The Japanese colonial government had constructed the Japanese identity of Indigenous Peoples in Taiwan by means such as education systems and cultural propaganda.

As the note of discord had inevitably crept into relations between the new generation of Indigenous youth and their families or communities of origin, young Indigenous people expanded their own cross-ethnic networks and exchanged ideas through various new types of communities, such as Takasago Youth Corps and self-help associations, thus laying the groundwork for the pursuit of Indigenous rights and awakening.

On October 29, 1935, during the Taiwan exposition commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Japanese Governance, the Government-General of Taiwan organized a round‐table conference for the cadres of Takasago Youth Corps, with the participation of thirty-two Indigenous youth of different origins: Tayal, Saisiyat, Bunun, Cou, Paiwan, tao and etc. As the first official cross-ethnic gathering of Indigenous youth in Taiwan arranged by the colonial government, it was unavoidable for the participants to pay compliments to the authorities. Nevertheless, these young people also made use of this opportunity to exchange opinions on issues of community governance and to learn from each other, while attempting to develop the concept of pan-ethnicity for Indigenous Peoples.

In this conference, the comments made by the representatives of six Indigenous groups revealed their expectations for themselves and for their communities, as well as their encouragements for each other. Also, the conflicts between Indigenous traditions and modern life, such as issues on submission of guns, indoor burials and public health, were discussed during the meeting.

On July 16, 1936, the Cou Peoples in Alishan held a conference at Tapangu, attended by the cadres of the Cou Youth Corps to discuss various issues about their communities, such as promotion of national language (Japanese), labour service, reclamation of paddy fields, afforestation, soil and water conservation, traditional customs, medicinal plants, land allocation, and trespass on reserves by Hontōjin (Han Formosans living in plain areas).

On December 13, 1936, at Taihoku J.F.A.K. Radio Broadcasting Station (currently the Taipei 228 Memorial Museum), Boyong Bonay (Baba Takeshi) of Tayal, Takisyan Nao (Katō Naoichi) of Bunun, Uong'e Yatauyungana of Cou, and Lohoroang Jiburan of Paiwan made a broadcast to the Empire of Japan. In this first national broadcast by Indigenous Peoples in Taiwan, these young men talked about their daily lives in "Bansan" (meaning "savage mountains"), their religious beliefs, the differences between past and present Indigenous lifestyles, and songs of Takasago people. The program received enthusiastic responses and feedback from the audience in Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Manchuria.