The Badulgal people's ownership of Badu and surrounding islands in the Torres Strait was recognised in a native title determination on 1 February 2014, when the Queensland Government handed over to the Badhulgal traditional owners freehold title to 9,836 hectares (24,310 acres) of land.

Kalaw Lagaw Ya is the traditional language used on the Western and Central islands of the Torres Strait.

The Kalaw Lagaw Ya language region includes the territory within the local government boundaries of the Torres Shire Council.

At the peak of the shell industry in the late 1950s, the Badu fleet of 13 boats employed a workforce of 200 providing work for many men, even from other islands as well.

[14] On 1 February 2014, the Queensland Government handed over to the Badhulgal traditional owners freehold title to 9,836 hectares (24,310 acres) of land on Badu Island,[6] ending a struggle for recognition dating back to 1939.

[19] Storing significant cultural artefacts, the centre also provides skills development and training.