Premier Su Tseng-chang (
The Sakiraya people yesterday became the nation's 13th officially recognized Aboriginal ethno-linguistic group.
Long wait
PHOTO: CNA
"We learn from history books that the Sakiraya have existed since the 17th century. They hid themselves among the Amis people because of war," Su said.
"Today, they have finally got their name back, but we still need to work hard to have our name back for this country -- Taiwan," he said.
Su was speaking at a ceremony announcing the addition of the Sakiraya to the list of formal Aboriginal tribal designations.
Su suggested yesterday that Aboriginal languages could be maintained by including them in every day activities.
"We should value and respect the diversity of our society. The best way to maintain and promote a language is to use it," Su said.
He lauded the Sakiraya people's efforts to preserve their language and culture and to gain official recognition as a distinct people.
Administration goal
Cabinet Spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang (
According to the Council of Indigenous Peoples, there are between 5,000 and 10,000 Sakiraya living in Hualien, Taoyuan and Taipei counties and in Keelung.
Cheng encouraged the council and the Sakiraya people to continue to promote their identity, so that more people would learn about the group's language and culture.
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