Our right to thrive.
KTAC
The Kokoberrin Tribal Aboriginal Corporation (KTAC) was established in 1994 with the aim of fostering a sustainable economic future for its community. Over the years, the Corporation has made significant investments in various initiatives that uphold and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Kokoberrin people.
Key projects have focused on preserving and revitalising Indigenous languages, ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to connect with their linguistic heritage. In addition to language initiatives, the Corporation has actively supported the arts, investing in programs that celebrate traditional and contemporary Indigenous art forms. This not only preserves cultural expressions but also provides economic opportunities for local artists.
The Kokoberrin Tribal Aboriginal Corporation has engaged in land and sea management projects that reflect the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship. These projects are designed to ensure sustainable practices that honour traditional knowledge while also addressing contemporary ecological challenges.
Through these diverse investments, the Kokoberrin Tribal Aboriginal Corporation continues to pave the way for a resilient and vibrant future for its people, fostering economic independence while maintaining a strong connection to culture and land.
Fisheries and Yunggal, Sea Country
The protection of the Staaten River and its tributaries, including the Nassau River, represents one of the highest priorities for the Kokoberrin people. These waterways are integral to the cultural, environmental, and spiritual heritage of the Kokoberrin community. The health of the rivers directly influences the biodiversity of the region, providing habitat for various flora and fauna and sustaining the ecosystems that the Kokoberrin people rely on.
Efforts to safeguard the Staaten River and its tributaries involve a collaborative approach with government agencies, environmental organisations, and local stakeholders. Initiatives are focused on maintaining water quality, restoring natural habitats, and ensuring sustainable land management practices in surrounding areas. The Kokoberrin people advocate for measures that recognise their traditional knowledge and practices in the stewardship of these vital resources.
Cultural connections to the rivers are fundamental. The waterways not only serve as essential resources for fishing and gathering but also hold significant cultural narratives and values. Protecting the Staaten River and the Nassau River is a commitment to preserving these cultural ties for future generations.
Through ongoing advocacy and active participation in river management, the Kokoberrin people are dedicated to ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the Staaten River and its tributaries, reaffirming their rightful place as custodians of the land and water.
Carbon and Sustainability
The Kokoberrin people express a strong desire to participate in the carbon industry, recognising its potential to provide sustainable economic opportunities while also contributing to environmental conservation. Engaging in carbon markets aligns with the Kokoberrin commitment to land stewardship and the preservation of traditional practices.
Through participation in carbon farming and related initiatives, the Kokoberrin people aim to leverage their deep understanding of local ecosystems to enhance carbon sequestration practices. This involvement not only supports the health of the land but also ensures the cultural heritage and knowledge of the Kokoberrin are integrated into modern environmental strategies.
Furthermore, meaningful engagement in the carbon industry offers a pathway for economic independence, enabling the Kokoberrin community to develop self-sustaining projects that benefit the entire community. It is essential for the Kokoberrin people to collaborate with stakeholders, governments, and carbon market participants to ensure that their rights, knowledge, and cultural values are respected and preserved throughout this process.
Ultimately, the Kokoberrin people's participation in the carbon industry represents an opportunity to balance traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary climate solutions, fostering a future that honours both the land and the community’s aspirations.
The Aboriginal carbon industry also promotes environmental stewardship, enabling the Kokoberrin people to play a vital role in the fight against climate change. Their participation not only reflects a commitment to sustainable practices but also highlights the importance of Indigenous knowledge in contemporary environmental management.
Festivals and Events
The Kokoberrin Tribal Aboriginal Corporation (KTAC) has made significant contributions to arts and culture through various exhibitions and festivals. Among these, the Baby Festival in Kowanyama stands out as a cornerstone event. Since its inception, KTAC has successfully produced four Baby Festivals, each aimed at celebrating and nurturing the vital connection to child and maternal health within the community.
The festival serves as a platform to highlight the importance of health and wellbeing for both mothers and their children. It fosters a sense of community, bringing together families to engage in activities that promote cultural traditions, educational workshops, and health awareness. Through art, music, and storytelling, the Baby Festival encapsulates the vibrancy of Kokoberrin culture while addressing pressing health issues that affect families.
In addition to celebrating maternal and child health, the Baby Festival also provides opportunities for local artisans and performers to showcase their work, ensuring that the cultural heritage of the region is preserved and appreciated by all attendees. KTAC’s commitment to these festivals reflects its broader mission to support and uplift the Kokoberrin community, reinforcing the bonds that tie individuals and families together through shared experiences and cultural pride.
Language Revival
We take pride in our language projects, which have been integral to our mission since inception. The recording of traditional songs of the Kokoberrin and Kokoberra peoples is a cornerstone of our efforts, preserving the cultural expressions and narratives that are vital to our identity.
The linguistic documentation of our language is equally important, ensuring that our unique linguistic heritage is safeguarded for future generations. Through these initiatives, we aim to revitalise and strengthen the use of our languages within our community, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our traditions.
By engaging in these projects, we honour our ancestors and empower our community, inspiring a renewed connection to our cultural roots. These efforts reflect our commitment to maintaining the vibrancy of the Kokoberrin and Kokoberra languages and cultures.
Kokoberrin language and arts form the foundation of our identity and play a crucial role in connecting us to our culture. Our language serves as a vessel for storytelling, knowledge sharing, and the transmission of traditions from one generation to the next. Through the expression of our language, we affirm our cultural heritage and foster a strong sense of belonging within our community. The resurgence and preservation of the Kokoberrin language and arts contribute significantly to the vitality of our communities. They empower individuals to embrace their identity, cultivate pride in their culture, and inspire future generations. In doing so, we strengthen our communities, ensuring that our rich cultural tapestry remains vibrant and resilient.
Maintaining and promoting our language and arts is essential for the ongoing vitality and strength of Indigenous communities. Through collective efforts to encourage cultural expression, we help secure a sustainable future that honours our past and shapes our identity for generations to come.
Cultural Objects and Arts Practice
Kokoberrin arts and cultural practices have been passed down through generations, reflecting a deep connection to the land and a profound understanding of natural materials. The Kokoberrin people, renowned for their mastery in weaving, utilise a variety of fibres sourced from the environment, including cabbage palm, fig tree, and possum fur. Each material is chosen for its unique qualities and cultural significance.
Cabbage palm fibre, known for its durability, is often transformed into intricate dilly bags, body adornments, fishing nets and mats, serving both functional and decorative purposes. Fig tree fibre, with its harder texture, is ideal for creating functional items, while possum string, a delicate fur, is used in ceremonial objects that have stood the test of time.
These practices are not merely artistic expressions but integral to the maintenance of cultural identity and heritage. Through weaving, Kokoberrin people communicate stories, preserve histories, and pass on traditional knowledge to future generations. The art of weaving is a vital practice that links the Kokoberrin community to their ancestors, the land, and each other, ensuring that their rich cultural legacy endures. Many examples are found across Australia held in collections away from their original origins. These items often include cultural artefacts, artworks, and historical objects that are significant to the Kokoberrin.
The Australian Museums house the Kokoberrin’s most important collections, which contain items such as weavings, ceremonial adornments, and functional pieces taken from old man Kenny Jimmy mother’s sister’s place at Makárvnganduw, a sand ridge where the last Elders lived near the Inkerman Station homestead.
Efforts are underway in various institutions to address the return to country of cultural objects. With the ongoing investment of the Kowanyama Project, there is a growing focus on the repatriation of artefacts to their rightful return. This process not only aims to restore cultural integrity but also to enhance the understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures within the broader Australian community. Collaborative projects between museums and Indigenous groups are increasingly prioritising the voices and viewpoints of the original custodians, fostering a respectful dialogue about the significance of these items.
As Australia continues to navigate its complex history, the recognition and return of cultural materials represent a crucial step towards self-determination and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.
“Perndálvmvnt country at Nassau River is so special to us. You must protect it when I’m gone.”