Photo Credit: Carli Willis. Retrieved from sbs.com.au
Excerpt from sbs.com.au
Chairman of the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Pedro Stephen AM, said the journey of the Elders would eventually lead to the establishment of one of the nations leading arts and cultural centres on the islands – GAB Titui.
Gab Titui recently celebrated its 20th birthday, marking 20 years of cultural sovereignty.
Mr Stephen said he was one of the centres first committee members.
“[The Elders] wanted a holding place, a place where everyone can come together and sit on a mat and talk about cultural maintenance, talk about showcasing the unique cultures of the Torres Strait,” he said.
Mr Stephen said the Elders had a place in mind called ‘The Four Winds’.
“The resident administrator used to reside here and administer the Native Affairs services throughout our region from this particular location.”
“It holds very significant history for the region.”
The Department of Native Affairs administered and enforced racist laws and policies upon Indigenous people until 1966 on Waiben (Thursday Island), when the department was abolished.
