Concern raised over border treatment

THIS is about the Torres Strait islanders and my people in the South Fly, especially Pawhouturi LLG, where I come from.
We are nomadic tribes moving from one area to another to sustain life and defend ourselves from nature’s disasters.
While doing that, we fight to claim land and other valuable assets such as swamps for survival.
Some of our ancestors feared for their lives and moved to the Torres Strait islands to settle there.
Legend has it that land was connected and some tribes moved, following the Pawhouturi River to the Torres Strait islands. The sea came up and the traditional route was covered.
To this day, our grandparents still know how to get to Yam Island, Darnley Island, Saibai Island, etc.
We speak the same language as the islanders to this day.
The culture of exchange was a traditional way of helping each other.
I am concerned at how Austral-ian border patrols are treating us when we want to exercise our culture and traditions.
Furthermore, authorities like the South Fly administrator and Government agencies regulating and controlling the Border Treaty arrangement with Australian Border Division should let the village people and Torres Strait islanders dictate the arrangement.
Australian government authorities must have the courtesy
to respect the villages along the coast of South Fly as they are part and parcel of a bigger family with Torres Strait islanders.
To conclude, Pawhouturi River villages Ngau, Wamrong, Sebe, Kibuli and Kurunti must participate in the treaty arrangement. This is so the culture and tradition of the past is brought forward for our new generation to enjoy and share ideas for a better tomorrow.

LB, Kibs City