Hmali’, rgrgyax and Gaga: a study of Tayal elders reclaiming their Indigenous identities in Taiwan

This article examines how older Tayal, an Indigenous people in Taiwan, regain, reclaim and renegotiate their identities by reconnecting to Hmali’ (the Tayal language), rgrgyax (mountains) and Gaga (the Tayal Law). A critical qualitative design informed by Tayal hermeneutics was used. In total, 14 bbnkis (elders) were interviewed, and the data were thematically analysed. The aim of this article is to contribute to the ongoing revitalization processes in Taiwan. Such revitalization processes often tend to reinforce the quest for authentic Indigenous identities, as if indigeneity could be reduced to a pale reproduction of how things used to be in the old days. Our findings show that indigeneity is not about returning to a fixed past. Instead, it is about writing back against the colonial framework that was imposed on the Indigenous peoples and, in that way, healing from trauma.Peer reviewe

Insights into Positionality and the Voicing of Indigeneity in Research : Towards a Critical Theory of Inbetweenness

Western empirical research holds to rules and guidelines informed by the natural sciences, positivism, deductive reasoning, objectivity and precise measures as gold standards of inquiry. Contrasting this worldview, the relational qualities and interconnections essential to Indigenous research are seen as problematic that must acquiesce to the norms of scientific observation. This paper draws upon the literature of key Indigenous researchers and the author’s insights from situated experiences and examine the ways in which the Indigenist paradigm challenges empirical standards in relation to positionality. That is, addressing the struggles of the ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ standpoints, speaking to the dilemmas of identity, and negotiating the space in-between cultures (Kaomea, 2014). The question of insider and outsider even among Indigenous researchers can be regarded as a space of solvency and richness. The paper contends that with truth and reconciliation and the international recognition of Indigenous rights comes the need to strengthen and politicise Indigenous voices in all its forms. It is especially pressing in the area of knowledge development and dissemination. We share our stories of walking between worlds and reflect on our work experiences across nations. In the end, we hope to advance interest in the narratives affirming Indigenous research as relational, contextual, spiritual and situational.Peer reviewe

Collective experiences of the Indigenous writing retreat

We three – Hae Seong, Wasiq, and Heidi – are a group of researchers from different geographical places, disciplines, and ontological spaces. The Indigenous Writing Retreat (hereafter “the Retreat”) in Gilbbesjávri/Kilpisjärvi brought us together and transformed our bounded ways of thinking about research, disciplines, identities and power relationships between them. The aim of the Retreat was to “provide the writers with an opportunity to develop their manuscripts, to extend Indigenous research networks, and to enable cross disciplinary conversations related to Indigenous research methodologies” (”Indigenous Studies Writing Retreat” 2019). In addition, the Retreat enabled us to explore the blurred boundaries of knowledge paradigms regarding what our relationships are towards Indigenous Studies and our presence in Sápmi. In this narration, we are relating to the latter experience with a multivoice narration conducted with the methodology of walking ethnography. During the process our narratives flow from an individual to a collective level. We shared many experiences with each other in the Retreat, but also connected individually with other humans, land, animals, trees, plants and spirits. Afterwards, we arranged a workshop to discuss our experiences of the Retreat and analyzed the impacts on us. From there, we continued writing the three stories individually, then returned, as a group, to discuss the relationships and significance to Indigenous research. To cross the cultural and disciplinary barriers between us, we tested visual and participatory methods to achieve a collective form of communication. These methods also proved to enable a discussion beyond conventional (academic) terms, allowing us to communicate about our diverse experiences.Peer reviewe

Indigenous peoples participating in the United Nations : Self-awareness is a prerequisite for self-determination

This piece introduces a variety of thoughts pertaining to self-determination and discourses related to it. The analysis is built on interviews from Taiwan Indigenous peoples who participated in the UNPFII in 2013

“We Tried to Take Care of Her, but it Got Too Exhausting” : A Study of the Transition From Family Carer to Employer

In Taiwan an increasing number of families are employing live-in carers from abroad to cope with care responsibilities, including the Indigenous Tayal. The aim of this research was to understand the transition from Indigenous family carer to employer with older family members who have extensive care needs. Six Indigenous employers were interviewed, and a narrative hermeneutic analysis was performed. The Tayal caregivers’ cases revealed that their transition to employing live-in carers was complex and filled with ethical dilemmas due to their vulnerable positions. They tried to ensure person-centered care for their family members, but by doing this they risked reproducing vulnerability when transferring their own vulnerability to the live-in carer. The results indicate the interwoven nature of care dependency when it is defined by multiple vulnerabilities, Indigeneity and migration, and the multifaceted components of cultural safety.Peer reviewe

Cisan and Malahang : Indigenous Older Adults’ Voices on Active Aging – Findings from a Qualitative Study in Taiwan

The Taiwan Government follows the policy of active aging to prevent frailty. However, the current services lack cultural safety toward the Indigenous peoples and would benefit from a broader perspective on what active aging may entail. In this research, we study local perceptions of active aging among older Indigenous Tayal taking part in a local day club. The study identifies two formal activities that foster active aging: (a) information meetings about health and illness and (b) physical activities. In addition, two informal activities highlighted by the participants themselves were identified as necessary for promoting healthy and active aging: Cisan and Malahang. While Cisan means "social care," Malahang means "interrelational care practices." In conclusion, we argue for the relevance of listening to Indigenous older adults' voices to develop long-term care services adapted to their cultural values, linguistic competence, and cosmology.Peer reviewe

Pinhkngyan : paths taken to recognizing, doing and developing Indigenous methodologies

It is agreed that Indigenous scholars should be central in researching Indigenous issues. However, the literature on Indigenous research methodologies remains vague on who should be involved. This study aims to lower the entry barrier to Indigenous methodologies for anyone wholeheartedly committed to contribute to the decolonizing processes of Indigenous communities and beyond. We do so by exploring the main challenges experienced by the first author during her doctoral journey and highlighting how these challenges were dealt with. Four themes identified were as follows: (1) the colonial gaze, (2) battling with the concept of authenticity, (3) recognizing Indigeneity in the ordinary, and (4) reconciliation with the past to pave the way toward a better future. Three lessons learned are discussed. A vision for a more inclusive Indigenous inquiry is offered, suggesting that reconnection, reclaiming and sovereignty are key to establishing an ethical space between Indigenous ways of knowing and the existing dominant knowledge systems.Peer reviewe

Decolonization of care through a wholistic way of living : Gaga from the Tayal in Taiwan

This article explores the “wholistic” as a central concept of “the good life” as expressed by the Bnkis, Tayal Indigenous Elders, who participated in the Day Club, Tayal territory of Northern Taiwan. In particular, we analyze the stories of care experienced by the Bnkis from the standpoint of wholistic relationships. The stories were recorded primarily between 2015 and 2018. In this analysis we used a critical qualitative design approach, privileging Tayal epistemology and informed by Tayal hermeneutics. Our results show that the concept of well-being for the Bnkis is closely linked to their relationships with people and with the land and spirituality. Through these relationships, the continuation of Gaga—Tayal law and cosmology—has been adapted organically over time. We argue that Gaga is central to Tayal Elder/Bnkis care and essential to Bnkis’ well-being. We propose that the concept of wholistic relationships embedded in the Tayal law of Gaga is vital in developing an elderly care system that is genuinely culturally relevant in the long run. This research demonstrates how the wholistic concept can improve human health and well-being, and ultimately provides an implication to sustainable development