Proud Indigenous cultures with a long history and bright future
Cairns has long been a multicultural place with many languages, stories, lives and cultures. Around 10 per cent of Cairns people identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; some First Nations people of Cairns can trace their relationship with this land back thousands of years.
Traditional owners within the Cairns region include the Djabugay; Yirriganydji; Bulwai, Gimuy Walubara Yidinji; Bundabarra and Wadjanbarra Yidinji; Mandingalbay Yidinji; Gunggandji; Dulabed and Malanbara Yidinji; Wanyurr Majay; Mamu and Ngadjonjii peoples.
Traditional Owners from The Djabugay and Yidinji peoples encourage newcomers to Cairns to learn the stories of the past when they come to Cairns for a brighter future.
Welcome to Country
Yirriganydji (Djabugay peoples): the rainforest and the sea
Yirriganydji man Gavin Singleton, coordinates the Yirriganydji Land and Sea Rangers and is a Project Manager at Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation. He describes Cairns as a welcoming and special place for all.
In Yirrganydji Dreaming, the Rainbow Serpent is known as Gudjugudju. After shaping the landscape, Gudjugudju curled up and went to sleep at Wangal Djungay - the place where the fast-moving Dreamtime boomerang landed. This is the area now known as Double Island.
The mangroves at the northern end of the Esplanade are also a special place for the The Yirrganydji people - an Indigenous rainforest and coastal culture of the Djabugay language group of Far North Queensland, who have an intimate knowledge of the lands and waters, flora and fauna, seasons and weather. They were both a rainforest-dwelling and seafaring people, using and protecting the resources of both environments for their food, clothing and other needs.
Cairns is always a great place to be.. to live, and enjoy. The environment that we have, with the lovely mangroves, wetlands and some our great river catchments means there are a lot of places to swim, fish, picnic areas, and enjoy the outdoors. On behalf of our community here of the Djabugay language group , I would just like to say, we wish you be in good spirits while you're here.
Yirriganydji Traditional Owner Gavin Singleton
Yidinji peoples: Bringing together people and communities
Yidinji man Carl Fourmile, from the land of Gimuy in Far North Queensland, is the artistic director of Minjil, a company that performs cultural awareness training and Indigneous ceremonies and dance in Cairns.In Yidinji language, Minjil means “spark from a fire that shoots up into the night sky.” Fire is important in Aboriginal culture as it brings people and communities together.
The Yidinji peoples is one of the largest groups of the Cairns area. The Yidi Bama (people) speak Yidin/Yidiny.
Many people fought for their land and rights to bring about justice and respect for their people. In 1898, the Yidinji people and King’s Counsel agreed that attacks would stop by both parties and that the governor of the day issued free food and blankets to the Yidinji people for as long as long as people of the Commonwealth were to stay in their country.
The Yidinji people had 8 clans who were custodians of the tribe’s estate and spoke several dialects throughout the Coastal and Tabelands areas around Cairns.
One of the most popular family parks in Cairns, Goomboora, is the site of a special and sacred story for the Yidinji people, explains Carl.
"It is where a big snake travelled through and hit the rocks, as it was hitting the rocks, sparks came off from its scales from the friction of the rubbing of the scales in the rocks. It carved his way through the creek line out the Baron and into the veering into the ocean. This place here is very sacred."
When you come to Cairns, think... we have a whole different perspective on the geographical areas, in our stories and in our culture in our way that we would like to share with you. So come, be a part of everything and know the country.
Yidinji Traditional Owner, Carl Fourmile,