Cultural Talk | Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai

FREE ADMISSION | GALLERY OPEN: Wednesday to Sunday 10.30am – 3.30pm | Closed Monday, Tuesday & Public Holidays

"Our Kupay (Birthright) our heritage, our language, our kinship, our identity and culture gives us the foundation to stand on and step forward. This forms a vital link from the past into the future." Gabriel Bani

Join us at 10.30am on Saturday 1 March for a Cultural Talk with Gabriel Bani for Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai..
Free event | All welcome| Bookings are essential | Phone 131 872 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book your place.
RSVP Wednesday 27 February

Gabriel Bani is a direct descendent of Athe Bari, and the Kuyku garka (Head man) of the Major Tribe of Wagadagam, a sovereign nation of people of the Torres Strait Islands, as well as a cultural consultant, advisor and councillor of Torres Shire Council. He has appeared on several documentaries and TV program, including Our Stories on SBS Australia.

“My tribal totem is Koedal (crocodile), my tribal wind is the Kuki Guuba (Northwest Wind), and my tribal tongue is ‘Mabuyag’ which is a dialect of the Kala Lagaw Ya, the Western Island language. I speak my native tongue ‘Kala Lagaw Ya’ as my first language, Torres Strait Creole my second, and English is my third language.

Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai is an exhibition developed by NorthSite Contemporary Arts (GImuy/Cairns) and touring Australia in partnership with Gab Titui Cultural Centre/Torres Strait Regional Authority (Waiben/Thursday Island) and Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program.

Exhibition on display 1 March – 25 May 2025

Image: Gabriel Bani. Photo by George Serras