Indigenous participation and knowledge justice in deliberative systems: Flooding and wild creek remediation controversies in Taiwan

Abstract

Research on deliberative systems with detailed discussions on the deliberative features of Indigenous activism is limited. The systemic approach of deliberative democracy argues that activism constitutes an integral part of public deliberation. Drawing on the controversy on flooding and wild creek remediation on Orchid Island, Taiwan, this article explored how Tao tribespeople have used deliberative ways to influence political processes at multiple scales and improve the democratising quality of deliberative systems. Tao tribespeople engaged in communication and activated deliberation across scales when facing the government’s dominant policy framing and expert claims with limited discursive space. Tao activists use the virtual community as both an internal and external communication platform and engaged in transmitting policy ideas and visualizing Tao traditional knowledge system and situated practices to address knowledge injustice. This article illuminates connectivity of Indigenous deliberation and activism at multiple scales. These connectivity contribute to shaping knowledge production and dynamics of governance practices.