Ko Chih-en Proposes Five Policies for Indigenous Peoples, Urging Support for Urban and Rural Residents

Kuomintang Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Ko Chih-en unveiled a five-point plan for the city's indigenous population, aiming to provide comprehensive support for both those living in traditional mountain villages and those residing in urban areas.

Ko's "five major policies" center on "cultural roots, industrial strength, tangible healthcare, accessible indigenous areas, and community support." She stressed that culture is the most precious asset of indigenous peoples and a cornerstone of Kaohsiung's diverse identity. Her plan explicitly states that indigenous policies should not be limited to the three traditional mountain townships but must extend equal support to all indigenous individuals living and working in Kaohsiung, whether in villages or cities.

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Cultural roots, industrial strength, tangible healthcare, accessible indigenous areas, and community support.

Recognizing the growing urban indigenous population facing challenges like language loss and insufficient cultural spaces, Ko's proposals include significantly increasing incentives for indigenous language proficiency certification, aiming for the highest reward to reach NT$20,000. She also pledged to monitor the National Museum of Indigenous Peoples' timely completion. For economic development, the plan involves upgrading Kaohsiung's indigenous brand, integrating design, digital marketing, and market expansion resources, and promoting "Indigenous Tourism 2.0" to connect cultural experiences with eco-tourism and local industries.

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The city government's indigenous policies in the future cannot just take care of the three mountain townships; they must also allow every indigenous person living and working in Kaohsiung, whether in a tribe or in the city, to receive the same support and care.

Healthcare in indigenous areas will see improved medical capacity at health stations in Taoyuan, Namaxia, and Maolin, alongside a disaster preparedness acute care mechanism. This includes expanding specialized services like ophthalmology, dentistry, rehabilitation, and mental health, plus training more caregivers fluent in indigenous languages and cultures. Infrastructure improvements will focus on securing central government funding for permanent upgrades to key roads like Provincial Highway 29 and Wafaha Bridge, as well as renovating rural roads and drainage systems. A disaster preparedness system will be established with forward deployment of supplies and training local youth for emergency response teams.

For urban indigenous residents, Ko proposed the "Community Support, Urban-Rural Harmony" policy. This involves establishing integrated urban indigenous service centers to consolidate resources for employment, legal aid, education, housing, social welfare, and long-term care. This aims to reduce the inconvenience of navigating multiple government departments. Ko expressed her hope that these policies will empower every indigenous person to be proud of their culture, live securely in Kaohsiung, pursue their dreams, and find their rightful place and future.

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Community Support, Urban-Rural Harmony