Media Release - The Masig Statement - 23 August 2022

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As part of the 85th Anniversary celebrations of the First Island Councillors Conference that took place on Masig Island on 23rd August 1937, the Masig Statement was signed and released. “This was a momentous event”, observed the Mayor of Torres Shire Council, Cr. Yen Loban. “the Masig Statement is the beginning of a new beginning, a culturally united path to regional sovereignty. It connects our past to the present, and the present to our future. It is the link that joins the heroic work of our forebears at the First Island Councillors Conference and their aspiration for selfgovernment to our aspiration for self-determination today. It enshrines our culture. It respects our history. It secures our independent future”. The Masig Statement seeks to achieve self-determination for the peoples of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area, to freely determine our political status and to freely pursue our economic, social and cultural development. In exercising our right to self-determination, we have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to our internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions. Therefore, we will create partnerships with Key Regional Stakeholders, the Queensland and Australian governments together with other relevant organisations to better equip us to work together to achieve our regional goals and aspirations; and in working together as peoples of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area obtain and safeguard our human rights enshrined in international, national and Queensland law. The 85th Anniversary Regional Celebrations hosted by Torres Strait Island Regional Council were held over 2 days at Yorke Island (Masig) commencing with our leaders providing contextual background on the history of Torres Strait Islanders and our fight for self-determination and self-governance. Torres Shire Council CEO, Mrs Dalassa Yorkston, like others who were part of this historic event and who was a signatory to both the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Masig Statement noted, “2022 is a very significant year. It is the year the Prime Minister of Australia announced the Federal Government’s formal support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and enshrining the Voice into the Australian Constitution. Prime Minister Albanese has now announced a possible timetable and starting point. It is the 30th anniversary of Mabo. It is the 30th anniversary of the Torres Strait Islander Flag. It is the 85th Anniversary of the first Councillors Conference at Masig. It is the year that the Queensland Government announced the Tracks to Treaty”.

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