prior to entering the system, I spent a decade advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples on the streets. In fact, in 1995, I was sentenced to a year in prison for violating the Assembly and Parade Act during a protest. The following year, the Council of Indigenous Peoples was established, but it wasn't until 1997 that I joined as a parliamentary liaison, officially beginning my career in public service. During that time, in addition to handling inquiries during legislative sessions and coordinating and communicating between legislators and the Council of Indigenous Peoples, part of my job involved preparing for the departure of former Minister Tjaravak Kadrangian to the legislature. This meant arriving five minutes early at the minister's office to assist with preparing his briefcase, pre-pressing the elevator button, ensuring a smooth exit from the building, and promptly opening the car door for the minister upon arrival at the legislature. These were the most basic of tasks.

But I then held various positions within the Council of Indigenous Peoples, serving as a Senior Specialist in Taipei City, Director-General of the Indigenous Peoples Department of the New Taipei City Government, and later as Deputy Minister and Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples. I was also elected as a New Taipei City Councilor, accumulating experience in local administration and policy advocacy. It was not until President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016 that I joined the cabinet team, once again assuming the role of Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, a position I have held for nearly eight years now. Over the past 40-plus years, I have built up experience, starting from grassroots activism to administrative and advocacy roles. By standing alongside my fellow indigenous peoples, I have had the opportunity to continuously serve our community at both local and national level.

Today, I have prepared the book SANO'AMISEN ITA A SOMOWAL: Let's Speak Our Language Together, published by our council, for all of you. This book documents all the speeches I have personally delivered in various meetings and events in indigenous languages. For example, in 2021, during the 25^th anniversary celebration of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, I delivered a speech in the presence of President Tsai Ing-wen and former Premier Su Tseng-chang in Amis. Attendees at the event had to wear simultaneous interpretation earphones to hear the Mandarin translation. I have also delivered speeches in the distant Marshall Islands at an international conference attended by representatives from 14 countries, also in Amis. These speeches were translated into Mandarin by Amis teachers and then into English, showcasing how indigenous languages have not only taken root in Taiwan but also become official languages in the international community through the use of technology and professional interpreters.

I also want to share with you all that indigenous languages have now become national languages. As of December two years ago, the Council of Indigenous Peoples' expanded supervisor meetings have adopted a United Nations-style meeting format, providing simultaneous interpretation services for languages such as Amis and Tsou, not only creating a working environment conducive to indigenous languages but also encouraging supervisors to deliver reports in their own indigenous language. Our Director of the Comprehensive Planning Department, Mr. Yapasuyongʉ．Poiconʉ, has become increasingly fluent in his own indigenous language through such monthly reports, and even obtained an advanced certification in the language at the end of last year. I hope that in the future, everyone can take the initiative to promote indigenous languages in their work and shoulder the responsibility of language preservation, collectively reclaiming our linguistic heritage.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the NACS Central Taiwan Training Center for their continuous assistance in organizing this training program. Whether by providing venues, accommodation, daily necessities for participants, or printing materials, they have greatly aided with the arrangements, ensuring the smooth preparation and execution of this training.

Finally, I hope that after returning to your respective positions, you will not forget your original intentions, remain humble in learning, and collectively advance indigenous policies. I wish you all the best in applying what you have learned and reaching new heights in your careers.