The History - ATAYAL - The worldwide voice of the aboriginal tribes of Taiwan

Aboriginal Milestones By Era

Aboriginal Milestones 1951 A.D. - Present

1951 40th year of the Republic of China The Provisional Provincial Assembly increases its reserved seat list to three. Two aborigines are elected. The Mountain Area Administrative Guidance Office of the Department of Civil Affairs is reduced in size and redesignate the Fifth Division. Under it are three offices responsible for general affairs. The Department of Mountain Area Affairs and branch police stations are eliminated (county police stations establish mountain area police affairs sections (offices).

1962 51st year of the Republic of China Following administrative reorganization, the mountain area offices of Taipei, Ilan, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung are changed to mountain area sections under the civil affairs bureaus. However, the mountain townships in Pingtung, Taitung, and Hualien counties are left unchanged. Unlike lowland township offices, mountain township offices are allowed to establish cultural sections.

1968 57th year of the Republic of China April 21, One lowland aborigine is elected in the fourth provincial assembly election. The provincial assembly now contains two lowland and two mountain aboriginal representatives. September, Chiayang village in Hoping township, Taichung county, is relocated to a higher location five kilometers away.

1969 58th year of the Republic of China The Taiwan Department of Agriculture and Forestry establishes settled-farming agricultural model villages in 29 townships throughout Taiwan, organizes 330 guidance teams, offers 488 agricultural research classes, conducts 515 lectures, trains 17,000 persons, and performs 1,000 field demonstrations.

1970 59th year of the Republic of China Yang Chuan-kuang receives a silver medal in the decathlon at the Rome Olympics. Yang is a member of the Malan Ami tribe from Taitung county. Yu Hung-kai participates in the World Little League Championship in the United States with the Taichung Golden Dragons. The team wins the world little league championship and Yu is honored with the nickname of the "Rich General."

1978 67th year of the Republic of China June 17, The 11th borough chief and town and township chief elections are held. June 21, A survey taken by the Academia Sinica Institute of Ethnology shows that the average annual income of each Taiya household living in Huanshan village of Hoping township, Taichung county, is NT$482,099. This income is higher than the average household income in Taiwan of NT$101,339 and the average household income in Taipei city of NT$167,079. (Note: this village represents a very special case.)

1980 69th year of the Republic of China May 17, the Mountain Area Development Commission issues an aquaculture development plan for Taiwan. The many rocks and reefs along the coast near Hualien and Taitung make this area very suitable for the cultivation of abalones and chiukung. Afterwards it is found that members of the Ami tribe engage in "illegal fishing" and "destruction of the environment." June 29, the government invests more than NT$132.4 billion in grassroots economic development.

1981 70th year of the Republic of China October 4, very promising geothermal energy sources are found in eastern Taiwan in the vicinity of Chinlun and Taimali. To accelerate the development of Lanyu, the Taiwan province draws up a three-year plan and allocates NT$119 million. This plan encompasses the development of transportation and education, the improvement of working skills and the environment, and the strengthening of national security. November 14, the ninth mayor and county chief elections and the seventh provincial assembly elections are held. The lowland aborigines Chuang Chin-sheng from northern Taiwan and Lin Chung-hsin from southern Taiwan, and the highland aborigines Chen Hsueh-yi and Li Wen-lai are elected to the assembly. December 1, the Kuomintang Central Committee approves Hua Chia-chih as a commissioner of the Taiwan Provincial Council.

1982 71st year of the Republic of China January 1, the taxation of mountain-dwelling aborigines begins. January 16, the tenth county (city) council and town/township chief elections are held. December 25, the Taitung county committee of the China Youth Corps holds the first Beinan united harvest festival at Nanwang elementary school in Taitung.

1983 72nd year of the Republic of China December 3, the lowland aborigine Yang Chuan-kuang and highland aborigine Hua Ai are elected in the supplementary Legislative Yuan election.

1984 73rd year of the Republic of China March 9, the Taiwan provincial government provides business start-up loans to more than 6,000 aboriginal households. Loans totalling more than NT$305 million had been given out by the end of previous year. March 20, the Taiwan Mountain Land Development Commission selects the first batch of ten outstanding aboriginal youths. The youths chosen are Lin Tien-sheng, Lin Chi-pao, Kao Yueh-mei, Chen Chin-wen, Lin Yueh-hsiang, Ko Li-mei, Wen Mei-kui, Zheng Chin-sheng. Kao Yuan-chang, and Chien Tung-ming. June 6, the President appoints Hua Chia-chih as commissioner of the Taiwan Provincial Council. Hua Chia-chih is a Paiwan aborigine from Pingtung county. He was born in 1936, was a graduate of National Taiwan Normal University, and had served as a representative to the Taiwan provincial assembly. June 17, Ku Chin-shui's decathlon performance is good enough to qualify for the final round at the Olympic Games. June 27, The Taiwan provincial government decides to invest NT$478 million in 1985 for the purpose of improving the lives and raising the income of the residents of remote areas, and shrinking the economic gap between remote areas and more prosperous regions. December 5, an explosion occurs in the Haishan 1 coal mine in Sanhsia, Taipei county, causing rockfalls. Approximately one-half of the 94 men trapped in the mine are aborigines. This accident induces a high level of concern among the people of Taiwan.

1985 74th year of the Republic of China June 17, Ku Chin-shui is awarded second place at the track and field competitions held in Italy.

1986 75th year of the Republic of China February 1, mayor, county chief, and town/township chief elections are held. May 3, the Taiwan Department of Education decides to establish a Lanyu branch of the Tungkang Aquacultural Vocational High School during the 1986 academic year. This school will provide publicly-funded education to graduates of the Lanyu middle school. July 27, the "Nine Tribes Aboriginal Village and Shuishalien Gardens" opens. September 7, classes begin at the Lanyu branch of the Tungkang Aquacultural Vocational High School. November 9, a united harvest festival is held by eight mountain townships in Pingtung county. December 2, the Taiwan provincial government decides to select model aboriginal citizens in the categories of love of work, innovation, filial piety, good deeds, and artistic talent. Commendations are to be given at the town/township, county/city, and provincial levels. December 6, the 1986 Taiwan area supplementary National Assembly and Legislative Yuan elections are held. Highland aborigine Ho Yao-huan and lowland aborigine Yang Jen-huang are elected to the National Assembly. Highland aborigine Lin Tien-sheng and lowland aborigine Tsai Chung-han are elected to the Legislative Yuan.

1987 76th year of the Republic of China
April 12, the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs' six-year plan for improving the lives of people living in remote and mountainous areas is extended for another year and funding of NT$558 million is allocated for the purpose of carrying out 13 main tasks. Among these tasks is the project "providing incentives to the aborigines for planting and tending forests on 6,772 hectares of land, replanting forests on 867 hectares, and providing guidance on the cultivation of mushrooms." April 17, the first conference of the 14th session of the Taiwan Mountain Area Development Commission declares its gratitude to the government for many years of concern for the aboriginal population. May 5, the Ministry of the Interior decides to establish a Mountain Area Administrative Division within the Civil Affairs Department. The new division is exclusively responsible for administrative matters in mountain areas. May 7, the Taiwan Department of Social Affairs announces "The province has stepped up employment counselling measures for aborigines. From September 1, 1984 to the end of 1986, a total of 8,826 persons received employment counselling and 5,330 received occupational training." May 11, a conference of bureau chiefs from the Taiwan Provincial Government approves the scrapping of entry controls at 21 mountain areas throughout Taiwan in order to promote forest recreation. The areas consist of Tunghou and Neidung in Taipei county; Taipingshan and Tsuifeng lake in Ilan county; Kuanwu in Hsinchu county; Hushan in Miaoli county; Pahsienshan and Tahsuehshan in Taichung county; Aowan, Tajenlun, Wanghsiang, Kuankao, and Shihchengku in Nantou county; Mienyueh in Chiayi county; Tienchih, Paolai, Taoyuan, Chiahsien, and Tengchih in Kaohsiung county; Hsiangyangshan in Taitung county; and Nanan in Hualien county. May 13, in order to alleviate the problem of the high prices of everyday necessities in mountain areas, the Taiwan provincial government selects the public offices in Fuhsing township (Taoyuan county), Hoping township (Taichung county), Jenai township (Nantou county), Hsinyi township (Nantou county), and Wufeng township (Chiayi county) for a 1988 trial program in conjunction with the local agricultural association in which everyday items are to be sold for reasonable prices . May 27, five measures are taken to promote local autonomy, boost the local economy, and strengthen local self-sufficiency. The fourth of these is "Providing guidance on determining industries that have economic potential and are suitable for mountain areas." June 10, four measures are adopted to strengthen the counselling role of churches in mountain areas, more fully realize the social function of religion, and improve the living habits of the aborigines. There are a total of 940 churches and 146,340 believers in the 30 mountain townships in Taiwan province and the 25 townships/towns/cities in which aborigines live. The provincial government decides to step up efforts in the four areas below:

1. It is hoped that religion will help purify the hearts of aborigines and discourage the harmful customs of drunkenness and early marriage.
2. Good communication will be maintained with priests/ministers and counselling provided on how to establish a sound church organization.
3. Churches will be encouraged to relieve aboriginal problems by engaging in more charitable and public interest activities.

June 21, the Taiwan Bureau of Mountain Area Agriculture and Animal Husbandry adopts six measures to boost agricultural development in mountain areas. June 23, the Legislative Yuan passes the National Security Law for the Period of Mobilization for the Suppression of Rebellion. Article 5 states: "To insure coastal defense and the security of military installations, and to maintain public order in mountain areas, the Ministry of National Defense may, in conjunction with the Ministry of the Interior, designate coastal or mountain areas, or the areas in which important military installations are located, as controlled areas, and publicly announce these areas."

1988 77th year of the Republic of China January 4, the Taiwan provincial government decides to continue the implementation of nine major grass-roots development projects in 1989, and provide NT$11.6 billion in funding. The fourth project is the "Mountain Area Development Project, including (1) increased public construction in mountain areas, (2) counselling concerning the development of mountain industries, and (3) strengthened counselling activities aimed at aborigines." January 27, the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs resolves to step up measures to help aborigines living in urban areas. The "Plan to Improve the Living Conditions of Aborigines Living in Urban Areas" is gradually put into effect at the end of the year. The chief measures under this plan include (1) the establishment of an Association for the Betterment of Aboriginal Living Conditions, (2) education on managing a household, (3) the establishment of lifestyle counselling resources, (4) schoolwork counselling for aboriginal children, (5) home buying counselling for aborigines, (6) occupational training and employment counselling, and (7) the establishment of aborigine counselling centers in cities and counties. March 11, the Taiwan Forestry Bureau announces a four year development plan to accelerate the creation of forest recreation areas. Seven forest recreation areas at Taipingshan, Manyuehyuan, Fuhsing, Tahsuehshan, Aowanta, Pahsienshan, and Shuangliu are to be developed between 1989 and 1992 in order to provide citizens with more recreational options. March 20, the 1988 Spring National United Ancestral Ceremony is held at the National Chiayi Institute of Agriculture. The flags of the various aboriginal tribes are flown. March 21, the Taiwan Provincial Council passes the "Four-Year First Stage Plan for the Social Development of Aborigines in Taiwan." In order to improve the quality of life and ability to make a living of the high mountain aborigines, beginning in 1989 NT$2 billion is to be allocated each year for the purpose of strengthening counselling for aborigines on political, social, educational, cultural, and economic matters. May 14, the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs announces that 7,869 aborigines have received business start-up loans totalling NT$502,270,000 since the program began in 1976. There are currently more than 1,100 households with outstanding loans totalling NT$109,980,000. May 27, the Taiwan province passes the 12-year "Plan for the Social Development of Aborigines in Taiwan" and its "Four-Year First-Stage Implementation Plan Outline." This measure is to be carried out beginning in 1989. The program as a whole is divided into three stages of four years each. The central and provincial governments are each to provide one-half of the NT$2 billion in annual funding. The program's ten objectives are to protect aboriginal culture, encourage participation in government, improve education, foster the development of talented individuals, improve living conditions, make rational use of resources, carry out grass-roots public construction, improve health care and sanitation, strengthen police capability, and expand sources of funding. June 3, the Taiwan provincial government conference of bureau heads draws up nine targets for improving the people's health and improving grass-roots medical care. The ninth item consists of improving facilities at hospitals and public health offices on outlying islands and in mountain areas, and strengthening their disease prevention function. June 19, the Taiwan Department of Education announces that, in order to promote widespread familiarity with traditional arts and crafts, beginning on July 1 it wall accept applications to hold seminars on traditional arts and crafts, and will provide funding for approved seminars. Among the various types of traditional arts and crafts, sculpture, embroidery, and dance have a close connection with aboriginal culture. June 28, the Mountain Area Administrative Conference of Taiwan province is held at Chunghsing Hsintsun. Provincial Chairman Chiu Chuang-huan proposes three basic principles and five key points. It is resolved to make the maximum possible effort to fully carry out the "Plan for the Social Development of Aborigines in Taiwan." July 1, the first "Aboriginal Youth Activity and Youth Welfare Service Center" is opened in the foothills of Mt. Liyu in Taitung county. July 21, the Taiwan Provincial Council passes a proposal to adjust the regional rating of civil servants and school teachers and employees throughout Taiwan province. Beginning this fiscal year, the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs will step up public construction in mountain areas for three years, and will build more mountain roads and drainage systems. August 12, the Executive Yuan Council of Agriculture approves the listing of Chimei village in Juisui township, Hualien county, as an already-developed aboriginal community after investing NT$25 million over the course of three years. August 21, Paiwan aborigines of Taiwu township in Pingtung county hold a five-year joint harvest festival. Taiwan Provincial Chairman Chiu Chuang-huan attends, and Executive Yuan Premier Yu Kuo-hua makes a gift of NT$1 million to assist the modernization of Taiwu township.

1989 78th year of the Republic of China January, the Kuomintang Central Committee decides to adjust legislative electoral districts. One electoral district is established for each of the 21 cities and counties in Taiwan province. The cities of Taipei and Kaohsiung are each divided into two electoral districts. Aborigines are divided among northern and southern electoral districts, and professional associations constitute one electoral district. February, the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs promotes a scheme in which aboriginal villages provide lodging to tourists, and thereby supplement their income and raise their quality of life.

1990 79th year of the Republic of China July, Chairman Lien Chan of the Taiwan provincial government instructs all government units to maintain an attitude of "listening more, doing more, and speaking more" when performing administrative work, particularly work that closely affects the public. The Taiwan Aboriginal Administration Bureau is established with Kuo Hsiu-yen as director.

1991 80th year of the Republic of China February, the Taiwan provincial government allocates NT$1.2 billion for the task of relocating nine aboriginal villages, including Sankuang village in Fuhsing township. The Taiwan Department of Education allocates NT$9,650,000 from the Taiwan Educational Asset Fund for the purpose of helping low-income children to attend kindergarten.

1991 80th year of the Republic of China April, the Taiwan Provincial Council passes the "Revised Regulations Governing Afforestation Loans in Aboriginal Reservations." September, the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs utilizes NT$610 million to carry out the "Program for Improving the Lives of People Living in Remote Areas." The Aboriginal Administration Bureau of the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs proposes the "Major Tasks of the Plan for the Social Development of Aborigines in Taiwan." This project is incorporated within the Six-Year National Development Plan, and is implemented beginning in 1992.

1992 81st year of the Republic of China April, the Taiwan Provincial Council passes a follow-up plan for the additional purchase of electric locomotives by the Taiwan Railway Administration. The council also approves the change of the name of Santi township in Pingtung county to "Santimen township." September, the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs issues the "Four-Year First Stage Plan for the Social Development of Aborigines in Taiwan" in hopes of increasing the welfare of the Taiwanese aborigines. The provincial government drafts the "Plan for Improving the Major Road System in Mountain Townships" in order to create a transportation network in mountainous areas.

1993 82nd year of the Republic of China July, the provincial government completes the "Taiwan Province Harmonious Society Implementation Plan for Improving Aboriginal Welfare."

1994 83rd year of the Republic of China April, Chairman James Sung of the provincial government gives a speech at the "1994 Taiwan Province Aboriginal Affairs Conference" declaring the aborigines should be allowed to participate more fully in administrative affairs in order that their talents can be better utilized and developed.

1995 84th year of the Republic of China March, the Taiwan Department of Civil Affairs issues the "Regulations Governing Loans Assisting Aborigines to Build or Repair Homes" as a means of easing the existing housing problem among the aboriginal population. June, the Taiwan Aboriginal Administration Review Conference is held in the Provincial Government Materials building at Chunghsing Hsintsun.

Information Provided By C.Y. Lin

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