“One of my main reasons for working on Country is I reckon my grandmother would be very proud. She fought for the land for a very long time and I want to make sure I keep doing the same in my way. Hopefully, by doing this work I can keep the bloodline on Country and to learn the new and old ways.”
— Stirling King, Traditional Owner and Indigenous Ranger
The Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Land and Sea Rangers (GMY Rangers) group is shaping up to be an accomplished and highly qualified team of Indigenous rangers — caring for their Sea and Land Country, in dual World Heritage Areas in Yarrabah, near Cairns in Far North Queensland. The GMY Rangers are willing storytellers — stories woven into their experiences of caring for their Sea Country.
Stirling King, Traditional Owner and Indigenous Ranger, is eager to share the creation myth of the Yidinji people of how the Great Barrier Reef was formed after Bhiral, The Creator, threw lava from the sky. As the story goes, Bhiral was angered after two brothers went out fishing, and speared a particular fish that they had been told not to hunt.
“I like sharing my culture. I’m proud and I am getting better at doing so many things. I like making spears and showing school groups how to use them. I feel good about my culture and Country.”
— Rakim Schieber, Trainee Indigenous Ranger
This is a Sea Country home to a diversity of species: such as seagrass, butterflies, moths, bats, stingrays, dugongs and crocodiles that are being monitored by the GMY Rangers program. Stirling sees protection of land and sea, biodiversity and culture as paramount.
Source: Caring for Sea Country — Traditional Owner Stories from the Great Barrier Reef 1
