At the second meeting of the Executive Yuan's Indigenous Peoples Basic Law promotion committee, Premier Sean Chen today said the government will continue promoting the draft bill for the Aboriginal Autonomy Act to protect the interests of indigenous peoples.
Concerning parts of the bill specifying the scope of autonomy and financial resources for autonomous zones, the premier said these ideas should be articulated in a white paper before being drafted to help the bill's chances of being passed.
Regarding the shortage of aboriginal schoolteachers, Premier Chen asked the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) to work out a plan with the Ministry of Education to alleviate the problem because the teachers are critical in efforts to preserve the identity and culture of indigenous peoples.
Tribal schools also play an important role in passing on aboriginal heritage, said the premier, adding that the government has already formed specific strategies for promoting the schools. He suggested that an article be added to the Education Act for Indigenous Peoples to ensure tribal school diplomas are in compliance with the regulations of the Compulsory Education Act and therefore legally based.
The CIP stated that the promotion committee was established for the purpose of reviewing and coordinating matters related to the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law. These matters include autonomy rights, education and culture, health and welfare, employment rights, economic development, natural resources and traditional territories.
Today's meeting reviewed progress on plans made at the committee's first meeting, results from implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law over the past six years, and changes to the committee's operating procedures to ensure the committee meets on a regular basis.
For the meeting, the Executive Yuan invited 23 indigenous representatives and five academics, including former Legislator Yang Jen-fu and Professor Kao Teh-i.