- Hokkaido Utari Association
The Hokkaido Utari Association (北海道ウタリ協会 "Hokkaidō Utari Kyōkai") is an umbrella group of which most
Hokkaidō Ainu and some other Ainu are members. Originally controlled by the government with the intention of speeding Ainu assimilation and integration into theJapan esenation state , it now operates independently of the government and is run exclusively by Ainu.It was established in 1930 under the name Hokkaido Ainu Association (北海道アイヌ協会 "Hokkaidō Ainu Kyōkai"). Since 1961 "utari" has been used instead of "Ainu". The group has been influential in raising public awareness of Ainu issues. It is announced that the organisation's name will be changed back to Hokkaido Ainu Association. [http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0516/TKY200805160292.html]
External links
* [http://www.ainu-assn.or.jp/ Hokkaido Utari Association]
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