[7] The island continued to be occupied by small communities for the subsequent 5000 years, with pottery (usually associated with Melanesian peoples) found at two sites, Mui (East coast of Mabuiag) and Mask Cave (on adjacent islet, Pulu) dating from approximately 2000 years ago.

During the past 400–500 years large, highly structured mounds of dugong bone, as well as shell and stone arrangements provide evidence for emerging totemic divisions[8] The "Footprints before me – Torres Strait Island Missions and Communities" webpage tells the following history of Mabuiag Island and the people living there.

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

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

Gœmulgaw Ya, is specifically the dialect of Mabuyaagi (Mabuiag) and Badhu (Badu), there not being a traditional name for the language as a whole.

By 1898, Mabuiag people were labouring on pearling luggers for wages, while many followed work to Thursday Island and further to the mainland.

[23] The incident prompted a review of security on the island and an inquiry into the sexual attack was launched by the Government of Queensland.

Everson ordered, however, that as Kris had spent 785 days in pre-sentence custody, he could apply for immediate parole.

[25] When the nurse called her Queensland Health superiors on Thursday Island the morning after the rape, she was told to "put it behind you and get back to work".

The nurse left the island that day to seek medical help; Queensland Health immediately stopped her pay – it was only reinstated when the details were published in The Australian.