Walis Perin

Walis Perin (born 8 August 1952) is a Seediq Taiwanese politician. He served four terms in the Legislative Yuan from 1993 to 2005, each time with a different political affiliation. He became a founding member of the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union in 2004, and after losing reelection, was appointed the minister for the Council of Indigenous Peoples in 2005. He stepped down in 2007, and since then has launched two unsuccessful legislative campaigns, in 2012 with the People First Party and 2016, representing the Democratic Progressive Party. In 2018, Walis Perin was appointed to the Control Yuan.

Walis Perin

MLY
Walis Perin
Walis Perin (center) on 30 June 2017, after a meeting of the Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Committee
Member of the Control Yuan
Assumed office
16 January 2018
Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples
In office
10 March 2005 – 21 May 2007
Preceded byChen Chien-nien
Succeeded byIcyang Parod
Member of the Legislative Yuan
In office
1 February 1993 – 31 January 2005
Preceded bynew seat in multi-member district
Succeeded byKung Wen-chi
ConstituencyHighland Aborigine
Personal details
Born (1952-08-08) 8 August 1952
Nantou County, Taiwan
NationalityRepublic of China
Political partyDemocratic Progressive Party (since 2015)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (before 1995)
Kuomintang (1995–98)
Democratic Non-Partisan Alliance (1998–2001)
Taiwan Number One Party (Independent) (2001–2004)
Non-Partisan Solidarity Union (2004–?)
People First Party (2011–?)
Alma materFu Jen Catholic University

Early life, education and career

Walis Perin was born in Nantou County on 8 August 1952 and obtained a bachelor's degree in philosophy followed by a master's degree in theology, both from Fu Jen Catholic University. He served as a Roman Catholic priest until 1986, when he won a seat on the Nantou County Council.[1][2] Prior to 2008, when the government granted official status to the Seediq people,[3] Wallis Perin was described as an Atayal.[4][5]

Political career

Walis Perin won a seat on the second Legislative Yuan as an independent in 1992. He ran under the Kuomintang banner in 1995, and won a second term. By 1998, Walis Perin left the KMT for the Democratic Non-Partisan Alliance, but again managed to keep his legislative seat. Walis Perin split from the DNPA to run for reelection yet again in 2001.[6] He joined the Taiwan Number One Party,[6] and was covered in Taiwanese media as an independent.[7][8] In 2002, Walis Perin and other legislators reestablished a caucus for independents,[9][10] of which he was named the convener.[11][12]

As a legislator, Walis Perin worked extensively to protect aboriginal autonomy and culture.[13][14] He proposed a bill that sought to form an aboriginal parliament and constitution,[15] and has supported initiatives to cut the aboriginal unemployment rate.[16] In further defense of aboriginal rights, Walis Perin has been known to lead protests.[17][18] He and nine others founded the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union in June 2004.[19] A month later, Vice President Annette Lu commented that aboriginals were not first to live on the island of Taiwan. Walis Perin planned a rally to counter the remark,[20] and also said, "[Lu's] suggestion that Aboriginal people are not native to Taiwan and are outsiders is disrespectful and stems from an ignorance of the culture and history of the indigenous people."[21] Shortly after the incident, it was recommended that the Council of Indigenous Peoples merge with the Hakka Affairs Council and the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission. The CIP and Walis Perin panned the suggestion, and the merger did not occur.[22] In December, running as a Non-Partisan Solidarity Union candidate, Walis Perin was defeated in the legislative elections.[23]

On 3 March 2005, Wallis Perin was appointed the minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, replacing Chen Chien-nien, who had resigned.[24][25] Under his leadership, the CIP drafted a revision to laws pertaining to aboriginal autonomy,[26] established a library and resource center for indigenous people,[27] and helped start a radio station and television channel geared toward an aboriginal audience,[28][1] the latter something Walis Perin had supported since his days in the legislature.[29] Also during his tenure, the Sakizaya people applied for and received official governmental designation as a group separate from the Amis.[30][31] Wallis Perin left the CIP in 2007, and was succeeded by Icyang Parod.[32]

In August 2011, Walis Perin was named a People First Party candidate for the legislature, but lost.[33][34] He ran again in 2016, this time with the Democratic Progressive Party. Walis Perin declared his candidacy in May 2015.[35] During his campaign, he alleged that other candidates were engaging in electoral fraud.[36] Shortly after defeating Walis Perin, Chien Tung-ming was indicted on charges of vote buying.[37] In March 2017, President Tsai Ing-wen named Walis Perin to a position on the Control Yuan.[38] He was also appointed to a committee set up to research aboriginal property rights.[39] During questioning by the Legislative Yuan in January 2018, Wallis Perin stated that he supported the Control Yuan's abolition only if it was first approved by constitutional amendment and further backed by a referendum.[40] Walis Perin was confirmed as a member of the Control Yuan on 16 January 2018,[41] and took office immediately.[42]

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References
  1. "Taiwan's Indigenous Peoples Get More Recognition". Voice of America. 9 November 2005. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  2. Mo, Yan-chih (7 March 2005). "Walis Pelin makes a name standing up for Aborigines". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  3. Tsai, June (15 June 2011). "'Seediq Bale' sparks renewed interest in Wushe Uprising". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  4. Chang, Linda (27 March 1998). "Yami tribe celebrates ancient links to 'historic families' in". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  5. Huang, Sandy (26 October 2002). "Atayal council not impressed with May Chin's stand". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  6. Simon, Scott (29 December 2015). "Elections in the Mountains : Indigenous Politics and the 2016 Legislative Elections". University of Nottingham. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  7. Huang, Sandy (22 May 2002). "Aborigines call on Chen to follow through". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  8. Chiu, Yu-tzu (6 July 2001). "Aboriginals protest against location of incinerator". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  9. Hsu, Crystal (2 July 2002). "Independents try to form caucus". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  10. Hsu, Crystal (27 June 2002). "Independents seeking new voice". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  11. Ko, Shu-ling (4 June 2003). "Aboriginals lukewarm to `menu' for change". Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  12. Lu, Fiona (2 May 2003). "Opposition pledges SARS support". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  13. "Aboriginals unite against lack of progress on self-rule". Taipei Times. Central News Agency. 27 October 2002. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  14. Huang, Sandy (17 April 2002). "Aboriginal leaders want Makao Park deal put in writing". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  15. Liu, Shao-hua (25 May 2000). "Orchid Island Aborigines want autonomy". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  16. Chuang, Chi-Ting (13 July 2000). "New bill aims to help Aboriginals". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  17. Hong, Caroline (16 November 2004). "Protesters slam road repair ban". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  18. Chuang, Chi-ting (13 March 2001). "Aborigines clash with cement firm over land". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  19. Yiu, Cody (15 June 2004). "Legislator says new party should not be recognized". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  20. Hong, Caroline (24 July 2004). "Lu backtracks on Aboriginal comments". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  21. Hong, Caroline (17 July 2004). "Aboriginal legislators on hunger strike". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  22. Hong, Caroline (4 September 2004). "Indigenous peoples council opposes agencies merger". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  23. Wu, Debby (2 December 2004). "`Ma's corps' stick together on the busy campaign trail". Taipei Times. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  24. Chuang, Jimmy (3 March 2005). "Walis Pelin chosen to lead Council of Indigenous Peoples". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  25. Chuang, Jimmy (5 March 2005). "More jobs for the boys as Cabinet officials selected". Taipei Times.
  26. Loa, Iok-sin (30 January 2007). "Council pushes for review of autonomy bill for Aborigines". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  27. Lin, Jean (22 July 2006). "Aboriginal resource center opened". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  28. Mo, Yan-chih (2 July 2005). "New Aboriginal station on the air". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  29. Wu, Debby (3 August 2001). "Aboriginal TV still just a proposal". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  30. Chuang, Jimmy (14 October 2005). "Tribe wants official recognition". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  31. "Sakizaya ratified as thirteenth indigenous tribe". China Post. Central News Agency. 17 January 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  32. Loa, Iok-sin; Shih, Hsiu-chuan (18 May 2007). "Premier-designate issues second list in Cabinet reshuffle". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  33. "People First Party set to announce district legislator candidates today". China Post. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  34. Shih, Hsiao-kuang (15 August 2011). "KMT legislators confident they won't lose out to PFP". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  35. Tung, Chen-kuo; Lii, Wen (10 May 2015). "Walis Pelin joins legislative race on DPP card". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  36. Lee, Hsin-fang (8 January 2016). "DPP candidate Walis Pelin accuses Aboriginal lawmakers of vote-buying". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  37. Gerber, Abraham (10 April 2016). "Campaigners pan empty Aboriginal legislative seats". Taipei Times. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  38. Yeh, Sophia; Chang, S.C.; Huang, Romulo (1 March 2017). "Home > Politics President Tsai nominates 11 Control Yuan members". Central News Agency. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  39. Hsu, Stacy (21 March 2017). "Committee debates delineation of Aboriginal lands". Taipei Times. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  40. Lin, Sean (13 January 2018). "Control Yuan nominees for its abolition". Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  41. Lin, Sean (17 January 2018). "Control Yuan: DPP's Control Yuan nominees approved". Taipei Times. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  42. Wang, Cheng-chung; Tsai, Chia-lin; Su, Justin; Liu, Kuan-lin (16 January 2018). "Legislature approves president's Control Yuan nominees". Central News Agency. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
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