History
Why Become Urban Indigenous People ?
In the 1970s, with the gradual increase in job offers in the Taipei area and various challenges brought by the capital market, the rapid economic development of urban areas attracted indigenous tribes. As industrial and commercial sectors rapidly developed and various national regulations restricted them, indigenous people lost their land, and their traditional territories were taken over by the government. Their traditional way of life, centered around hunting, became unsustainable, leading to significant disruptions.
Facing difficulties in their original areas due to decreased agricultural land and limited job opportunities, many indigenous people from eastern counties moved to Taipei, including the Amis tribe. Elder Zhang Yingxiong(張英雄) discovered the Xizhou area and began to settle there.
However, urban life brought significant changes and inconveniences. Faced with the challenges of urban living, indigenous people sought areas similar to their hometowns. Nevertheless, high land and housing prices in urban areas prevented them from purchasing homes. Therefore, the Amis tribe living by the coast chose to cultivate land along the riverbanks and establish villages, which is now near the Xindian River.
Photo credit:The Mustard Seed Mission
This image depicts the early appearance of Xizhou Tribe.
Life and Transformation of the Xindian Riverbank Tribe
Starting in 1981, Amis indigenous people began mutual cooperation to transform the Xindian River area into suitable residence. They built houses and discovered that the environment was similar to their original hometown in Hualien. They began farming, growing vegetables, raising chickens, and striving for self-sufficiency. In 1984, nearby residents began installing electricity facilities, providing the tribe with complete water and electricity supply.
With everyone's efforts, they established their village. With the completion of village construction, the first Harvest Festival belonging to the Xizhou tribe began, expressing gratitude to the ancestors and passing down Amis indigenous culture.
In 1985, the tribe faced its first relocation issue as the government wanted them to move to the Xindian Zhongzheng public housing. However, some residents were unwilling to relocate. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in 1997, a major fire broke out in the Xizhou tribe due to wooden houses, resulting in significant loss of property and one child's life. In 2002, with the assistance of Reverend Mayo Kume(馬耀谷木) and Pastor Mijiang Wu(米將吾社), the Xizhou Tribe Self-Help Association was formed. In 2007, facing another threat of relocation, residents resisted the government's plan to relocate them to temporary housing for indigenous people in Sanxia Long'enbu.
Despite the government's order for forced eviction, supported by scholars and indigenous people's resistance, the situation transitioned from forced demolition to gradual dismantling. To this day, it remains their residential and cultural area, with approximately forty-five households and over two hundred people residing there.
In 1985, the tribe faced its first relocation issue as the government wanted them to move to the Xindian Zhongzheng public housing. However, some residents were unwilling to relocate.
In 2002, with the assistance of Reverend Mayo Kume (馬耀谷木) and Pastor Mijiang Wu (米將吾社), the Xizhou Tribe Self-Help Association was formed.
1997
2002
2007
1985
During the Mid-Autumn Festival in 1997, a major fire broke out in the Xizhou tribe due to wooden houses, resulting in significant loss of property and one child's life.
In 2007, facing another threat of relocation, residents resisted the government's plan to relocate them to temporary housing for indigenous people in Sanxia Long'enbu.