To promote extensive ,close and friendly relations in culture a-
nd other fields and to promote the dignity and rights of Aborig-
inal peoples within the respective territories through mutual c-
ooperation on a reciprocal basis, the Council of Aboriginal Aff-
airs, Executive Yuan in Taipei and the Canadian Trade Office in
Taipei (hereinafter referred to as ”the Parties”have reached
the following understanding:
Article 1: Purpose
The Parties agree that international cooperation is one of the
best ways to elevate and enhance the dignity and rights of Abor-
iginal peoples. The Parties will increase the well-being of Abo-
riginal peoples through joint efforts and cooperation.
Article 2 : Coordination and Implementation
1.The Parties will be the implementing agencies.
2.Each Party will designate a representative for the implementa-
tion, coordination and liaison related to this Memorandum of
Understanding. The representatives will develop an annual coo-
peration plan and meet at least once a year to formulate an a-
genda, to determine a location for the meeting, and to discuss
revisions, if any, to this Memorandum of Understanding.
3.The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DI-
AND) in Canada ,on a consultative basis, will contribute to t-
he formulation of the annual cooperation plan and will provide
non-financial support to the objectives of the Memorandum of
Understanding.
Article 3: Scope of Cooperation
The Parties will exchange experiences relating to Aboriginal af-
fairs. The following shall be the key areas of cooperation :
1.To encourage academic seminars to be held on a regular basis,
inviting scholars from the Parties?respective countries for w-
ide-ranging discussions on Aboriginal education, culture, eco-
nomy, land, employment, social policy and other items closely
related to the development of Aboriginals as a reference for
promoting the position of Aboriginals.
2.To encourage the exchange of scholars in the field of Aborigi-
nal affairs to lecture or do research at each other's univers-
ities ,and to encourage the exchange of students for study at
each other's schools of equivalent level, in co-operation with
the appropriate educational and government authorities.
3.To exchange Aboriginal related information through electronic
means or otherwise.
4.To share Aboriginal handicraft productions and marketing expe-
rience and jointly organize exhibitions and sales of aborigin-
al cultural objects.
5.To encourage the exchange of visits of groups, tribes or indi-
viduals to attend Aboriginal folklore celebrations / festivals
or other activities.
6.To share policies and measures relating to economic developme-
nt, and to establish mechanisms for the exchange of technical
expertise.
7.To formally exchange positive experiences of environmental st-
ewardship especially regarding traditional aboriginal practis-
es.
8.To promote athletic exchanges, and exchanges of experiences of
Aboriginal sports elite.
Article 4: Funding
1.Funding or any exchanges contemplated under this MOU will be
arranged by the Parties on a case-by-case basis.
2.Each Party will be responsible for finding funds for any prop-
osed exchange to the other Party. In locating those funds, ea-
ch party will contact all appropriate domestic groups, organi-
zations, and agencies to support proposed exchanges.
Article 5: Responsibility
The Parties will implement the annual cooperation plan referred
to in Article 2 in a spirit of goodwill that promote the well-b-
eing of Aboriginal people and to enhance the substantive relati-
onship between the Parties.
Article 6: General Provisions
1.This Memorandum of Understanding shall take effect upon signa-
ture and shall remain in effect for a period of ten (10) years
.
2.Either Party may terminate this Memorandum of Understanding at
any time upon six months written notice to the other Party. T-
he termination of this Memorandum of Understanding shall not
affect the validity or duration of activities agreed upon her-
eunder and initiated prior to such termination, unless the Pa-
rties otherwise agree.
Done in duplicate at Taipei, this 20th day of December 1998 in
English language.
For the Council of Aboriginal Affairs For the Canadian Trade
Office
Executive Yuan in Taipei in Taipei
[Signed] [Signed]
Chia-Chih HUA, Chairman David Mulroney, Director