Taiwan Today

Progressive policymaking is addressing many long-standing issues impacting the lives of Taiwan’s aboriginals.

For 19-year-old Saljenljeng Palilaw, a member of the indigenous Paiwan tribe, her dream is to open a hometown art studio for children in southeastern Taiwan’s Taitung County. Currently studying aboriginal art production at National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU) in the southern city of Kaohsiung, Palilaw considers herself fortunate to receive instruction in advanced creative techniques and greater exposure to indigenous cultures.

“Through the variety of courses on offer, I’m turning my dream into reality,” Palilaw said. “And along the way, I’m discovering more about my ethnic background and becoming increasingly appreciative of its beauty and richness.”

Palilaw is among the 30 students enrolled in the Department of Indigenous Art Industry set up in January 2017 under NKNU’s College of Arts. Designed specifically for aboriginal students, the program encompasses a broad range of areas like metalwork, painting, photography, pottery, print-making, sculpture and weaving, as well as subjects such as design, management and marketing, according to Yao Tsun-hsiung (姚村雄‬), dean of the college.

Helping Hand

“We’re assisting talented young indigenous peoples acquire the knowledge and skills needed for successful careers in the arts and arts administration,” Yao said, adding that although the curriculum is focused on arts training and business management, a large component centers on preserving intergenerational cultural heritage. “It’s our hope that through this course, aboriginal arts and cultures can eventually become a major part of Taiwan’s thriving cultural and creative industry.”

A total of 24 colleges and universities in Taiwan offer tailored programs for indigenous students across various disciplines such as arts, civil engineering, design, law, nursing, social work and tourism. The initiative is implemented jointly by the Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) and Ministry of Education, which both provide funding to participating schools.

According to the latest CIP statistics, Taiwan’s aboriginal population stands at 559,918, or 2.4 percent of the nation’s 23.5 million total, with 55 districts and townships classified as indigenous regions. In recent decades, a number of laws have been enacted with a view to safeguarding the ethnicity, interests and rights of aboriginals. These are intended to provide equal access to education, employment, health care and political participation, as well as protect cultures, identities, languages and traditional territories.

Some of the standouts include the Indigenous Languages Development Act (ILDA) promulgated in 2017 to preserve and promote indigenous languages; The Indigenous Peoples Basic Law promulgated in 2005 to protect fundamental rights; Indigenous Peoples Employment Rights Protection Act (IPERPA) promulgated in 2001 to safeguard job opportunities and livelihoods; and Status Act for Indigenous Peoples promulgated in 2001 to foster the recognition and reconstruction of aboriginal identity.

CIP Deputy Minister Iwan Nawi—a member of the Sediq tribe—said the ILDA, which designates the vernaculars of Taiwan’s 16 officially recognized indigenous tribes as national languages, is a milestone in the development of aboriginal rights. “It further demonstrates the government’s commitment to seeking historical and transitional justice for aboriginal peoples.”

Righting Wrongs

This determination, Nawi said, is illustrated by the official apology made Aug. 1, 2016, on behalf of the government by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) to the nation’s indigenous peoples for “four centuries of pain and mistreatment.” By taking this first step, as well as vowing to promote the rights of aboriginals across the board, Tsai is promoting diversity and justice in society on the road to righting the wrongs of the past, she added.

An important aspect in this regard is the establishment in December 2016 of the Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Commission under the Office of the President. Headed by Tsai and made up of representatives from all aboriginal groups in Taiwan, the commission is responsible for reaching consensus on policy directions and uncovering historical truths. It comprises five subcommittees tasked with tackling topics related to culture, history, land, language and reconciliation, respectively.

In addition to the commission, many government agencies are introducing initiatives raising the living conditions and welfare of indigenous peoples, Nawi said. One example is the urban-rural infrastructure portion of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program (FIDP) balancing regional development and boosting quality of life in towns nationwide.

Running from September 2017 to August 2021, the comprehensive initiative is aimed at meeting Taiwan’s development needs for the next 30 years and ensuring future generations enjoy greater prosperity. One of the central planks of the FIDP’s urban-rural infrastructure plan gives more administrative autonomy to aboriginal communities, many of which are located in remote or mountainous areas.

Measures taken under the FIDP include building multifunctional centers offering services ranging from child and senior care to cultural activities and language teaching, expanding access to broadband enabling indigenous communities to bridge the digital divide and upgrading community facilities.

Funded by a special budget reviewed and approved by the Legislature, the FIDP is anticipated as accelerating infrastructure development of aboriginal townships and substantially enhancing the well-being of residents. Progress is closely monitored on a monthly basis by project management centers, with assistance provided in the event of implementation difficulties.

The government is also working to spur aboriginal employment and career development opportunities, Nawi said, citing the IPERPA under which indigenous peoples should make up at least 1 percent of the workforce in public sector agencies, schools and state-owned enterprises with 100 or more employees.

To this end, the CIP has commissioned 90 employment service professionals to help indigenous community members find jobs or start businesses, as well as provide low-interest loans in association with the Bank of Taiwan. Consequently, official data reveals that aboriginal unemployment dropped to 4.10 percent in the third quarter of 2017 from 8.85 percent in 2009, and is edging closer to the national average of 3.77 percent.

Healthy Benefits

According to Nawi, the health of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples is of great concern to Tsai, and she has instructed the CIP and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to ensure aboriginals enjoy equal access to medical and welfare services. This directive is reflected in the special chapter for indigenous peoples incorporated in the Long-term Care Plan 2.0. First approved in 2007, the initiative is achieving the goal of establishing a complete chain ranging from preventative health treatment to community-based support services and late-life hospice care.

“We’re creating a system that can adequately address the three major needs of aboriginal seniors: medical care, nursing and supported living services,” Nawi said. “This approach gives people the opportunity to live with comfort and dignity in familiar surroundings.”

The CIP is cooperating closely with the MOHW, local governments and nonprofit organizations in setting up culture, day care and health centers, as well as providing in-home services like housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation and shopping. It has also launched training programs for caregivers, social workers and volunteers.

Such steps are welcomed by Tung Yuan-chao (童元昭), an associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at National Taiwan University (NTU) and director of the Taipei-based tertiary institution’s Center for Indigenous Studies (CIS). “Considered policymaking is critical in helping the public understand the need for protecting and respecting the rights of aboriginals while paying special attention to related issues,” she said.

Cultural and ethnic diversity is the cornerstone of achieving a genuinely pluralistic society in Taiwan, according to Tung. “Despite their small numbers, indigenous peoples have contributed mightily to shaping the nation’s history and are an integral part of its heritage.”

Over the past decades, Tung said, it is an unfortunate fact that many aboriginals were forced from their lands and prosecuted for engaging in traditional practices like hunting. “The furor surrounding such incidents could be seen as contributing to the rise of discrimination and stereotypes that live on to this day.”

Since launching in 2004, the CIS has sought to give more exposure to contemporary indigenous issues through courses, exhibitions, films, forums, lectures and workshops. This has helped train the spotlight on core issues such as social exclusion, returning artifacts, and land and resources rights.

Yao of the NKNU is on the same page as Tung when it comes to identifying and rectifying the causes of aboriginal marginalization. “It all begins with culturally sensitive quality education backed by appropriate resources,” he said.

The main dividend of this approach for graduates of the Department of Indigenous Art Industry at NKNU is the chance to pursue rewarding cultural and creative industry careers within the aboriginal arts sector. “Empowering our students with relevant and well-aligned education is changing their destiny and giving tribal communities hope for a brighter future,” Yao said.

Write to Kelly Her at kher@mofa.gov.tw