Tishiko King’s journey of responsibility towards her environment began during childhood, as she shared special moments with her grandfather watching sunsets over the ocean at Masig Island, a small community in the Torres Strait. He instilled in her a profound connection to the sea, teaching her that caring for it would lead her home. Although young at the time, King sensed the significance of these teachings, which encompassed the deep ties her people have with the ocean and their heritage.
A proud Kulkalaig woman, King pursued her passion for marine biology, studying both Western and traditional science. In 2020, after a long absence of two decades, she returned to her homeland, only to find it changing drastically due to climate impacts. One evening, a fierce king tide exposed buried ancestral bones, an experience that was both heart-wrenching and symbolic of the community’s struggles against rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and the loss of cultural sites.
Over time, King redirected her work to advocate for Torres Strait communities, highlighting that the effects of climate change they endure foreshadow impending challenges for mainland Australia. She stressed the urgent need for awareness of these issues, noting that affluent coastal areas are on the brink of facing similar floods and destruction.
As an advocate for ocean protection, King is keenly aware of the lack of representation for Torres Strait Islander communities in environmental discussions. She insists that any conversation about the ocean must include the knowledge and stewardship of those who have nurtured these lands for generations. King believes integrating traditional wisdom into modern practices is crucial for fostering a comprehensive understanding of environmental protection.
Her commitment to her culture, community, and the fight against climate change is being showcased in Patagonia’s documentary Sea Country — Malu Lag, aimed at amplifying the voices of frontline communities facing climate adversity. Through this platform, King hopes to inspire action against the climate crisis and draw attention to the resilience of communities like her own.
In reflecting on what drives her efforts, she simply states, “I’ve got saltwater pumping in my veins,” capturing her deep-rooted connection to the ocean and her unwavering determination to defend it.