The Mirror Art Foundation in Chiangrai, Thailand was awarded a grant aimed at encouraging increased understanding of the rapid changes affecting the lives and cultures of ethnic minorities in the uplands of Northern Thailand. The various activities under the grant include raising public awareness of hill-tribe socio-cultural issues, carried out through activities such as launching a hill-tribe documentary film festival and educational campaigns. A set of community activities that will bring together a wider group of hill-tribes across ethnic groups, generations, and borders will also be carried out under the project. The project also aims to attract more hill-tribe youths’ interest in socio-cultural issues as a result of the activities.

The Mirror Art Foundation and Saen Jai Mai Village, Mae Fah Luang District, Chiangrai together organized the first Akha Singing Competition to be held in Thailand over the weekend of September 3-4, 2005. The competition was organized with the aim of encouraging Akha youth to continue writing and singing traditional Akha songs. Approximately 50 groups entered the contest, coming from Akha villages near and far. Also at the event was a competition for traditional dancers and the traditional Akha Swing Ceremony that is held over the Akha New Year. (For more information on the Akha, please visit its website at http://www.hilltribe.org.)