The Hokkaido Utari Association is an umbrella group of which most Hokkaido Ainu and some other Ainu are members. Originally controlled by the government with the intention of speeding Ainu assimilation and integration into the Japanese nation state, it now operates independently of the government and is run exclusively by Ainu.
It was established in 1946 under the name Hokkaido Ainu Association. Since 1961 utari has been used instead of "Ainu". The group has been influential in raising public awareness of Ainu issues.
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