Torres News Chairperson’s Column Edition 8 October 2010 I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of Kaiwalagal on whose land I am writing from and all other traditional owners and elders past and present throughout our region.
Incoming Government and new Federal Member As everyone knows the Australian Government elections are finished and I would like to congratulation the new Federal Member for Leichhardt Mr Warren Entsch. The TSRA has retained the same Minister for Families and Housing, Communities Services, Indigenous Affairs the Hon Jenny Macklin and the TSRA Board and administration look forward to working with both Minister Macklin and the member for Leichhardt to continue our progress to closing the gaps for indigenous disadvantage. IAC Meeting The Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC) to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPC) is meeting this week on Thursday Island. The role of the IAC is to advise the Minister for SEWPC on the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act), taking into account the significance of Indigenous people's knowledge of land management. Advice is also provided to the Minister’s Department about Indigenous issues as they relate to the role of the department, excluding where an existing statutory committee exists to provide such advice. The IAC is the peak indigenous Advisory Committee to the Minister and we are very pleased they decided to meet in our region. The Torres Strait is fortunate to have had representation on this Committee for over 8 years and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Vic McGrath for his hard work and dedication representing the Torres Strait on the IAC, and to also congratulate Mr Frank Loban on his recent appointment to the IAC. 12th National Indigenous Remote Media Festival This is being hosted by TSIMA on Thursday Island this week. The TSRA was proud to support the Festival by contributing to travel costs for seven Torres Strait community Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services (RIBS) staff to attend from the outer islands. This is great opportunity to showcase our region and I look forward to meeting some of the Indigenous media throughout this week. Regional Sea Claim Determination Justice Finn of the Federal Court of Australia handed down his final orders on 23 August regarding the determination of the Torres Strait Regional Sea Claim. In his final orders, Justice Finn made a positive determination of native title which is recognition by the laws of Australia of Torres Strait of traditional rights in the sea. It was determined that non-exclusive native title rights exist over most of the sea area claimed. The determination recognises that native title holders have the right to take resources for any purpose including commercial purpose. The determination also recognises that Torres Strait islanders are one society with shared traditional laws and customs. I would like to acknowledge and thank the traditional owners, elders and interpreters who assisted the Counsel throughout this process. Their time, effort and dedication contributed to the success of the Sea Claim. The Regional Sea Claim was filed in 2001 by Torres Strait Traditional Owners from the Islands of Erub, Ugar, Mer, Naghir, Masig, Poruma, Warraber, Iama, Boigu, Saibai, Dauan, Mabuaig, Badu and Mua to the Federal Court of Australia as a combined regional sea claim on behalf of Torres Strait Islanders. All inquiries can be directed to the Native Title Office of the Torres Strait Regional Authority on telephone (07) 4069 2581. Repatriation of Erub Ancestral remains Last month the TSRA was part of a delegation that travelled to Liverpool to collect the Ancestral remains of an Erub baby girl that were removed over 160 years ago. The delegation included Mr Seriako Stephen, Chair of the Torres Strait Repatriation Working Group; Mr Ned David, Deputy Chair of the Torres Strait Repatriation Working Group (Representing the Central Islands); Mr Donald Banu, Torres Strait Regional Authority Portfolio Member for Native Title and member of the Torres Strait Repatriation Working Group (Representing the Western Islands); and Mr Kapua Gutchen, Torres Strait elder from Erub (Eastern Islands). As well as collecting the ancestral remains the delegation met with staff from Cambridge University where discussions where held around the release of remains from the Haddon collection. These discussions identified further strategies moving forward to progress repatriation of other Torres Strait ancestral remains held by Cambridge University as well as enabling the Mr Gutchen to explain the context around some of the remains currently being held. Japanese Pearling Industry Training Six Torres Strait Islanders have been selected for pearl industry training in Japan for an eight week course that commenced last month. The trainees are hosted by Ryuku Pearl Company in Ishigaki, Okinawa to undertake training in pearl seeding and other pearl farming techniques. The training program is part of a long term strategy to rebuild the pearl industry in the Torres Strait region. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the President of the Ryukyu Pearl Company, Tokashiki Kazafumi and his Board of Directors for agreeing to host the trainees in Japan. New CDEP provider has commenced in Torres Strait The new provider Community Enterprise Australia Ltd (CEA) has now commenced and TSRA is looking forward to working with them to increase employment and long term economic development opportunities in the Torres Strait. CEA is responsible for the delivery for the CDEP Program across the whole of Torres Strait. The reformed CDEP program is focussing on the key outcome of maximising employment opportunities which will result in greater economic independence for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the region. I welcome CEA to the role of CDEP provider and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes this should generate for the region.
Until the next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe. Mr John. T. Kris Chairperson Torres Strait Regional Authority