The ROC government will continue efforts to promote the status of indigenous peoples in Taiwan society and preserve their culture, ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said Aug. 1 at a nationwide aboriginal administrative meeting in Taipei City.
“Aboriginals are the oldest residents of Taiwan, and their importance cannot be overlooked,” Ma said, adding that there are 490,000 indigenous people in Taiwan, accounting for 2 percent of the nation’s total population.
“The loss of aboriginal languages, from more than 40 in the early days to around 20 today, makes conserving their languages and cultures a priority,” he stressed.
According to the president, the government’s indigenous policy follows the principles of respecting aboriginal languages, cultures and customs, as well as pushing for indigenous autonomy and self-development.
“Aboriginals are encouraged to participate and express their opinions in any development process,” Ma said, adding that the government will also work to improve living conditions, employment and educational opportunities for indigenous peoples.
Ma said the government has invested a total of NT$54.1 billion (US$1.9 billion) from 2009 to 2012 to enhance infrastructure in aboriginal communities, creating 32,000 jobs.
“The unemployment rate for aboriginals in the first quarter this year stood at 5.28 percent,” Ma said. “Though this figure is 0.8 percent higher than the nationwide jobless rate, it has come down significantly from the 1.32-percent difference registered in the same period in 2010.”
Ma pointed out that the government is working on a six-year plan offering indigenous culture courses to middle school students over winter breaks and summer vacations starting next July.
“The aim is to pass on aboriginal culture,” Ma stressed. “All students are encouraged to take part to improve cross-cultural understanding.”
The courses will cover festivals and traditional customs, with tribal elders as teachers, the Council of Indigenous Peoples said.
There are 14 officially recognized indigenous groups in Taiwan, with the Amis, Atayal and Paiwan accounting for 70 percent of the total aboriginal population.
