President Tsai Ing-wen is to issue a historic apology to Taiwan’s indigenous people groups on behalf of the Republic of China government. The apology will represent the fulfillment of a campaign pledge and will take place on Monday, as August 1 is Aboriginal Day in Taiwan.
On Monday morning, Tsai will apologize in her capacity as president for the unjust treatment Taiwan’s indigenous peoples have undergone under different regimes and their marginalization by the majority Han population. A ceremony in the morning will include an admission of wrong, a promise of transparency, a message of reconciliation and concrete measures for restitution. The ceremony will also feature a response from the indigenous community. The afternoon will see Tsai preside over the first meeting of a new committee to address issues of transitional justice for indigenous peoples.
On Saturday, hundreds of indigenous activists marched in Taipei to demand that the expected apology be more than merely a symbolic gesture. The activists are calling for specific legislation that will ensure the autonomy and rights of indigenous people groups regarding their lands and way of life, including the contentious issue of traditional hunting practices.
Indigenous peoples make up around 530,000 of Taiwan’s population of 23 million. There are 16 tribes recognized by the government, with some other groups still fighting for official recognition.