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The Truth-Searching Indigenous Ministry Committee of the PCT
Indigenous Hunting Rights on Trial in Taiwan. Image by CNA via https://international.thenewslens.com/article/148221
By Sudu Tada
Not many people know, from a historical point of view, that Taiwanese indigenes belong to Austronesian peoples. In the early modern period of Taiwan, there were over 60 indigenous groups; now, only 16 groups are officially recognized by the government: Amis, Paiwan, Tayal, Bunun, Pinuyumayan, Rukai, Tsou, Saisiyat, Tao, Thao, Kavalan, Taroko, Sakizaya, Sediq, Hlalua and Kanakanavu. Each group has its own rich traditional heritage playing as the engine of a vibrant culture. The religious belief of each group becomes their ethical disciplines and the core value transforms into each tribe’s spiritual anchor in modern society.
Though, after several centuries of colonisation, Taiwanese indigenes do enjoy some degree of quality life, certain benefits of consumption and some achievement of education; however, the indigenous well-being does not go well in general, on the contrary it becomes even worse as a matter of fact. On the rights of politics and economics, Taiwanese indigenes are forced to accept compromise for mainstream interests. The lands handed down from the ancestor are exploited case by case by the ruling government together with some private companies; young girls can go nowhere; young boys can only choose heavy-duty labour, such as miners and fishermen. This leaves Taiwanese indigenes wandering on their own land. The most astonishing fact is the decline of traditional culture, especially the disappearance of language. These harsh conditions result in a very difficult problem of self-identity for Taiwanese indigenes, even causing the crisis for survival. Luckily, the Indigenous Ministry Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan becomes the light of hope for Taiwanese indigenes to fight against the empires.
Historically, the Christian belief of Taiwan indigenous churches went through four major phases: “the initial stage under persecution”, “the positive stage of revival”, “the fragile stage of bottleneck” and “the development stage of city mission”. Until now, we still follow the spiritual disciplines from our ancestors,
that is the teaching of Jesus Christ: endeavouring to preach the gospel of God and playing the role of ‘being the light and the salt’ in this generation. Doing all these ministry is to respond the call from God and to serve God and the people in loyalty. In the missionary history of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, the Indigenous Ministry Committee played a critical role and has a very important meaning. Established on 15th June 1954, the Indigenous Ministry Committee has the purpose of helping indigenes to save their culture and language from extinction. It also helps protect their own rights and benefits. On the other hand, in order to speak and stand up for Taiwanese indigenes, this committee intends to cultivate these indigenous peoples in different professions. The Indigenous Ministry Committee has three major tasks: evangelical mission, Christian education and community service.
On evangelical mission, the executives of Indigenous Ministry Committee have proceeded with some special strategies, such as supporting small-size church and establishing city-companion church neworks; we also hold some professional training courses designed for the church leaders and assist to build a well-formed presbytery/district organization structure for indigenous groups. Regarding the Christian education, we plan to publish the Bible and hymns in each indigenous language. Also, teaching materials on culture and gospel, such as the indigenous languages, training resources, even the hymns for indigenous children will be edited. In addition, an internet digital resources for the indigenous adolescent Christian education will be set up for far-fetched and rural churches.
When it comes to community service, we have some courses related to the empowerment of indigenes, such as URM (Urban Rural Mission), TPN (Third-Party Neutral) and OST (Open Space Technology). Besides, we collaborate with groups of indigenes to form the self-help associations and work together for some indigenous issues. We have established a platform to make possible exchange between the indigenous groups and the politicians, and also create an economical platform for the development of indigenous economics and industry.
An Indigenous priest surrounded by his clansmen during a festival at a village in Chishang township, Taitung county. Image by Sam Yeh/AFP.
