Today, October 28, marks the third anniversary of Interpretation No. 17 (2022), issued by the Constitutional Court of the Judicial Yuan. Following its guidance, the Plains Indigenous Peoples Status Act (referred to as “the Act”) was officially enacted by the President on October 23 and has since come into effect. In a statement issued today, the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) conveyed its gratitude to legislators from all parties and highlighted: “With the legal framework for recognizing Plains Indigenous Peoples now established, the CIP will accelerate the process of registering the status for qualified communities and individuals.”

The CIP explained that, under the Act, individuals must go through a two-step process to register as Plains Indigenous Persons: first, recognition of the Plains Indigenous People group—each group must apply to the CIP for ethnic recognition. Then, approval by the Executive Yuan—after review and approval by the CIP’s Ethnic Review Committee, the recognition will be submitted to the Executive Yuan for final confirmation. Only after completing these steps can individuals go to a household registration office to apply for Plains Indigenous Person status.

The CIP further noted that nine groups have already submitted applications: the Siraya, Kaxabu, Pazeh, Taokas, Taivoan, Papora, Makatao, Babuza, and Ketagalan. These applications are at different stages of review. The CIP will soon convene the Siraya Ethnic Review Committee and has asked applicant organizations to provide additional documentation to verify ethnic membership. Once the extra materials are received, a 30-day public notice and comment period will begin, in accordance with the Act. If everything goes smoothly, the review should be completed within two months after the notice period ends, and the case will then be sent to the Executive Yuan for approval.

The CIP emphasized that the enactment of the Act marks a historic milestone in Taiwan’s Indigenous policies. The CIP will proceed in phases to complete ethnic recognition, the registration of ethnic membership lists, and individual status registration. Collaborating closely with the Ministry of the Interior and local governments, the CIP aims to ensure full implementation of the Constitutional Court’s directives on protecting identity recognition and cultural rights.