Congratulations to Madraw (Liao Hsiao-Wen), a Student of the Program, for Being Honored as an Outstanding Indigenous Language Model Mother

Date: June 15, 2023

Madraw (Liao Hsiao-Wen), a student of the Program, participated in the 2022 Indigenous Language Proficiency Certification Examination and successfully obtained the highest-level certification, the Advanced Level – Southern Paiwan Language Certificate. Before Mother’s Day this year, she was invited by the Council of Indigenous Peoples to attend the 2023 National Indigenous Language Model Mother Recognition Ceremony, where she was honored by President Tsai Ing-wen as one of the first recipients of the National Indigenous Language Model Mother Award.

The Indigenous Language Proficiency Certification Examination, jointly organized by the Council of Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous Languages Research and Development Foundation, is held twice annually. Assistant Professor Ba Ching-Hsiung of the Department of Sociology at National Sun Yat-sen University, who is a Rukai Indigenous person from Wutai Township, noted that individuals who wish to become Indigenous language teachers must obtain at least an advanced-level certification through this examination. Madraw achieved the even more challenging Advanced Level certification, which represents an exceptional accomplishment. As he remarked, “This is truly an outstanding achievement!”

Madraw currently serves at the Chunri Township Indigenous Representative Council in Pingtung County. Despite her professional responsibilities and family commitments, she travels to National Sun Yat-sen University in Sizihwan, Kaohsiung every Saturday to pursue graduate studies. She approaches her studies with dedication and has achieved excellent academic performance. To her classmates, she is an optimistic and motivated learning partner; to her children, she is a role model mother.

Madraw expressed that she feels deeply honored to receive the 2023 Indigenous Language Model Mother Award from the Council of Indigenous Peoples. She credited her mother’s guidance in faith, which allowed her to grow up immersed in a church environment where Indigenous language was spoken entirely. She also expressed gratitude for her husband’s support, which has enabled her to dedicate herself to Indigenous language education and promotion without worries. Her three children are also willing learners of their ancestral language and have developed a strong appreciation for Indigenous culture.

Furthermore, through the encouragement and support of colleagues involved in Indigenous language promotion at the Chunri Township Office, Madraw has gained more opportunities to learn, preserve, and promote Indigenous language. She also expressed her appreciation to the faculty members, classmates, and administrative staff of the Executive Master's Program in Indigenous Studies, Department of Sociology, National Sun Yat-sen University, whose guidance, support, and encouragement helped her regain confidence in academic pursuits. Through faculty mentorship, she has further explored issues related to Indigenous languages, and the knowledge and strength gained at National Sun Yat-sen University have empowered her to speak her ancestral language with greater confidence.

新聞來源：https://news.nsysu.edu.tw/p/16-1120-309170.php?Lang=zh-tw