Premier Su announces government policies to resolve indigenous tribes' land issues

Premier Su Tseng-chang on Tuesday boarded the new Taroko-class tilting train operated by the Taiwan Railway Administration on its Eastern Line, running to Hualian. He then headed to Chian Township, where he visited the Ami Cultural Museum. The premier announced that the Council of Indigenous Peoples will appropriate funds over the next two years to buy back land from Taiwan Sugar that originally belonged to indigenous tribes. Su also said that up to 2011, as long as indigenous tribes offer proof to the Council of Indigenous Peoples that they once lived on certain lands, the council will act on behalf of the tribes and seek to resolve any land disputes.

At the museum, Su greeted members of the Ami tribe and the Sakizaya tribe in their own tribal languages. The premier said that he was delighted to attend a meeting of the Executive Yuan to mark the formal recognition of the Sakizaya people as Taiwan's 13th indigenous tribe last week. The official recognition of the tribe was made possible given the signature by President Chen Shui-bian and the Council of Indigenous Peoples to "A New Partnership Between the Indigenous Peoples and the Government of Taiwan." In the past during the Japanese colonial era, indigenous tribes were randomly named or grouped together with other tribes. In addition, both the Japanese and Qing governments sought to wipe out indigenous peoples. During those eras, the Sakizaya people had been grouped together with the Ami people.

Su said he is delighted that after being incorrectly grouped with others for 129 years, the Sakizaya tribe has officially become Taiwan's 13th indigenous tribe. He also praised the Ami tribe for embracing and helping the Sakizaya tribe over the decades, adding that this shows the bonds and friendship among indigenous tribes. He expressed his congratulations to the Sakizaya tribe and his gratitude to the Amis.

The premier said that he brought with him two pieces of good news for indigenous people. The first is that the Executive Yuan is doing all it can to resolve the land situation for indigenous tribes. He said that during the Japanese colonial era, many lands that indigenous peoples lived on were appropriated by Taiwan Sugar Co., adding that the issues surrounding these lands have never been resolved. The premier announced that the government has decided to have the Council for Indigenous Peoples set aside budgets over the next two years to buy land back from Taiwan Sugar. Upon the acquisition of this land, the land will be provided to indigenous tribes for their use. The premier said that the budget over the next two years will be set at NT$190 million. He said that NT$100 million of the total amount is currently in the screening process in the Legislative Yuan. He urged the Legislature to hold a special session as soon as possible to review and pass the budgetary bill to acquire the land. He also asked legislators from Hualian who were present at the proceedings on Wednesday to also do their utmost to get the budget approved.

Su said that the second piece of good news is that the government will provide more time for indigenous tribes to make appeals for land that they believe belongs to them. In 1988, the last time that land use registration was held for aboriginal land, much land was not registered. This is an issue that has long disturbed indigenous tribes, which have continued to petition the Executive Yuan over the years to amend the situation. Su said the Executive Yuan has agreed to address the situation. He said that much of the land that was left out of the previous survey has been land used by indigenous tribes for decades or had been designated as public land that had been occupied. In some cases, court cases had been filed to sort out the situation.

The premier said that the Council for Indigenous Peoples will now focus on the land that previously had been left out. Indigenous tribes will have up to 2011 to provide proof that they originally lived on or used that land. Su charged the Council for Indigenous Peoples with providing assistance to members of indigenous tribes throughout Taiwan to address and resolve the land issues as soon as possible. He added that the council should also look into the existing land disputes that are currently being processed in the courts. He said that it would be best to find out of court settlements for these issues and to avoid similar suits in the future.

Su stressed that after President Chen signed "A New Partnership Between the Indigenous Peoples and the Government of Taiwan" the government is committed to carrying out what is required of it. He said that while the government is working hard, the agreement still needs the support of everyone in order to make Taiwan a better place.

Lastly, Su accepted inscription boards presented to him by the chiefs of the Sakizaya and Ami tribes, and also stood in pictures with people on hand for the event.