GIRRINGUN KEEPS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ALIVE

^{Story created in consultation with Girringun Aboriginal Corporation.}

Since 1996, the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation has been leading the way in managing projects that ensure Traditional Knowledge is protected and passed on to the next generation.

Girringun Aboriginal Corporation is located in the coastal town of Cardwell, halfway between Cairns and Townsville, North Queensland. Formed in 1996, Girringun works on behalf of Traditional Owners from nine different tribal groups – Bandjin, Djiru, Girramay, Gugu Badhun, Gulnay, Jirrbal, Nywaigi, Warrgamay and Warungnu. Girringun is the name of the ancestral creator of many of these clan groups.

The heart of Girringun

At the very heart of the Girringun vision is ensuring Traditional culture and knowledge are kept strong and passed on to the next generation.

Through the support of the Reef Trust Partnership (RTP), Girringun secured a range of grants empowering them to lead the way in programs that will keep culture strong and help heal Country. The RTP programs embrace a world-leading co-design approach that puts Traditional Owners in the driver’s seat in protecting the Reef and its catchment. They ensure programs are designed by Traditional Owners, for Traditional Owners.

The cultural importance of turtles and dugong

Dugongs and turtles have been a vital part of the culture of Girringun coastal clans for tens of thousands of years. They have been a critical food source and, just as importantly, they are ingrained in ancient storylines and ceremonies. Protecting turtles, dugongs and their precious food source, seagrass, is a priority for Traditional Owners, particularly Elders. Girringun has listened and gone to extraordinary lengths to respect the advice and guidance of their Elders.

The historic 2005 TUMRA

In December 2005, Girringun Traditional Owners made history by signing Australia’s first ever Traditional Use of Marine Resource Agreement (TUMRA). The Girringun TUMRA was put in place specifically to protect the numbers of sea turtles and dugong that can be hunted and taken from the Girringun TUMRA region. The TUMRA is ongoing with Girringun managing an Indigenous Protected Area covering 1.26 million hectares of land and sea in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

This was the first of 10 TUMRAS that are now in place along the length of the Great Barrier Reef. This TUMRA has empowered Girringun Rangers to lead the way in protecting their sea Country and their culture.

“We no longer get told how to manage our Country. We want to be sitting at those tables making decisions and yes, we want to be in partnership, but we want to be managing our own sea Country.”

– Jade Pryor, Girringun TUMRA Coordinator

The magic of monitoring seagrass

When seagrass is plentiful, so are the numbers of culturally important sea turtles and dugong, who rely on it for survival. A combination of Traditional Knowledge and Western science has allowed the Girringun Rangers to lead the way in monitoring the health of their seagrass. Through partnership and training with TropWATER, Australia’s leading tropical aquatic research group, Girringun Rangers can now independently monitor seagrass. With Traditional Owners leading the way, they can see that turtle and dugong numbers are increasing.

With Traditional Owners from nine different tribal groups at the helm, culture and knowledge are being protected and shared as Girringun grows stronger and more dynamic. Through their grants, Girringun are now determining their own destiny. With the guidance of their Elders and their ancient knowledge systems, they are making important progress in healing the Reef.

Find out more about the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation and their work healing Country.