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Striking Back
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During the 1880s, some Murray Islanders bought their own boats and worked in the pearling industry.

Clan owned boats, with names like 'Tagai' and 'Meriam', soon began competing with privately owned pearling luggers.

However, many years later, in January 1936, the Meriam pearlers went on strike, in support of home rule, freedom from the Aboriginal Protection Act, and in the hope the Commonwealth would take control of the Torres Strait from Queensland.

Supported by the Anglican Bishop, and given moral support by two Murray Islander priests, the strike was organised at sea, and was timed to coincide with the local Protector's annual recruiting drive for the clan owned boats.
...We are closed in a box...
Text
1936
Chief Protector of Aborigines, Mer, Murray Island, pearling industry, Protection Act, strike
...we were being exploited...
Image and Text
1953-57
Department of Native Affairs, Exile, 1952, pearling industry, Queensland
Exile
Topic
1953-1957
activism, exile, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Mer, Murray Island, Murray Island Council, pearling industry, Torres Strait
The Native Problem in Queensland
Text
1937
Department of Native Affairs, Mer, Protection Act, strike, Torres Strait
A History of the Strike
Text
1930s-1980s
home rule, Malo's laws, Mer, Stars of Tagai, strike
Marou Mimi Diary
Image and Text
 
Mabo Case, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island, Stars of Tagai
Chief Protector of Aboriginals to Protector
Image and Text
Aug, 17, 1937
Chief Protector of Aborigines, Meriam history
Origin and Cause of Discontent
Text
1936
Chief Protector of Aborigines, Christianity, pearling industry, Protection Act, Sharp, Dr. Nonie, strike, Torres Strait Islanders
Diver's Lament
Audio
 
language, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabuiag Island, pearling industry, songs, Torres Strait Islanders
Education & Early Work
Topic
 
education, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Murray Island, pearling industry
Resistance
Topic
 
activism, land rights, land rights, resistance, strike, unionism
Deputy Chief Protector
Text
Feb, 22, 1936
Chief Protector of Aborigines, Meriam history, Protection Act, racism
C. O'Leary to Chief Protector of Aboriginals
Image
Oct, 9, 1936
Chief Protector of Aborigines, Queensland Government, White Australia Policy