On Country
Thursday Island
Waiben
Traditionally the land of the Kaurareg people, Thursday Island is located 30 kilometres from the northern tip of Cape York, Queensland. Thursday Island is colloquially known as TI and the Muralag peoples are the traditional owners of the land and seas surrounding this Island. Torres Strait Creole (Yumpla Tok) is the dominant language spoken on Thursday Island, followed by Kala Lagaw Ya (language from the western region, Torres Strait Islands) and English.
Since the 1990s, Bangarra has been fortunate to travel to TI a number of times, working with the community, nurturing important relationships and bringing works inspired by Torres Strait cultures back to Country. In 2018, Bangarra’s Rekindling Youth Program visited Thursday Island and worked with young members of this very special community.