The Truku tribe established an autonomy preparatory office Jan. 13 to facilitate the passage of two bills that could soon make the Truku the first self-autonomous tribe in Taiwan.
The Legislature has already passed the first reading of the Indigenous People’s Self-Government Act and is expected to pass the third and final reading of the bill this June, according to Teyra Yudaw, chairman of the preparatory office.
“Once the People’s Self-Government Act becomes law, passage of the Truku Self-government Act should be pretty straightforward,” Yudaw said. “And after the Truku Self-government Act is passed, we will become the first aboriginal autonomous tribe in Taiwan.”
Yudaw pointed out that indigenous autonomy is a universal value and an important step on the road to self-governance for Taiwan’s aboriginal population.
“The indigenous peoples of Taiwan currently live under a political structure based on Han Chinese culture and capitalism, which is not what Truku values are about,” Yudaw said. “Only autonomy can free us from the shackles of this structure.”
The preparatory office will function as a platform to facilitate communications and negotiations among the tribe, the Cabinet and the Legislative Yuan, he added.
The Truku, noted for their hunting skills, have a population of around 25,850. Their homeland, located in the southeastern part of Taiwan, stretches from Taroko Gorge in Hualien Country to the mountainous western borderlands of Nantou County. (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw