Culture
The Guugu Yimithirr Nation resides in Far North Queensland and speak their own language. The nation comprises many tribal groups forcibly removed by the Australian Government and placed together in what today is known as the Hope Vale Shire. The Shire is run by a local Council with Mr Greg McLean as Mayor. Hope Vale Shire's population is approximately 1000+.
The Guugu Yimithirr people have very diverse interests ranging from cattle and horses to fishing, hunting turtle and dugongs. From gathering mussels and oysters to digging yams, taro and manioc. From organising the annual rodeo to conducting art exhibitions.
Hope Vale Shire has produced some of the most high profile Indigenous people in Australia today like Noel Pearson, Mathew Bowen and career-minded people such as teachers, tradesmen, paramedics, dancers, sportsmen, army reserve, principals, tour operators, artists and university students.
The Hope Vale School is predominantly indigenous run with most teachers and the principal being indigenous. The Guugu Yimithirr language is kept alive through LOTE (language other than English) classes within the school.
Maaramaka Walkabout Tours endeavours to preserve the knowledge of the flora and fauna found within Nature's Storehouse - the bush and rainforest including the sand dunes. This involves not using sprays so that the natural environment is maintained and fencing the areas to keep out cattle and horse which damage plants.
Some of the plants you will see on this tour include:-
| Peanut Tree |
food source for animals and birds |
| Lignum |
hardwood species uses include, digging stick, nulla nulla |
| Damson Plum |
food source for birds |
| Cluster fig |
food source, medicinal use, ceremonial use (shields) |
| River Leichardt |
food, dugout canoe, rope, animal |
| Bumpy Satinash |
food source |
| Matchbox bean |
food source after extensive processing, musical instrument |
| Tar Tree |
poisonous |
| Water vines |
rope, string fishing lines, water use |
| Black Bean |
after processing food source |
| Corkwood |
food source, dugout canoe, paddles, birds |
| Milky Pine |
medicinal use, dugout canoe, paddles, ceremonial use (shields) |
| Canary Beech |
dugout canoe, rope, food source, birds |
| River Palms |
food source, shelter, water container, birds |
| Nutmeg Tree |
weapon use, medicinal use, birds |
| Black Palm |
weapon use, spear, fighting weapon, digging stick |
| Fig |
food source, shields, animal habitat |
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