Written by Sra (Bo-Jun Chen).
Image credit by the author.
Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples are becoming increasingly concerned with various global issues that are also highly pertinent to our own situation in Taiwan, such as environmental, human rights, and cultural heritage issues. In recent years, for instance, Indigenous youth in Taiwan have realised the significance of language and identity revitalisation, which may assist us in combating oppression. Moreover, we have found that the insensitivity of our lands and ignorance of our history pose a far greater threat to us than the plundering of our resources and hazards to our lives. Some Indigenous youth are thus committed to overcoming obstacles influenced by colonialism and strive to bring our voices and agendas to the global stage. Through our participation on the international stage, we aspire to be heard and have more conversations about similar difficulties.
However, we cannot disregard the difficulties we confront in international Indigenous affairs participation. In particular, there are political barriers to participation in UN affairs. For example, Taiwan is not officially a member of the United Nations, so we cannot directly participate in UN activities and meetings. In this regard, non-governmental organisations and Indigenous youth groups must adhere to specific procedures and regulations before participating in UN-related activities. This makes it challenging for Indigenous youth to have a voice on the international stage, as our voices are often ignored or excluded.
In addition to political barriers, we also face language barriers and cultural differences. For example, although Taiwan’s Indigenous youth are aware of our own culture and values, we must communicate in English or other foreign languages in the international arena, making it difficult to interpret our cultures in different languages. Furthermore, United Nations meetings and documents are often based on Western culture, ignoring cultural differences and diversity, making it difficult for us Indigenous youth to express our cultures and values when participating in United Nations affairs. Nevertheless, we continue to work tirelessly to tell our stories and connect them with those of other Indigenous communities worldwide.
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as a Platform
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), at its 34th meeting on May 7, 1982, established the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP), an organisation through which Indigenous peoples from around the world advocate recognition of the Indigenous way of life and traditional culture. Each year, nearly 2,000 to 3,000 young people worldwide participate in discussions and provide expert advice and recommendations on Indigenous issues to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and through ECOSOC’s communications to United Nations programs, funds, and agencies for decision-making purposes. The theme of this year’s Permanent Forum, “Indigenous Peoples, Human Health, Earth and Territorial Health, and Climate Change: A Rights-Based Approach,” echoes the current efforts of Indigenous communities to promote the preservation of social, cultural assets and food cultures. Nevertheless, Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations and can only participate in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues through its involvement in other international NGOs.
This is the first year since the Covid-19 pandemic that Taiwan’s Indigenous youth have formed a delegation and continued our participation in the Permanent Forum. In addition, we organised a side event under the Permanent Forum in cooperation with the Habitat Pro Association, a non-profit organisation in Lima, Peru, at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York. The theme of the event was “From Rights to Relationships: Indigenous Worldviews Towards Creation and Community Survival.”
Presenters discussed Indigenous issues and experiences on the ground, including Indigenous historical justice and cultural heritages, preservation and promotion of Indigenous culinary cultures, language revitalisation, and environmental sustainability, from practitioners’ perspectives. In addition, a documentary film director was invited to present a documentary film, “Mutralun––Wisdom of the Mountain.”
Sharing Our Stories with the Global Community
We connected Taiwan’s Indigenous culinary cultures and the slow food movement to the international Slow Food Indigenous campaign, which has been dedicated to preserving, developing, and promoting Indigenous food cultures since 2011. Kung-Lien Xu, one of the Asia Pacific youth representatives of Slow Food Indigenous, shared some of the ideas and initiatives advocated in Taiwan now. For instance, everyone should have equal access to quality, delicious, and seasonal food. In addition, we have to consume and eat with consideration for the environment. People also advocate for equality and diversity for all stakeholders, from farm to fork.
Indigenous people founded the Slow Food Cooks Alliance in Taiwan to promote traditional cuisine and dining habits. They shared stories, and the practices on the ground, emphasising that traditional knowledge is not simply used in words but must also be put into action. Their sharing demonstrates how Indigenous people in Taiwan seek to preserve Indigenous culinary cultures, promote them to the public, increase appreciation for the cultures, and prevent them from being overwhelmed by the contemporary fast food trend.
I also shared my work regarding Indigenous historical justice and cultural heritage during the event with attendees. As an Indigenous youth from Shoufeng, Hualien County, Taiwan, I have devoted myself to reviving the Cikasuan culture in my community, which was devastated during the Cikasuan incident of 1908. The Cikasuan battle occurred between 1908 and 1912 when Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule. During that time, there were wage disputes and armed clashes between the Japanese army and the Cikasuan people, in which both sides suffered. In the end, the Japanese exterminated the entire Cikasuan tribe.
The battle of Cikasuan occurred 114 years ago, and as future generations cease telling this history, they may eventually forget it in our blood. In Taiwan’s past education, the history of the battle is only mentioned in a few lines. Therefore, it is essential to present this history in its totality, including its accuracy and injustice, as well as the oral histories of our ancestors, so that it can be registered as a significant national cultural heritage offering opportunities to reflect and comprehend the country’s histories. In this respect, passing on memories and histories does not solely contribute to Indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage. Instead, it could help us better comprehend Taiwan’s diverse cultures. This case indicates the importance of preserving the Indigenous cultural heritage, as it could assist Taiwan in promoting cultural pluralism and facilitating intercultural conversations and integration.
In the past, the Taiwanese participants in the Forum were mainly scholars, but it has been discovered that many Indigenous youth representatives from other countries are local practitioners. In addition, Taiwan has numerous grassroots organisations that have been actively working on Indigenous affairs with the government. However, only a few of us have had the opportunity to engage with the international community and learn about their endeavours in their own countries. Therefore, international participation becomes crucial for local practitioners as it allows us to explore whether other Indigenous peoples face similar challenges and are working towards similar goals. By doing so, we can gain valuable experiences to bring back to Taiwan, promoting and implementing them effectively. This valuable lesson was learned from our participation in this year’s Forum.
Empowering Indigenous Youth: Taiwan’s Path to International Indigenous Engagement
In recent years, Taiwan’s Indigenous youth have collaborated with the government to accomplish a number of noteworthy projects in our own communities, including works of historical and transitional justice that could serve as the foundation for decolonisation. Compared to many other countries, the Taiwanese experience is unique and should be promoted to the international community.
The government should do more since the international participation of Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples confronts numerous external and internal dilemmas. If the Taiwanese government could become an official member of the United Nations, our Indigenous youth could partake in UN activities and meetings directly. Moreover, the government could support Indigenous youth to participate in international activities, allowing us to strengthen our connection to Indigenous global networks. Within our society, the government should continue education reforms to strengthen the transmission of Indigenous languages and cultures, as well as a more holistic historical perspective, so that Indigenous youth in Taiwan can express our cultures and values with greater confidence.
Of course, Indigenous youth needs to enhance their capacity to engage in international Indigenous affairs. This objective can be achieved by actively participating in relevant training programs and acquiring language skills to broaden our international perspective and capabilities. Furthermore, by establishing connections with international organisations and groups, Indigenous youth can engage in international exchanges and collaborative efforts. Going forward, we aim to foster ongoing international networking and encourage youth to become local practitioners, effectively translating our knowledge and stories into tangible actions. Additionally, we aspire to collaborate with the government to ensure continued participation in United Nations discussions on Indigenous peoples’ affairs. By doing so, Indigenous youth in Taiwan can emerge as the next generation of global ambassadors, promoting Taiwan’s visibility through increased interactions and exchanges with the international community.
Sra (Bo-Jun Chen) is widely involved in a variety of Indigenous affairs in Taiwan. He has made significant contributions to community development in his roles as Executive Director of the Taiwan Association for International Exchange of Voluntary Services for Indigenous Peoples, Director of the Hualien County Indigenous People’s Association for the Promotion of Public Affairs, and Community Director of the Hualien County Shoufeng Township Shounong Community Development Association. His participation in the Cikasuan Forum and the cultural heritage application of the Cikasuan Ancient Battlefield Historic Site further reflects his commitment to Indigenous affairs.
This article was published as part of a special issue on Indigenous storytelling in Taiwan.
Taiwan Insight 