Please Allow Me To Say My Final Goodbye!

The most common denominator amongst all young men, particularly those within indigenous communities, is that we are raised not by our fathers but by our uncles.

To many of us, such as myself, it is because our father’s are not present during the upbringing of our childhood. Some see this as a downfall, others see this as normalcy, culturally speaking, this is what happens whether our biological fathers are present or not.

Maway (Maternal Uncle), step in to take on the role of being a father, mentor, adviser and friend. They see this as their duty to take on the responsibility to raise the young man, teach them how to hunt and provide for the community, and equip them with necessary tools to take with them later on in life.

The role of Maway is vital and important for the growth and wellbeing of the young man. Their presence in our lives are much more significant than that of our actual father’s.

This example is demonstrated throughout our Yatha Pathay (first shave) initiation process of when a young boy is elevated within the community to become a young man. Maway is ever so present and constant throughout the journey of this young warrior.

Sadly, at the end of last month, I lost one of those significant men in my life. He wasn’t just an uncle, he was my father figure, my mentor, my role model, my cultural adviser, he was my God-Father, more importantly, my friend.

His loss has left a gaping hole within our family. The only man we all went to for cultural advice is no longer with us.

To honour him, I along with my wife and children would like to attend his funeral in the Torres Strait. But the cost to get back home is astronomical. So from the bottom of my heart, I am asking you for your help through a simple donation. However big or small, my heart is always filled with gratitude.

I am hoping to raise around $5,000 that will assist with return airfares, charter flights, fuel for the boats and to help our grieving families with financial needs.

I never ask for much. I am more of a giving person. But today, through this time of grief, pain and sorrow, I am now asking you for your help.

Please allow me and my family to pay our respects to the man that raised me, the person who instilled all these wonderful values and qualities within me, who’s shining star was always a light that guided me on my path and helped me become the person I am today.

With so much love,

Mick Bani

Yabina Kaapu Kulay Sika Susul Pagas Wagel Mudhan Arayk.