Post by Puljaljuyan Ljavur

a picul nua pinapenguaq (The power of healing)：The contemporary situation of geothermal development in #Jinlun river basin #indigenous tribal #communities Energy transition is not just a technical challenge; it is a question of #justice and #sovereignty. I had deeply honor of sharing the story from my community, the Jinlun River Basin Tribes, including my hometown - the Tjavuqel tribe, located in the east coast of Taiwan, at the #IndigenousGeothermalSymposium in #Calgary 2026, host by Geothermal Rising For over 2,000 years, our ancestors have lived in harmony with the hot springs of the Jinlun river basin, using them for healing and restoration. Today, as #Taiwan pursues its "2050 Net-Zero Emissions" goal, our ancestral lands have become a focal point for geothermal exploration. However, "#GreenEnergy" should not come at the cost of Indigenous rights. In Jinlun river basin area, we face several critical challenges: • Proximity and Density: #Geothermal projects are being proposed less than one kilometer from residential areas, raising concerns about local carrying capacity and quality of life. • A Gap in Governance: Taiwan’s current legal framework often reduces Indigenous communities to a "consultative" status rather than recognizing them as independent legal entities with decision-making authority. • Meaningful Benefit Sharing: True partnership goes beyond sponsorship for local events or entry-level jobs. We are calling for co-ownership, shared governance, and a seat at the decision-making table. To address these issues, the Jinlun River Basin Tribal Alliance was established in 2024. Our goal is clear: to ensure that developers and the government respect tribal sovereignty and that Indigenous peoples are co-decision-makers in geothermal policy. We invite our international partners to stand with us. Let’s build a future where renewable energy development is rooted in mutual understanding, respect, and the recognition of Indigenous land rights. Indigenous names must be written into the first page of Taiwan’s geothermal history—not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental part of it.