To highlight the revitalization and development of indigenous languages and in response to UNESCO's International Mother Language Day on February 21, the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) hosted the 2025 International Mother Language Day: Indigenous Language Heritage Awards Ceremony today (February 21) at the Grand Hotel in Taipei. The event brought together indigenous language revitalization advocates and local government representatives from across Taiwan. CIP Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur personally honored this year's seven award recipients, commending their dedication to preserving and passing down indigenous languages, and encouraging greater public engagement in language protection and transmission.

Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur stated that the Indigenous Language Heritage Awards were established to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion of indigenous languages. This year's winners, hailing from various regions across Taiwan, have worked tirelessly in linguistic research, preservation, teaching, and promotion, demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication to their field. Their inspiring achievements not only reflect a profound dedication to indigenous languages but also serve as role models for future generations.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Professor Huang Mei-Jin of the National Taiwan Normal University, who has devoted her life to the preservation and research of indigenous languages. Her extensive fieldwork and linguistic data collection on Austronesian languages have resulted in the publication of three major linguistic collections on Taiwan's Austronesian languages. From academic research to policy advocacy, teacher training, and textbook development, Professor Huang's selfless dedication has had a lasting impact on society, exemplifying the highest standard of scholarship in service of the public.

Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur further emphasized that since the enactment of the Indigenous Languages Development Act in 2017, indigenous languages have been officially recognized as national languages. The government has strongly supported the development of indigenous languages. The Executive Yuan has substantially increased funding to support indigenous language development, enabling the CIP to collaborate with local governments, civil organizations, indigenous communities, and tribal members in promoting sustainable language transmission. These efforts ensure that indigenous languages remain a vital part of Taiwan's cultural heritage for generations to come.