WINHEC Countries／Nations Representatives took photo after WINHEC charter and by-laws revision meeting

The 2018 Annual General Meeting （AGM） of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium （WINHEC） just ended this September. Since its inception in 2002, the WINHEC has been a crucial partner with those working on international indigenous higher education. Having been actively establishing contact and communication with the WINHEC over the past year or so, Professor Jolan Hsieh （Bavaragh Dagalomai / 謝若蘭） successfully regained the membership of the WINHEC and became the country representative.

The mission of the WINHEC is to revitalize indigenous languages and cultures through global collaboration with its eight indigenous members, Australia, Alaska, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, Hawaii, Sami, and Taiwan. The College of Indigenous Studies （CIS） at National Dong Hwa University （NDHU） hosted both the AGM and the World Indigenous Research and Education Conference （WIREC） of the WINHEC in 2012. The WINHEC's AGM and WIREC this year were hosted by Sámi University of Applied Sciences and Sámi High School and Reindeer Husbandry School in Norway. Professor Hsieh delivered at the AGM the country report of Taiwan's indigenous education as well as presented a paper, Internal Reflection and Social Responsibility of Indigenous Studies, at the WIREC.

It was the first time for the AGM to conduct an Indigenous Youth Camp （IYC） as a side event to the AGM. The goal of the IYC this time was to broaden the horizons of indigenous youths and explore the international connection at a younger age. The main task, also known as action items, of the IYC this year included water, land and missing indigenous women.

Professor Hsieh successfully presented a proposal for hosting the 2019 WINHEC AGM and received confirmation recently that the National Dong Hwa University will be the host next year. "I totally agree with the WINHEC's definition of indigenous higher education. It is not only a complete educational system from youngsters to senior members, but also an implementation of the Right to Self-Determination for indigenous education," said Professor Hsieh, who then stressed that "Serving as the local host for the 2019 WINHEC AGM can raise Taiwan's global profile and acquire supports from international indigenous educators." Professor Hsieh invited those, who would be interested in taking part in the 2019 WINHEC AGM hosted in Taiwan （5-day activities from 28^th July to 3^rd August including community day/s and Elder and Youth Camp）, to contact the Center for International Indigenous Affairs （iia@gms.ndhu.edu.tw）.

Taiwan delegation presented gifts to the two Norwegian hosts of the 2018 WINHEC on behalf of Taiwan. Both co-hosts are on the left and they are Laura Horton (Seven Generations Education Institution) and Dr. Elmer J, Guy (President of Navajo Technical University)

Professor Hsieh made country report of Taiwan's indigenous higher education at the WINHEC AGM