Indigenous Autonomy Act Not Yet Legislated; Scholars Suggest Forming a Task Force for Pilot Program
As the Indigenous Autonomy Act remains unlegislated, scholars and representatives of the Rukai tribe suggested at a Legislative Yuan hearing to form a task force and prioritize the Rukai tribe for a pilot program, moving away from the traditional autonomous district model and gradually promoting the tribal public legal person system. The Council of Indigenous Peoples stated it will use the results of the 'Tribal Public Legal Person Pilot Program' as a reference for legislation.
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(Central News Agency, reporter Chen Junhua, Taipei, 4th) The "Indigenous Autonomy Act" has not yet been enacted. Scholars stated that the promotion of ethnic autonomy should move beyond idealized, traditional autonomous district models. Some scholars also suggested that the Rukai tribe already has tribal councils, so a task force could be established to prioritize a pilot program. The Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) said it will use the results of the "Tribal Public Legal Person Pilot Program" as a reference for legislation.
The Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee held a "Public Hearing on the Current Status and Improvement of the Implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law," inviting CIP Deputy Minister Du-Zhang Meizhuang, scholars, and experts.
Du Zhengji, Speaker of the Rukai National Council, stated that the CIP has approved pilot tribal autonomy plans for the Rukai, Taroko, and Tao tribes, and will first conduct an autonomy research report. Promoting indigenous autonomy has challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Before the Indigenous Autonomy Act is passed, the Rukai tribe has a complete investigation report. He suggested establishing a task force and prioritizing the Rukai tribe for the pilot program.
Du Zhengji said that before promoting the tribal public legal person pilot program, the different characteristics of each ethnic group must be considered. The Rukai tribe itself has tribal councils, which are an organization. By leveraging its existing tribal organization and energy, promoting the tribal public legal person pilot program would be smoother. He suggested conducting a survey of the attributes of each ethnic group and tribe first to have a basis for promotion.
Former CIP Minister Yohani Isqaqavut stated that indigenous autonomy is an inherent self-management model of indigenous peoples. 400 years ago, before foreign regimes arrived in Taiwan, each ethnic group survived in Taiwan for thousands of years through its own autonomy. "I am truly heartbroken," he said, that someone would suggest letting indigenous peoples 'try out' autonomy, calling it a great insult to Taiwan's indigenous peoples.
Chen Zhang-Peilun, Associate Professor in the Department of Ethnic Development and Social Work at National Dong Hwa University, said that the promotion of ethnic autonomy should move beyond idealized, traditional autonomous district models and seek feasible strategies. He agreed with the concept of ethnic councils, advocating for an autonomy strategy with ethnic councils of each tribe as the hub and tribal public legal persons as the basic unit, allowing tribal members to handle their own affairs.
Chen Zhang-Peilun stated that it would be more pragmatic to promote the ideal autonomous district system after a considerable level of trust has been established between indigenous and Han societies. The powers of ethnic councils and tribal public legal persons should not all fall under the jurisdiction of the CIP. It is best for governments at all levels and various agencies to get used to respecting the will of indigenous peoples. "Autonomy" really requires practice, and it must never become a victim of partisan strife.
Du-Zhang Meizhuang reported that since the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law was promulgated and implemented on February 5, 2005, related supporting legal measures and policies have been gradually established. Currently, only the "Indigenous Autonomy Act" and the "Indigenous Peoples Land and Sea Act" are under deliberation and promotion. The CIP will integrate opinions from all sectors, strengthen inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms, and promote related legislative work.
Regarding the progress of the Indigenous Autonomy Act, Du-Zhang Meizhuang said that considering tribes are the foundation of indigenous autonomous groups, the policy focus has shifted to a public legal person system based on "tribes." The hope is to break through the current situation through a "bottom-up" pilot model, promoting institutional construction step by step. The small-scale, empirical "Tribal Public Legal Person Pilot Program" serves as a pathway for system verification.
Du-Zhang Meizhuang stated that, subsequently, based on the pilot results and recommendations from legal analysis reports, the CIP will draft specific and feasible directions for system adjustment and supporting mechanisms. These will serve as important references for future amendments or legislation of tribal public legal person regulations. The CIP will also communicate and coordinate with tribes and local governments to build social consensus and steadily advance the legalization and institutionalization of the tribal public legal person system. (Editor: Wan Shuzhang) 1150604
The Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee held a "Public Hearing on the Current Status and Improvement of the Implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law," inviting CIP Deputy Minister Du-Zhang Meizhuang, scholars, and experts.
Du Zhengji, Speaker of the Rukai National Council, stated that the CIP has approved pilot tribal autonomy plans for the Rukai, Taroko, and Tao tribes, and will first conduct an autonomy research report. Promoting indigenous autonomy has challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Before the Indigenous Autonomy Act is passed, the Rukai tribe has a complete investigation report. He suggested establishing a task force and prioritizing the Rukai tribe for the pilot program.
Du Zhengji said that before promoting the tribal public legal person pilot program, the different characteristics of each ethnic group must be considered. The Rukai tribe itself has tribal councils, which are an organization. By leveraging its existing tribal organization and energy, promoting the tribal public legal person pilot program would be smoother. He suggested conducting a survey of the attributes of each ethnic group and tribe first to have a basis for promotion.
Former CIP Minister Yohani Isqaqavut stated that indigenous autonomy is an inherent self-management model of indigenous peoples. 400 years ago, before foreign regimes arrived in Taiwan, each ethnic group survived in Taiwan for thousands of years through its own autonomy. "I am truly heartbroken," he said, that someone would suggest letting indigenous peoples 'try out' autonomy, calling it a great insult to Taiwan's indigenous peoples.
Chen Zhang-Peilun, Associate Professor in the Department of Ethnic Development and Social Work at National Dong Hwa University, said that the promotion of ethnic autonomy should move beyond idealized, traditional autonomous district models and seek feasible strategies. He agreed with the concept of ethnic councils, advocating for an autonomy strategy with ethnic councils of each tribe as the hub and tribal public legal persons as the basic unit, allowing tribal members to handle their own affairs.
Chen Zhang-Peilun stated that it would be more pragmatic to promote the ideal autonomous district system after a considerable level of trust has been established between indigenous and Han societies. The powers of ethnic councils and tribal public legal persons should not all fall under the jurisdiction of the CIP. It is best for governments at all levels and various agencies to get used to respecting the will of indigenous peoples. "Autonomy" really requires practice, and it must never become a victim of partisan strife.
Du-Zhang Meizhuang reported that since the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law was promulgated and implemented on February 5, 2005, related supporting legal measures and policies have been gradually established. Currently, only the "Indigenous Autonomy Act" and the "Indigenous Peoples Land and Sea Act" are under deliberation and promotion. The CIP will integrate opinions from all sectors, strengthen inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms, and promote related legislative work.
Regarding the progress of the Indigenous Autonomy Act, Du-Zhang Meizhuang said that considering tribes are the foundation of indigenous autonomous groups, the policy focus has shifted to a public legal person system based on "tribes." The hope is to break through the current situation through a "bottom-up" pilot model, promoting institutional construction step by step. The small-scale, empirical "Tribal Public Legal Person Pilot Program" serves as a pathway for system verification.
Du-Zhang Meizhuang stated that, subsequently, based on the pilot results and recommendations from legal analysis reports, the CIP will draft specific and feasible directions for system adjustment and supporting mechanisms. These will serve as important references for future amendments or legislation of tribal public legal person regulations. The CIP will also communicate and coordinate with tribes and local governments to build social consensus and steadily advance the legalization and institutionalization of the tribal public legal person system. (Editor: Wan Shuzhang) 1150604
FAQ
What is a Tribal Public Legal Person?
It is a system that recognizes an indigenous tribe in Taiwan as a public legal entity, serving as a foundation for self-governance.
Why has the Indigenous Autonomy Act not been passed?
The article does not specify the exact reasons, but it is likely due to disagreements among stakeholders and the complexity of the institutional design.
What are the characteristics of the Rukai tribe?
The Rukai tribe already has an existing tribal council organization, which is expected to make its transition to the tribal public legal person system smoother compared to other groups.