Mabo Day is usually one of the biggest events for Mer Island, home to the late land rights campaigner Eddie Koiki Mabo. But today's commemorations will be very different.
Local councillor Aven Noah said in an ordinary year there would be a week of cultural activities culminating in a big celebration paying tribute to "Grandad Koiki" and other plaintiffs in the case."It's all one big festival that we celebrate to remember those who fought long and hard in recognition of the land where we all come from, our inheritance."Just 20 people, predominantly senior elders, will take part in official proceedings.
"Twenty people will meet, we'll have a flag-raising ceremony, we'll have a prayer to give us a blessing for the day, we'll have wreath-laying, we'll have speeches," Cr Noah said.Eddie Mabo died in January 1992, five months before the High Court handed down its historic decision."We'll come to their gravesite and visit them and put flowers, and then that's all we can do in this time due to circumstances," Cr Noah said.
A virtual Mabo Day ceremony has been organised in Townsville, home to many Torres Strait Islanders including Eddie Mabo's daughter Gail Mabo.
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