Exile
Intelligence, determination, ambition - Koiki displayed all three from an early age.
But another trait emerged in his adolescence; an obstinate refusal to tow the line, to knuckle under to the powers that be.
When he was 16 years old, the Murray Island Council found Koiki guilty of being drunk; he was also accused of having an illicit relationship with a Murray Island girl.
The Council expelled him from Mer, for twelve months.
In exile, Mabo found work as a deckhand and a diver on the Adiana, a boat which was part of the Torres Straits pearling fleet.
Letter re refusal for Mabo to visit Mer
Image
Jun, 7, 1973
Department of Aboriginal & Islander Affairs (DAIA), exile, Mabo, Edward Koiki
...we were being exploited...
Image and Text
1953-57
Department of Native Affairs, Exile, 1952, pearling industry, Queensland
...12 months exile...
Text
1951
Chief Protector of Aborigines, Department of Native Affairs, exile, Exile, 1952, gaol, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Murray Island Council, pearling industry, Protection Act
...The story of Eddie's exile...
Text
1973-1974
Department of Aboriginal & Islander Affairs (DAIA), exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Murray Island, Murray Island Council
...Telegrams...
Image
1973
exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island Council
...a dangerous person...
Audio
1973
communism, Exile Continues, 1973, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island Council, Queensland Government, Special Branch
...the islands were mine...
Text
1977
exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Mabo Case, Murray Island Council, Queensland Government
Benny & Maiga's Son
Topic
Jan, 2, 1992
Brisbane, cancer, death, diaries, inheritance, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga
Diver's Lament
Audio
language, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabuiag Island, pearling industry, songs, Torres Strait Islanders
...I started to question the system...
Audio
1953
activism, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Queensland Government
...I was the first one to go to the water...
Text
1953-1957
employment, Kudub, George, Mabo, Edward Koiki, pearling industry
...Nothing's going to keep me away...
Text
exile, Exile Continues, 1973, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Murray Island Council
Topic
annexation, Murray Island Council, Murray Island Native Court, Queensland
Pearl Fishers & Their Times
Topic
colonisation, fishing, pearling industry, sea rights, Torres Strait Islanders
