The Country we never left behind.
path ngathérruw
Our Land
We the Kokoberrin people are owners of the land between the Staaten River, east into the Staaten River National Park deeper in the Red River region and north adjoining the Kunjen and east up along the Nassau River. Our Yunggal (sea country) extends from both rivers east into the Gulf of Carpentaria to the 3-mile Morning Glory inclusion zone. Our rich cultural heritage is deeply connected to the land, our people have a profound understanding of our environment, reflected in our traditional stories, customs, and practices. Our language, also known as Kokoberrin, is an integral part of our identity, serving as a means of communication and a way to pass down knowledge through generations. As custodians of our ancestral land, our people continue to maintain our cultural practices while engaging with modern society, ensuring the preservation of our unique heritage for future generations.
Self-Determination and the Pinnarinch Peoples.
The Kokoberrin Elders assert the importance of self-determination as a fundamental right that underpins their connection to the land and waters. They express that ancestral rights are not merely historical claims but an enduring relationship that binds them to their country, shaped by generations of cultural practices and stewardship
Pictured L to R Frenchy Jimmy, Burie Jimmy, Alfy Inkerman, Dr Paul Black, Maynie Henry, Fannie Bruce, Charlie Pindi. Image taken by Wanjibung Edwards 1997 at Tarrchmanéngk on Magnificent Creek Kowanyama Queensland.The Elders emphasise that self-determination empowers them to make decisions regarding their lands and waters, allowing for the preservation of cultural heritage and the management of natural resources in accordance with traditional knowledge. This process is seen as vital for the well-being of their community and the continuation of their cultural identity.
They reflect on the deep spiritual ties to their country, which includes the landscapes, waterways, and ecosystems that have sustained their people for millennia. It is this connection that drives their advocacy for recognition and respect for their rights, ensuring that future generations inherit a thriving environment rich in cultural significance.
The Elders call for collaboration with government bodies and wider society to develop frameworks that honour their self-determination and uphold their ancestral rights. They stress that genuine partnerships must be built on mutual respect and understanding, acknowledging the Kokoberrin people's unique insight into land management that benefits the broader community.
Through their advocacy, the Elders aim to reinforce the importance of land and water rights as intrinsic to self-determination, fostering a future where traditional knowledge and practices are respected and preserved for generations to come.
Pictured Christo Henry (Gumhole) at Dinah Island homestead in 2014
Elders gather in sacred path ngatherruw at Dinah Island in 2014, the warmth of the sun casting long shadows across the land. Their voices rise in harmony, rich and resonant, carrying the weight of countless thangk, ancestors. The songs they share speak to a profound connection, a lineage woven deeply into the fabric of the country. Each note resonates with the heartbeat of the earth, a reminder of the stories held within ngatherruw, land.
As they sing, the Elders evoke the spirits of ngerr thangk, ancestors, calling upon the wisdom embedded in the very soil beneath their feet. They recount ngerr, wur kung, old time story and truths of the past.
Through their words, the Elders impart knowledge, teaching the young ones about the sacredness of their connection to country. They sing of the plants and animals, the seasons and cycles, all deeply intertwined with their identity. Each verse a reminder that they are the stewards of this land, entrusted with its care and protection.
The voices carry, reaching out to embrace the spirits of the ancestors, acknowledging their presence in every breath of wind and every rustle of leaves. The songs create a tapestry of belonging, binding the community together through shared history and responsibility. In this moment, the Elders reaffirm their commitment to maintaining the cultural heritage that shapes their existence.
As the final chord resonates, there is a powerful silence, filled with unspoken respect for the connection to country. The singing fades, but the spirit of the songs lingers, an enduring reminder of the bond that unites people from pinnarinch with their thangk, ancestors and the ngatherruw, land they deeply cherish.
“Our Yunggal, Sea country goes out three miles la sea, to the Morning Glory cloud.”