Today (Dec. 10) is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of Indigenous People (CIP). The event was held in the International Convention Center of the Executive Yuan’s Xinzuang Joint Office Tower, with both President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Su Tseng-chang attending and giving remarks.The event also saw former chairmen of the CIP Tjaravak Kadrangian and Walis Pering in attendance. At the event, the CIP showcased the notable achievements of the organization in the past 25 years, and looked forward to the continued implementation of the rights of indigenous peoples in the future.

CIP Minister Icyang reminisced that on June 6, 1991, he led a protest demanding that the government set up a dedicated ministry-level agency for indigenous peoples. However, he was later sentenced to one year in prison for violating the Assembly and Parade Act. Though he had lost his personal freedom at the time, when he learned in prison that the Executive Yuan Council of Indigenous Peoples had been established, his heart filled with immense relief and joy.

    Minister Icyang expressed that the Council of Indigenous Peoples established on Dec. 12, 1996 was not only a new agency at the time, but rather signified a new beginning for the development of legal policies for indigenous peoples. In addition to the fact that there was a dedicated ministry-level body in place that could take a more systematic and comprehensive approach to enacting policies for indigenous peoples; more importantly, the CIP would be headed by indigenous peoples themselves and would be inclusive of all indigenous peoples. As a result, the body has a higher degree of authority over issues concerning indigenous peoples such as political participation, cultural education, social welfare, economic development, infrastructure, land rights, etc.    

    Premier Su Tseng-chang expressed that despite being the true owners of Taiwanese land, the indigenous people lost their land and rights due to the takeover of multiple foreign governments. The establishment of the CIP as a dedicated ministry-level body for indigenous peoples did not happen by chance, he said; but was rather a result of the hard work and determination of the indigenous peoples’ predecessors, who kept their rightful dignity as true owners of their land. The Premier also congratulated the CIP on matters of the organization’s gradual expansion, amending of laws, and policy promotion—made possible by the efforts of council members, the leadership of the former chairmen, and the mutual support given by all sectors of society. He hoped that the CIP will continue to strive to make Taiwan a more beautiful country. 

    President Tsai Ing-wen remarked that she believes that true reconciliation can only be achieved by clarifying the truth. Thus, upon taking office, she apologized to the indigenous peoples on behalf of the government, and has since led the government in formulating solutions for long-standing issues. Related policies that have enacted include continuing to promote historical justice and transitional justice for indigenous peoples, classifying indigenous languages as national languages, and expanding the education on indigenous peoples to all citizens, with aim to help the Taiwanese can better understand the lifestyles and traditional cultures of indigenous peoples and fulfill the vision of mainstreaming indigenous culture. President Tsai also laid down three expectations for the CIP for the next 25 years to come: First, the CIP should continue to spearhead the mission of “mainstreaming indigenous culture”, and should also demonstrate ethnic sensitivity, so as to fulfill the expectations of indigenous peoples; Second, the CIP should continue to train civil servants that are professional, visionary, and equipped with cultural skills; Third, the CIP should continue to stand for indigenous people, to speak up for them, and to serve them in order to accentuate indigenous identity.

    The CIP also held a forum the previous day (Dec. 9) that looked back at the factors that catalyzed the birth of the agency, including “Protests Outside the System” and “The Vital Few Behind the February Political Reform.” Also present were those who participated in the “606 United” indigenous rights protest, and indigenous legislators who served during the February Political Reform, who shared their experiences and looked back at the long road the CIP took before its eventual establishment.    

In addition, the Council presented professional medals to colleagues in the CIP who have served for more than 20 years to thank them for their contributions to indigenous peoples policy; presented on the organization’s achievements over the past 25 years; and looked back on the indigenous bills that were passed after establishment, including important laws such as The Education Act for Indigenous Peoples, The Status Act for Indigenous Peoples, The Indigenous Peoples Employment Rights Protection Act, The Indigenous Peoples Basic Law, The Protection Act for the Traditional Intellectual Creations of Indigenous Peoples, The Logging Ban Compensation for Lands Reserved for Indigenous Peoples Act, and The Indigenous Languages Development Act. In particular—with President Tsai’s apology on behalf of the government serving as a catalyst, important strides have been made in regards to indigenous peoples policy over the last five years, including classifying indigenous languages as national languages, professionalizing indigenous language teachers, directly giving the indigenous peoples the rights to the lands reserved for them, educating the entire population on indigenous history and multiculturalism, incorporating the historical point of view of indigenous peoples into the national curriculum, implementing the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) method for use of indigenous land, retroactively compensating Lanyu islanders NT$2.55 billion for storing nuclear waste on their island, and reactivating the Austronesian Forum.    

Minister Icyang remarked that, looking back at the achievements accomplished by the CIP over the past 25 years, the well-being of indigenous peoples is now more fully-ensured. He hopes that indigenous policies can continue to move forward steadily, and that the development of indigenous communities can continue to be strengthened, so as to demonstrate the value and vitality of Taiwan's ethnic groups.