BackgroundTo respond to the needs of the indigenous peoples, as well as to bring Taiwan in line with global trends in 1996 the Executive Yuan began preparations for the establishment of a central government organization devoted to indigenous affairs. Organizational laws were formulated in the same year to provide a legal basis for the development of this organization. On November 1, 1996, the Legislative Yuan approved the organizational bylaws of the Council of Aboriginal Affairs. On December 1- of the same year, the Executive Yuan officially established the Council to carry out coordination and planning of indigenous affairs. This marked a new milestone in Taiwan’s national policy, providing consistent and progressive formulation and execution of indigenous policies, and coordinated plann.....