By Phoebe Farris (Powhatan-Pamunkey)
Faisu Mukunana (Tsou) is an acclaimed Indigenous woman writer from Taiwan. Born in the community of Lalauya in 1942, Mukunana has lived through two regimes: the Japanese occupation and the Republic of China. She speaks three languages, including her native Tsou, and is the recipient of several literary awards.
Tony Coolidge
Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) won the Presidential election of Taiwan on January 16, 2016 by a large margin, earning 56.1% of the votes versus 31.0% for the runner up, Eric Chu (朱立倫). The election results signaled a turning point in Taiwan’s democracy, with the Democratic Progressive Party winning a majority of the seats in the Legislative Yuan (the lawmaking body) as well. Tsai accepted the “will of the Taiwanese people” as a sign that citizens wanted a significant change from former failed policies and unfulfilled promises.
By Tony Coolidge
According to many visitors to Taiwan, the magnificent East coast stretching from Hualien to Taitung County is arguably the most beautiful area of Taiwan. It is often compared to the scenic coastlines in Hawai’i, California or New Zealand. The scenery of Taroko Gorge, as well as the towering cliffsides met abruptly by the deep blue Pacific Ocean leave their indelible impressions on visitors. However, the distinctive cultures of the locals are what gives visitors a rich, colorful experience they will always remember.
Tony Coolidge
Among the 16 officially-recognized Indigenous tribes of Taiwan, the Bunun peoples are known for their strength, endurance and fierce nature. The people of the island’s 4th largest Indigenous group, centered in Taitung and Hualien Counties, are distinctly shorter and have a bronze complexion. They are known for the strength of their bodies and power in their voices, which suits them for surviving in the pristine, rugged mountains of southeast Taiwan.
By Glenn Smith
In Taiwan, 'Oppose Meiliwan' has been the battle cry of a wide-ranging coalition of eco-activists, Indigenous rights groups and everyday citizens for more than a decade. Meiliwan, which means 'beautiful bay', comes from the Chinese name for the Miramar Resort Village, a five-star beachside property development at the tiny seaside hamlet of Shanyuan (杉原) ten miles north of Taitung City.
Taiwan Indigenous Television, TiTV is fast approaching its tenth anniversary. Launched on July 1, 2005, TiTV is one of several channels operated under the public television platform, Taiwan Broadcasting System (TBS), and is believed to be Asia's first publicly funded television channel serving an aboriginal audience. Located on Channel 16, TiTV produces a mix of news and entertainment programs and broadcasts them islandwide.
By Nithin Coca
In the middle of the wedding, my friend's grandma, a short, stocky, but strong aboriginal Taiwanese woman in her 80s, went up on stage. She grabbed the microphone and, after a short introduction in Mandarin, the dominant language in Taiwan, began a Christian prayer in the Atayal language.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are headquartered on Massachusett land, in Cambridge, MA, and we thank the past, current, and future Indigenous stewards of this territory.
