Study on Presbyterian Church Assisting Aboriginal Community in Craft Industry Development: A Case Study of Hand Creation and Culture Museum of Aboriginal Community Established by Holistic Aboriginal Development Care Association in Taitung County

Taitung County with the highest percentage of Taiwan's aboriginal population has seven tribes, which is with most multiple aboriginal groups. The Holistic Aboriginal Development Care Association in Taitung County is a social welfare organization established by the Presbyterian Church to help natives. The association is devoted to improvements in education, social welfare and the economies of aborigines. Though it needs church fundraising and enterprise sponsorship to support administrative and personnel expenses in association, volunteers still endeavor to help natives with economic improvement and craft and cultural heritage.

The Hand Creation and Culture Museum of Aboriginal Community is a platform for aboriginal craft exchange where displays artworks of 15 aboriginal craftsmen aiming to accumulate vitality in craft and promote capacity of micro business. The present study based on expert interviews and case studies discusses the system and current status of the Holistic Aboriginal Development Care Association in Taitung County assisting aboriginal community in craft industry development and found the following:

1) The platform accumulates diversified craft cultures which energizes craftsmen to keep creating things and provides relevant system;

2) The platform helps diminish the gap in communication among different tribes which allows craftsmen to find self-value and innovative thinking;

3) The platform increases exchange of micro-businesses in city and countryside that assists different workshops in looking for chance of sustainable operation.