Page 23 - Port Douglas Magazine 31

“LANGUAGE IS THE WAY HUMANS
CONVEY AND PASS DOWN STORIES

THROUGH GENERATIONS. IT IS MUCH
MORE THAN SIMPLE DAY-TO-DAY

COMMUNICATION … LANGUAGE

SHAPES OUR IDENTITY.

IT ENCAPSULATES OUR ANCESTRAL
PHOTO CREDIT: ‘Mooks’
BELIEFS, HISTORY AND VALUES.”
Alison George, Catseye Productions

and gathering techniques, and sharing in extraordinarily hypnotic THE FUTURE OF HISTORY
dreamtime stories. There’s also the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walks that
begin in the southern area of the Daintree Rainforest at Mossman Language is the way humans convey and pass down stories
Gorge, alongside guides who explain traditional bush tucker through generations. It is much more than simple day-to-day
and medicines. A visit to the Janbal Gallery in Mossman to meet communication … language shapes our identity. It encapsulates
artist ‘Binna’ Brian Swindley is a must-do activity, gaining hands- our ancestral beliefs, history and values. And, of course, it is how
on experience by joining an art and painting workshop. Heading we pass on our knowledge to future generations. Here in the Port
towards the coast, Walkabout Cultural Adventures along Cooya Douglas and Daintree region, the Kuku Yalanji language and its
Beach takes you through traditional hunting grounds with the dialects are spoken by more than 500 residents and is now also
spear-carrying Kuku Yalanji guide, Juan Walker. Here, you’ll learn one of the first regions in Australia to be teaching the Indigenous
about different foods and medicines utilised from nature, sample language to school children. By teaching the Indigenous children
some bush tucker, collect shellfish and try traditional Aboriginal their language in schools, it’s reinforcing cultural identity and
hunting practices. affirms a positive sense of self-esteem and spirit of community,
while also documenting history through songlines and Dreaming
The future of Indigenous tourism is also looking very bright – the stories. The non-indigenous children also enjoy it – learning about
Wangetti Trail (currently under construction) is pitched to be an the cultural significance of the place where they live, fostering
iconic trail through Kuku Yalanji land, enhancing conservation and understanding of an ancient culture.
protection while delivering environmental, social and economic
benefits to local communities and Queensland. About 100 kilometres As part of being the traditional owners of this beautiful land, the
in length, visitors will be able to enjoy the walking and mountain Kuku Yalanji are, above all, the cultural custodians of this region’s
biking track through the coast and hinterland from Palm Cove to soul. In 2020/21, the Year of Indigenous Tourism, we now have an
Port Douglas. The trail will provide a one-of-a-kind experience of excellent opportunity to connect with the heart of the Port Douglas
the region’s Aboriginal cultural history and stunning coastal and and Daintree, telling the stories of Australia’s First People and
hinterland scenery of the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics and share in their extraordinary culture.
Great Barrier Reef.

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 23