After concluding his engagements at Salt Lake City, Sikyong arrived on 12 February at Portland to a warm reception from President and committee of North American Tibetan association and Tibetan community.
In the evening, the local Tibetan community received the Sikyong at the local Tibetan association’s community hall, followed by a visit to the weekend Tibetan school and interaction with the students and address to the youth.
At the official programme, the President of the Tibetan association delivered the welcome address, followed by Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup’s address on the Sikyong’s engagements and meeting with US officials in Washington DC. Sikyong delivered his public address stressing the importance of being aware of Tibetan national history; the grave situation inside Tibet where various repressive measures are being implemented by the Chinese government; and the recent bipartisan and bicameral Tibet bill introduced by the US legislative on resolving Tibet-China conflict. He urged the public to work together to push for the enactment of the bill into law.
Sikyong also expressed gratitude to the US government for their political and financial support. He further apprised the gathering on the 16th Kashag’s major undertakings in the duration of its leadership such as the sustenance of the settlements, empowerment of the CTA staff, importance of the population survey, contribution of Chatrel and revision of housing and land ownership rules. After the address, he answered some of the queries posed by the public.
In his interaction with the youth, Sikyong apprised them of the land formation of Tibet, its history, the spread of Buddhism in Tibet, US-Tibet relations and the first arrival of Tibetans into the US. He also briefed them on the US policies supporting Tibet, the repression inside Tibet by the Chinese government, and the oppressive policies aimed at destroying the Tibetan identity and language completely. He urged them to participate in the movement to push for the enactment of the Tibet bill into law, and also to concentrate on learning Tibetan language.
On 13 February, Sikyong left for Seattle, and in the evening, he arrived at the Mount Lake Terrace Community Center where he was received by the President and committee of the Tibetan association and the Tibetan community. He delivered the public address and addressed the youth.
Tomorrow morning, he is scheduled to depart for Vancouver City, Canada.
Sikyong greets the public.
Sikyong pays obeisance to the deities.
Visiting the weekend school.
Addressing the public.
Cultural performance from the children.
Cultural performance from the Tibetan association.
Sikyong arrives in Seattle on 13 February.
Greeting the public.
Addressing the public in Seattle.
Group photo with Seattle Tibetans.
