The art of Alick Tipoti, who is part of this region’s Maluilgal people, is influenced by traditional turtleshell masks like the le op. A flag representing this region’s people, who traditionally lived on Daru Island, has a blue stripe with green stripes on either side as well as a dhari (“DAH-ree”) headdress. The Kalaw Lagaw Ya (“KAHL-ow LAH-gow YAH”) and Meriam languages spoken in this region have influenced its Brokan creole, spoken on islands like Saibai and Mer. Eddie (*) Mabo (“MAH-boh”), an activist from this region whose most populous island is Thursday Island, brought a case voiding terra nullius. The Cape York peninsula is now home to communities of people indigenous to this nearby region of Melanesian descent. For 10 points, name this region whose “Islanders” are grouped with Australian Aboriginals as Indigenous Australians. ■END■
ANSWER: Torres Strait [or Zenadh Kes; or Zenadth Kes; or Magani Malu Kes; accept Torres Strait Islanders; prompt on Australia or Queensland; prompt on Oceania; prompt on Melanesia; prompt on the Coral Sea; prompt on Thursday Island or TI until read]
<Benjamin McAvoy-Bickford, Geography>
= Average correct buzz position