Support for smangus: Dr. Jo An Zimmermann's letter, Melbourne Victoria University,Australia

31 May 2007

I visited the Village of Smangus with my friend, Dr. Chih-Liang Chao in the department of Tourism Management of Providence University, while on a study tour in February 2006. It was a lovely community filled with people of a generous and outgoing nature. I was very impressed by their desire to maintain their culture and their natural environment as well as their willingness to share themselves with “outsiders”.

On the drive into the community I saw numerous places where landslides had occurred and damaged or completely removed sections of the road. From my experience, landslides of that nature are generally caused by a combination of factors – recent logging activities coupled with rain looked to be the culprits in many of the places I noted. In contrast, the trails that I walked around the village seemed well cared for and were built in such a way as to minimize environmental impact.

From talking to the people, their primary concerns are maintaining their culture as well as the natural environment which has been theirs to protect for many generations. I find it very distressing that people of this nature are being harassed and traumatized in the manner shown in the papers.

Taiwan should try and learn from other countries around the world that have destroyed their indigenous culture and now regret the loss. Please stop prosecuting the people of Smangus for their traditional ways of life. Stop now while you still have an indigenous culture to learn from and appreciate.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jo An Zimmermann, Research Associate
Institute for Community Engagement & Policy Alternatives
Victoria University
CRICOS Provider No.00124K

Room L208E, Ballarat Rd, Footscray
PO Box 14428
Melbourne VIC 8001 Australia
PHONE +61 3 9919 4018
FAX +61 3 9919 4539

Jo.Zimmermann@vu.edu.au
www.vu.edu.au

You Can Do to Help Smangus With…

You can help by your countersignature either as an individual or as a group/ organization. There are two things you can help:

1 Countersignature by (individual or group) online
Countersignature by individual
Countersignature by group

2. Countersignature by fax (886-4-26530028, Attn.: Smangus Action Alliance) Please find the countersignature form below.

3. You can write a letter in support of Smangus and have it sent to any of the following government departments:

Office of the President, Taiwan
Email (please go to): http://www.president.gov.tw/en/
Tel: 886-2-23113731
Address: No. 122, Sec. 1, Chungking Rd., Taipei, Taiwan

Executive Yuan, Taiwan
Email (please go to):
http://www.ey.gov.tw/sp.asp?xdURL=mail/mail_en.asp&ctNode=210&mp=11
Attn. (the Premier): Mr. Chun-Hsiung Chang
Tel: 886-2-33566500
Address: No. 1 Sec. 1, Jhongsiao E. Rd., Taipei City, 10058 Taiwan

The Forestry Bureau
Email: service@forest.gov.tw
Tel: 886-2-23515441
Address: No. 2, Sec. 1, Hangchou Rd., Taipei City, 10050, Taiwan

Council of Indigenous Peoples, Executive Yuan, Taiwan
Email: icyang@apc.gov.tw
Attn. (the Director): Mr. Icyang Parod (Amis)
Tel: 886-2-25571600
Address: No.172, Sec. 2, Chongcing N. Rd., Datong District, Taipei City 103, Taiwan

4. You can go to http://smangus.blogspot.com/ to leave you comments to the articles without signing up or logging in. For anyone who wants to sign in, the google (gmail) account will work. If you want to post a new article, please send it to my email meadowling@gmail.com (Attn.: Yi-Ling Huang) with the author's name and affiliation. I will post it on the blog site.

5. You can go to http://atipc.homelinux.org/voices/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=212bac345a611176514939ed99e57e61 and express your opinions there for an open discussion.

6. If you are Christian, you can pray for Smanugs, who is now in a tough battle against injustice.

Support for smangus:Rebecca Thorp's letter

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to show my support for the Smangus people in their fight against the wrongful guilty conviction in the event involving the fallen beech tree. Section 4 Article 15 of the Forestry Act gives the rights to the resources in the traditional territories of the Smangus to the Smangus people. The beech tree that fell from typhoon Haitang was within their traditional territory and, in accordance with Section 4 Article 15 of the Forestry Act, lawfully allowed to be collected by the Smangus people. Convicting the members of the Smangus people of larceny for harvesting what was rightfully theirs is wrong. The Smangus are only asking for the Taiwanese government to follow the same laws they abide by and to enforce them properly. Instead of acknowledging the resource as legally obtained by the Smangus, your government has concluded that they are in violation of Article 52.

Please reconsider the judgment you have made against the members of the Smangus people. The fallen beech tree was a resource rightfully theirs and they have committed no act of larceny.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Thorp

Student
San Jose State University

Save the Smangus People

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in regards to the wind-fall beech event that had occurred at Smangus and would like to extend my support for the Smangus community. Based on the information made available to me, the Forestry Bureau staff had cut the tree into pieces and removed of them, which was in village boundaries. When the village people tried to take the wood back to the village after it was transported, they were accused of burglary. How can it possibly make sense to charge these traditional people with burglary on something that originally was located in their territory? These people were only taking back what was originally theirs, which was taken away by the Forestry staff. Since that were the case, perhaps it could be considered the Forestry staff committed the burglary first. Had they not removed the tree, the village people would not have been able to take the pieces away.

The Smangus people who have been charged with this unthinkable crime should not only deny these charges, but defend their beliefs as well. These people have broken no laws, because they are being charged with a law that doesn't even apply to them to say the least. They were only taking back what was rightfully theirs. It plays a major role in sustaining their tourism they have. Furthermore, these people are charged with a crime, when Section 4 of Article 15 clearly states that aboriginal people may take forest products which promote their traditional living needs.

It is my hope that these charges can be reviewed and overturned. The Smangus people have resided there for many generations and many are outraged that this situation has come to this.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Lau

Student of San Jose State University , San Jose, California

To The Taiwanese Government Officials:

I urge the Taiwanese Government to reconsider the crimes that have been put forth on the Smangus people. The verdict is short-sided with only one perspective. The legalities alone are unjust. Land rights were guaranteed to the Smangus. Under section 4, article 15 of the Forestry Act, the Smangus was given the rights to any resource that their territory provided for traditional uses. However, the Taiwanese Government did not carry out their agreement. When the time came for the Smangus to utilize wood materials for rebuilding their village for repairs, the Government penalized the Smangus.

When reading about the Smangus people and their situation with their land rights, my heart sank. The Smangus are not asking for much. They just want to live in their ancestral lands in peace like they were promised. Instead of the Smangus being punished for trying to rebuild their village, they should be encouraged because they are an important part of Taiwan. It is necessary to maintain and uphold the native Taiwanese people and their traditions not only as a part of the history and magnificence of Taiwan, but to able to share those traditions with the entire world. Taiwan should be proud of the Smangus and all the efforts being made to keep their culture alive.

Please, take a step back and think of the impacts that can be made if the Smangus are found guilty. Again, it is everyone's responsibility to ensure the success of aboriginal peoples, such as the Smangus. They have given up so much, so let's all give back to the original people of the lands.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Melissa Keasey

Student of San Jose State University, California

Concerns for the Smangus people...

To whom it may concern:


I find it truly sad that such innocent people are being accused of a "crime" when they really did nothing wrong. What seems to be an act of burglary from your perspective should be further investigated and considered from another standpoint.

The Smangus people have been living on this land for a significant amount of years and have always acted as well-intentioned people and obeyed all of the laws. Unfortunately, they are now left helpless in a situation where they are observed as "thieves." The remains that were taken were a part of the aboriginal people's territory, which gives them the right to keep for traditional living needs (in respect to Section 4, Article 15 of the Forestry Act).

I feel that this situation is based on a biased perspective and will only prevail due to lies and false beliefs. These people should not be punished for their actions and have already proven innocence with the support of the Forestry Act. To accuse these people of something that so out of line is like disregarding several generations of significant aboriginal history. If these people are charged guilty, then I think its time to challenge the effectiveness of this legal system.

I hope that this case will be based on a fair judgment and that the Smangus people and Taiwan authorities can come to an understanding.

Thank you for your time.

Paul Bautista

Student of San Jose State University, California

Support for the people of Smangus by Dr. Jon Corbett

I first visited Smangus in 2005. Rarely in my travels have I encountered such hospitable, warm and generous people. I remember with great joy evenings by the fire eating crushed millet and wild honey, singing songs and laughing together.

To hear about their current predicament deeply concerns me. I would like to offer my support for the Smangus people in battling the apparent injustice of this incident.

I urgently call upon the Taiwanese government to reconsider their hasty actions in the manner in which they are treating the people of Smangus. It is the culture, spirit and hope embodied in these people (as well as members of all 12 Indigenous Tribes throughout the island) that contribute to making Taiwan such a diverse and resilient state. Please do not undermine this for the sake of bureaucratic rhetoric.

Jon Corbett, PhD.

Assistant ProfessorCommunity,
Culture and Global Studies,
University of British Columbia-Okanagan,3333
University Way,Kelowna,
B.C., Canada, V1Y 6A2

Support from around the world: Dr. Teresa Tao's support for Smangus people

I would like to support Smangus people as a lecturer in the Department of Geography at University of Toronto, Canada by adding the following message. Please provide only my English name. Thanks

Teresa
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A letter to Taiwanese Authorities:

I am a lecturer in geography at University of Toronto, Canada and one of the authors of "Guidelines for Tourism in Parks and Protected Areas of East Asia", published by IUCN – The World Conservation Union. My specialization is sustainable tourism development and resource management in indigenous communities. I have worked with Smangus people in 2004 on ecotourism development.

I would like to join Dr. Jeanine Pfeiffer, Dr. William T. Hipwell, and Dr. Kelly Bannister to add my support to the villagers' request of dropping the adjudication of the first instance made by Taiwan Hsin-Chu District Court.

In order to effectively manage mountain forest o n an extensive scale, Forestry Bureau needs the aid and human resources of local indigenous communities who are born and brought up there and familiar with mountain forests and topography . It is the time to establish a mutually beneficial and respectful partnership with local indigenous communities .

The community began the planning and development of ecotourism more than ten years ago. Their interpretation program of local natural and cultural features and conservation concepts has changed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of tourists in pro-environmental way. The tourism related activities in the community have been sustainably managed in way of supporting conservation and providing quality tourism. Full local participation and money generated has been evenly distributed within the community under their traditional culture Gaga (communal mechanism). As a result, it was chosen as the model tribal community by the Council of Indigenous People, Execurive Yuan. If this event was not handled properly, it would jeopardize other tribes ' confidence to the committment made by Chen's government of establishing a new parternship with indigenous communities in Taiwan.

Sincerely,Dr. Teresa Tao
Department of Geography
University of Toronto
Canada

Support from around the world: Dr. Geoffrey Wall's incoming letter!

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 6:29 AM
Subject: Smangus

To Whom It May Concern

Various colleagues have expressed concern to me about the current situation in Smangus. Circumstances (I am currently in an airport awaiting a flight from North America to Europe to give a keynote address on sustainable development at an international conference) prevent me from accessing detailed information on the Smangus situation as well from preparing an articulate message. However, if what I have been told is correct - that individuals are to be punished severely for using a windfall resulting from typhoon damage on land within their territory - I would urge reconsideration of the severe sanctions that are being applied and a reopening of dialogue. Regardless of the rights of the case, I suggest that imposition of severe sanctions may do more damage than good, harming relationships between aboriginal peoples and mainstream society. As someone who has worked with aboriginal people in many parts of the world, including Taiwan, and have visited Smangus, I suggest a careful reconsideration of the case may be merited and that it may be that the "heavy hand of the law" is not always the best way to deal with such siruations.

Dr. Geoffrey Wall
Faculty of Envoronmental Studies
University of Waterloo Waterloo,
Ontario N2L 3G1
Canada

Smangus friends need your help‎ !!by Dr. Jeanine Pfeiffer(Science and Society Program, University of California at Davis)

To the Taiwanese Authorities:

It is of great concern that I, and my colleagues at UC Davis, hear of the gravely misinformed policies and irresponsible actions of the Hsinchu Forest District Office and the Forestry Bureau towards members of the Tayal/Smangus community.

The traditional rights of Native communities such as the Tayal in Smangus over their ancestral lands - and the biological diversity within those ancestral lands - are internationally recognized by academics and agencies familiar with indigenous history, culture, and law.

The survival of an indigenous community such as the Tayal is deeply connected with their ancestral lands: to deny, or to undermine their biocultural heritage is a very short-sighted policy. A wiser policy would recognize and protect aboriginal cultural groups -including the Tayal - because Native cultural groups are what make the Hsinchu Forest District a unique and culturally rich region.

When I visited Taiwan in December 2006, and traveled to the Hsinchu forest, I was greatly impressed with the sophistication of the cultural and ecological tourism programs offered by the Tayal/Smangus communities, and by other aboriginal groups in the district. It gives me great sorrow to hear that these programs are threatened by the Taiwanese governments.

A well-educated and just Taiwanese government would support the Tayal and their traditional rights, in order to ensure the future political, social, cultural, and economic sustainability and prosperity of the Hsinchu Forest Region. Instead of fighting over one tree, let us all cooperate to protect the trees, the forest, and - most especially - the aboriginal peoples whose lives are so deeply connected with the forest.

Dr. Jeanine Pfeiffer

Science and Society Program, University of California at Davis

Dr. Kelly Bannister and Dr. Kerry R. Foresman's Incoming letter

By Dr. Kelly Bannister :

Adjunct Professor,

School of Environmental Studies

University of Victoria, BC ,Canada.

I am saddened to learn about this situation with the Smangus community andI am writing to add my support to the villagers' request to be granted a"not guilty" plea. In this email, am speaking as a Board member and Chairof the Ethics Committe of the International Society of Ethnobiology. Frommy personal and professional interactions with people of Smangus and withthe Taiwan universitiy and ngo colleagues copied on this email, I knowthere is great integrity in all your work and you have always maintainedand striven for highly respectful and ethical standards in yourrelationship with Indigenous peoples, government and the local andinternational scientific communities. Indeed, your large delegation fromTaiwan last November made a tremendous contribution to developing a newCode of Ethics for the International Society of Ethnobiology and ensuringits translation to Chinese. See http://ise.arts.ubc.ca/ethics.html

I cannot believe that Smangus villers would purposely act unethically and illegally. There appears to be a logical explanation for taking thecontroversial windfall for their use, and indeed their rationale andconduct seems reasonable under the circumstances. I strongly urgeofficials to accept the "not guilty plea" and use this situtation as apostive opportunity to strengthen communications between government andvilligers and, if needed, develop an agreed protocol for if such asituation arises in future so that all parties can interact respectfully.I have had great admiration for the Taiwan government in supportingTaiwan's Indigenous peoples in the recent years. I hope my admiration cancontinue and not to be diminished by the outcome of this troubling event.

Sincerely,Kelly Bannister

*******************************
Kelly Bannister, M.Sc., Ph.D.Director,
POLIS Project on Ecological Governance
Adjunct Professor, School of Environmental Studies
University of Victoria

Address:
PO Box 3050, University House 4
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC V8W 3R4

tel:472-5016
fax:472-5060
website: www.polisproject.org

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By Dr. Kerry Foresman:

Professor of Biology and Wildlife Biology
Division of Biological Sciences
The University of Montana

http://www.umt.edu/oip/factravelresearch/foresman.htm

I am very sorry to hear that this event has occurred and that these individuals are being prosecuted. I would be glad to add my name to thosewho protest this prosecution. The last time I was in Smangus Lahwy videotaped me speaking about the cypress trees and the villagers reverence forthese forests. Though this doesn't deal specifically with Zelkova I did talkabout the importance of these forests to the villagers and it would seemappropriate for my talk to be posted if Lahwy still has this video. I can'tread any of the postings on this web site since they are all in Chinese; isan English version available?

It is very nice to hear from you even though it is about a problem likethis. Please keep me informed about this case. I think about everyone often.

Kerry R. Foresman
Professor of Biology and Wildlife Biology
Division of Biological Sciences
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812 406-243-4492