Torres Strait IslanderHistory & Culture

By Krystle Turner (Student ID), Gemma Tyack 14603370 & Joanna Ursino (Student ID)

Identity

Retrieved from http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/fastfacts/tsiFlag.html

Torres Strait Islander people are often mistaken for Aboriginal Australians even though they are of different origin, history and way of life (Maximillan, 2001).

The Torres Strait Islands are situated between the tip of Australia and Papua New Guinea, a country that Torres Strait Islanders identify with more easily (Lui 1996).

History

• Torres Strait Islanders were treated similarly to the Aboriginal Australians during the invasion and European Colonisation of Australia.

• They were treated as ‘non-citizens’ and every aspect of their lives were controlled by Government of Queensland.

ReferencesImages:Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission(2000) retrieved

http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/fastfacts/tsiFlag.html

Texts:Lui, L., (1996) Cultural Identity and Development in the Torres Strait Islands in Sarawasti, B.

(Ed) (1996) Interface of Cultural Development http://ignca.nic.in/ls 03009 html (retrieved 05/1203)

Shnukal, A. 2001Torres Strait Islanders, Bundle, Maximilian (ed) Multicultural Queensland 2001:100 years, 100 Communities, A century of contributions, Brisbane, The State of Queensland (Department of Premier and Cabinet)

Kayn Lag (New Place) eprint.uq.edu.au/archive/00003144/01/Singe_Chapter_1.pdf pp1-

19 Chamarette, C. 2000 Terra Nullius Then and Now: Mabo, Native Title and Reconciliation in 2000 in Australian Psychologist Vol.35 No 2 pp 167 -172

Mabo video week 10/11

Summary

• Identity – The background and origins of the Torres Strait Islander people.

• History – How Torres Strait Islanders were treated during the white invasion and how Koiki Mabo gained rightful ownership of the Murray Islands through the High Court of Australia.