Tribe Torn Apart by Solar Power 02: Development Invades Zhiben Wetland, Traditional Leaders File Suit: Conclusions of the "Convened Tribal Council" Are Invalid

(Continued from previous article) To develop solar power in the Zhiben Wetland, the Taitung County Government, without the consent of the local Puyuma "Katratripulr" tribe, allowed the company to enter and lobby, and convened a "tribal council" on its behalf to exercise the right of consultation and consent through a vote. After a highly controversial voting process, the affirmative side prevailed with 187 votes to the opposition's 173 votes, approving the solar developer's development of the tribe's traditional territory.

Three traditional leaders of the Katratripulr tribe, known as "Rahan" (equivalent to "chief"), announced a few days ago (April 18) that they were filing suit: the aforementioned "convened" tribal council was invalid. Grand Rahan Lin Wen-hsiang, his hands trembling, said in fury: "The tribe cannot be divided. The lawsuit is to protect the tribe's existence."

The pro-solar-development side held up signs in protest at the tribe's press conference venue, saying that there were also voices within the tribe in favor of solar power and opposing the lawsuit. This jarring confrontation also conveyed the state of tribal division. Lin Yu-chang, president of the tribal youth association on the opposition side, said: "We do not oppose green energy. What we oppose is the process of solar development, which must not cause the tribe to lose mutual trust."

Tribal youth: "We are not opposed to green energy, but the solar power project has caused the tribe to lose mutual trust and also lose the opportunity to develop on its own."

On the night before the Rahan made their public announcement, a fire was lit at the Balaguan (tribal gathering hall), symbolizing a proclamation to the ancestors. The youth association was ready to set up the venue, the women's association was preparing food in the kitchen, and everyone was busy coming and going throughout the night.

The Katratripulr tribe has a strict hierarchical organization, divided into the council of elders, the able-bodied group of adult married men, the married women's association, and the youth association. The youth association forms the tribe's main force, and all youths, including boys, must receive training under the youth association, obey the Rahan's instructions, and serve the tribe's traditional affairs. Unmarried young women, under the women's association, participate together in tribal affairs.

Facing tribespeople who challenge the tribe's traditional leadership authority, former youth association president Kao Shih-chieh could hardly conceal his grief and indignation: "We received traditional cultural training at the Balaguan all along, and were taught to respect tradition. Why is it that those who taught us this way back then are not doing so now?"

The new president, Lin Yu-chang, said: "We do not oppose green energy. What we oppose is the process of solar development, which must not cause the tribe to lose mutual trust. Money is indeed important, but we must develop through our own abilities, not by depending on others. Otherwise, what will Katratripulr do when the solar company leaves in twenty years?"

Tribal cadre: Even if the tribe holds differing opinions, it remains a community of life. We are not enemies

"After three years of internal confrontation and infighting, everyone is exhausted." Salreng, a young teacher who returned home and also serves as vice president, said wearily, "The Rahan stepping forward is not aimed at tribespeople who support or oppose it, but at the injustice of the tribal council." Her involvement in tribal cultural transmission work has led Salreng to identify with the Rahan's decision. For her, traditional territory is the root of tribal history and culture; losing traditional values means the tribe will lose its way amid development.

Salreng believes that even if there are also voices of support within the tribe, Katratripulr remains a whole: "The tribe is full of bonds between people; it is still a community of life. We are tribespeople, not enemies," added her colleague Uki.

Tribal cadre criticizes: The tribal right of consent was contracted out to the company. How exactly does the county government view Indigenous peoples?

Kao Ming-chih is deputy leader of the Katratripulr tribe's able-bodied group and was once a vigorous participant in Indigenous movements. Now he has returned to the tribe to promote cultural revitalization. Since the county government began promoting the solar case, he has also been a radical opponent. Kao Ming-chih specifically points out the conflict caused by the county government entrusting the development project to the company, which then entered the tribe and co-opted it:

"In our traditional culture, to use this land one must greet 'Balishi,' the other life that uses this land. Now the Taitung County Government has opened the door for the company to come in and buy off the tribe. The 71st-year Jiedier development case already did this once. How many more times will this happen? Public authority is bound by law; what it dares not do now is handed over to the company. The company has resources, gives job opportunities, gives welfare. How exactly do they view Indigenous peoples?"

Rahan roars: Tribespeople are divided and attacking each other. The ancestors would be saddened to see this

The Rahan holds an exalted status in the Katratripulr tribe. They are the officiants of rituals and the leaders of the traditional organization. Their importance is similar to the role of "chief" in other tribes, and their primary mission is to be "managers of the land, guardians of the tribe, and bearers of cultural transmission."

Respected by tribespeople as "Grand Rahan," Rahan Lin Wen-hsiang of the Rafariu clan is both compassionate and authoritative. At the press conference, when pro-development tribespeople held up signs in protest, Lin Wen-hsiang watched the tribe divide, his hands trembling with anger, and gripping the microphone he angrily rebuked: "The tribe cannot be divided. We must return to the tribe's own ways to solve the problem."

Lin Wen-hsiang said his anger came from "the ancestors' sadness": "After the solar case came in, you attack me and I attack you. Are we still Katratripulr (in the tribal language: together)?" He further criticized: "The Indigenous Peoples Basic Law has been in effect for so long. Wasn't it meant to protect Indigenous peoples? How did it turn into oppressing us?"

County councilor Chen Cheng-tsung, who serves as acting Rahan of the Lufaniyau clan because his father is bedridden, said the lawsuit has nothing to do with whether the solar case is developed or not; it is about defending the tribe's traditional values. As the first tribe to exercise the right of consultation and consent, Katratripulr must not become the sinner that sets a bad precedent.

Rahan Lin Mao-sheng of the Pakarugu clan believes the county government's process for developing solar power has been extremely unfair to the tribe: "Outside companies bring in so many resources and enter our impoverished Indigenous area, splitting the tribe, yet the county government sits on the sidelines watching the tribe fight among itself. The Rahan has a responsibility to maintain tribal unity and cannot be swayed by outsiders. (The tribal council held on June 1 was not fair. Those who voted did not join us in the annual rituals, and some were not even Puyuma.)"