Taiwan issues first-ever apology to indigenous people for history of 'pain and mistreatment'

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- For the first time in the nation's history, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen issued a formal apology Monday to the indigenous people of Taiwan for their enduring centuries of "pain and mistreatment" at the hands of the country's power brokers.

Speaking at her presidential office surrounded by aboriginal leaders, Tsai said the nation has made numerous efforts to correct injustices of the past but noted an official apology was necessary.

"Today, we are taking another step forward. To all indigenous peoples of Taiwan: On behalf of the government, I express to you our deepest apology," the president said. "For the four centuries of pain and mistreatment you have endured, I apologize to you on behalf of the government."

About 2 percent of Taiwan's population of 23 million, roughly 540,000, are aborigines whose ancestors first began arriving in the country about 6,000 years ago. Three of about a dozen indigenous groups -- the Amis, Atayal and Paiwan -- comprise …