This article does not attempt to portray the aboriginal people in any particular way. It attempts to remain neutral in its portrayal of the Torres Strait Islanders. This article recognizes that Islanders in rural areas have different needs than those living in urban areas. The government will provide funding for implementing this plan. It is an excellent plan, but could be made better by the inclusion of cultural sensitivity within the programs that it outlines. The plan promises to give aboriginals better access to public programs. This suggests that access is inadequate at the current time.

4. Culture

Racisimnoway (2008). Australian Communities: Torres Strait Islander People. Retrieved February 28, 2008 at http://www.racismnoway.com.au/classroom/factsheets/53.html.

This article explains the language and cultural traits of the Islander, both on and off the island. It examines family structure, family ties and the traditions of the Torres Strait Islanders. The Torres Strait Island people have a special day when they open the tombs and have a national day of grief and mourning for the departed. They have two distinctive cultural divisions, but many different sectors within these groups. Each of the islands has its own council.

This is a factual, rather than an opinionated article. It presents facts about the Torres Island people. It is not biased and discusses many cultural aspects of the Torres Strait Islander people. It portrays the aboriginal people as a diverse cultural group, but with common ties that link all of them. They are portrayed as having close family ties. They have distinct nuances in the individual island cultures, but certain common traditions and traits link them together. This was a well-presented factual article.

5. Social - family Social Structure

Ban, P., Mam, S., Elu, M., Trevallion, I. & Reid, a. (1993). Torres Strait Islander family life. Family Matters. No.35 August 1993, pp.16-21. Retrieved February 28, 2008 at http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fm1/fm35pb.html.

This article examines Torres Island social and family structure. It attempts to explain the reasons behind many Torres Strait Islander Family customs. The reasons presented by this author are largely unsubstantiated and only represent the ideas presented by the author. The author attempts to provide reasonable explanations for many of the family customs, but this opinion is that of an outsider.

This article is biased toward the author's own opinions and explanations for family customs and social structure. It portrays the aboriginal people as having close family ties. However, some of the customs are judged as unfair by the author, especially regarding matters of property rights and inheritance of property. This article attempts to present a factual, non-biased opinion, but the fact that the author does not understand the customs from an "insider" perspective is apparent throughout the article.

6. Politics - Government Policies

Stephenson, M. (2006). Queensland's Indigenous Cultural Heritage Legislation: A Critique. Journal of South Pacific Law. 10 (2).Retrieved February 27, 200 at http://www.paclii.org/journals/fJSPL/vol10no2/4.shtml.

The preservation of indigenous heritage has been a key area of concern for the Australian government. Cultural Heritage Acts help to preserve all areas of the indigenous cultural heritage. However, one of the key problems is the enforcement of these provisions. This article provides a biased opinion on the effectiveness of legislation to protect native cultures. However, it consists of mostly factual information on the various pieces of legislation that were drawn to protect the rights of the Torres Strait Islanders.

7. Education - Group and Individual

Batrouney, T. & Soriano, G. (2001). Parenting Torres. Family Matters. No. 21. Winter 2001.

This article provides a history of the cultural influences of the Torres people. It examines their parenting style and how traditional cultural elements are passed from generation to generation. The Torres are considered excellent communities in which to raise children. Although, much of the article reflected the opinions of the authors, it helped to gain a thorough understanding of the importance of Torres cultural heritage in how they raise their children. The Torres have large extended families that are responsible for raising the children.

This article was well written and provided an intimate view of the Torres and their family structure. I found this article to be universally helpful in understanding Torres family ties and traditions. This article provides an excellent framework for understanding...

The authors supported their claims well.
8. Politics

Jull, P. (1997). The Political Future of the Torres Strait. Indigenous Law Bulletin. Retrieved February 28, 2008 at http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/ILB/1997/98.html.

One of the key points of contention among the Torres is their wish to be considered sovereign from other Australian aboriginal groups. This article sites many challenges in their ability to do this. There are many groups that threaten their environment and autonomy, particularly regarding the passage of U.S. warships through the straits. This article was highly opinionate and the author carefully selected his sources to support his topic. However, the article still many relevant points about the difficulties that the Torres face in retaining their independence and autonomy from other aboriginal groups. This article was predictive in nature and does not appear to reflect the actual happenings.

Conclusion

Prior to beginning this study of the Torres Strait Islands people, I have the perception that they were like many other indigenous cultures. I imagined social problems, poverty, and conditions that promoted poor health. Low educational levels would make many of the Torres people unemployable. This is a stereotypical view of many native cultures, not just those on the Torres Islands.

Through my research and exploration of available literature, I found that there are differing opinions regarding the social status of the islanders, even from the same primary source of information. This highlights the importance of popular opinion in the formation of these stereotypical images. Upon conducting this research, it would not be difficult to separate the differing opinions into generalized facts. It may be that differing reports exist due to differences on the various islands.

Modern Torres Islanders are similar to many other members of the global community that have been subject to the culture-stripping colonialism of the British. However, as an employer, there may be a time when I have to integrate Islanders, such as the Torres into the work environment. The Torres are a highly integrated people, in terms of acculturation. They still have traditional songs, dances, and a strong sense of family. I could see one of the major adaptations the need to have a flexible policy regarding family leave and the need to attend family affairs. This is likely to be the most important issue to the integration of the Torres into the work environment. One may also allow the Torres to play their traditional music, as long as it does not interfere with the workplace.