Introduction
Xizhou Tribe
Xizhou Tribe is an urban indigenous community located in Xindian District, New Taipei City, inhabited by many Amis indigenous people from Hualien. In 2007, the Taipei County government was scheduled to relocate this tribe by citing the river restoration and Dabi Reservoir reconstruction project, sparking a prolonged indigenous resistance movement.
With deeper exploration, we discovered stories behind the beautiful tribe, including the hardships they suffered when looking for their self-identity in urban areas. From their protests, we witnessed the solidarity of the community and its collaboration with the National Taiwan University's Institute of Sociology and Enterprises. This collaboration influenced the government’s policies, demonstrating the power of public-private cooperation.
Anticipation
We expect that through our modest efforts and the website we have established, more people can learn about Xizhou and understand the challenges urban indigenous communities are faced with. We also anticipate that Xizhou Tribe can successfully establish its position in the urban setting, foster a sense of identity within their ethnic group, and serve as a valuable example for other urban indigenous communities.
Photo credit:FTV
Photo credit: 民視新聞網