‘Only time will tell if the DPP government is merely cultivating its own local supporters, or is sincere about recognizing indigenous sovereignty,’ writes Simon Scott.
The News Lens
Date: 2017/10/18
By: Scott Simon
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) began her term on May 20, 2016, full of promise for
Photo Credit: 蔡英文
Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. In her inauguration address, she promised to pursue transitional justice, rebuild an indigenous historical perspective, promote indigenous autonomous governance, restore indigenous languages and cultures, and improve indigenous livelihoods. Just over two months later, on Aug. 1, 2016 — Indigenous Peoples’ Day — she issued a formal apology at a ceremony with indigenous leaders at the presidential office. Tsai’s apology went further than those of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd or Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Whereas Rudd and Harper only apologized for mistaken policies of previous governments, Tsai atoned for 400 years of settler colonialism. Like her Australian and Canadian predecessors, she also announced the creation of a new commission, the “Commission for Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice.” During the event, indigenous protestors outside the Presidential Office Building on Ketagalan Boulevard called for respect of indigenous hunting rights. There are more than 550,000 indigenous people in Taiwan, accounting for about 2.5 percent of Taiwan’s population of 23.5 million. [FULL STORY]