DOCUMENT: TAIWAN2.TXT [Ed. note: Spelling kept as in original] U N I T E D N A T I O N S WORKING GROUP ON INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS 28 of July 1993 morning session "The situations and problems of Taiwan Indigenous People" by Iohani Madam Chair: First of all I bring my greeting from Indigenous in Taiwan to you and to all of the sisters and brothers here. Since Taiwan government was kickt aut from UN by China some years before, our government more and more become the international orphant. The suffer of the Taiwan Indigenous people were not sound among the International society. Actually Indigenous are the real owners of Taiwan. We have been living in this island at least 6000 years. Historically our land and people has been colonised by Picaroon, Dutch, Spanish, Koxinga, Ching Dynasty of China, Japan and nowaday we are controled by KMT government from China. There are some situations and problems the Indigenous people in Taiwan are very concerned about: Politically: The history of Indigenous people denied and neglected by the KMT government and Taiwan society. The government and Taiwan society emphasize that Taiwan only has 400 years of history. Theiy denied Indigenous people habe been living in this island at least 6000 years because the government does not recognize Indigenous people as a native of the island. Most of the Indigenous political leaders are appointed and controlled by KMT government. Our social organisation is completely in disorder. We have very little power to decide our own future. Economically: KMT government has always been proud of their economic development. They are proud to say that Taiwan has over 10.000 U.S. GNP. number 1 surplus in other country. But in Taiwan Indigenous people are still living in the poorest condition. The land of Indigenous people is occupied by government for national parks, nuclear storage and some public constructions. We are poor because we have lost our traditional land. Many Indigenous had to leave their home, went to the city as a chap labour or as prostitutes to survive. Our government just close their eyes, cover their ears and neglect the suffers and problems of the indigenous people. Culturally: KMT government's indigenous policy is assimilation. The government urges Indigenous people to become like the chinese. We are not allowed to teach or to speak indigenous language in the school. We are not allowed to study our own history. Every thing is only in chinese. Now very few people can use their own motherlanguage. Culture and language were lost. On the human right: Our government does not allow the indigenous to use their own name on the ID card and on the passport. We can only use the chinese name. We are called by the government "mountain people". We are not allowed to be called as "indigenous people" or "the native people". We are neglected by government and society. Less voice to speak out and express our feelings and opinions. We ask the UN Working Group of Indigenous Peoples to visit our people in Taiwan. I emphasize again that Taiwan government is not a member of UN. We need more concern. God bless you Indigenous Work committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan Iohani (Bunun) Nabu (Bunun) Lipung (Paiwan) Chen Ching Ta (Tsuo) Lee pao-Hsing (Tayalu) OFFICE: 3 LANE 269 ROOSEVELT RD SEC. 3. 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