Elders Statement
I was born on Country. I love my Country. We want to keep our Country clean and tidy. Keep the Jalun (Sea) and Kulji (Reef) strong.
I get upset when I go to the beach and see the tracks from tires or rubbish on the beach. That never used to happen when we were growing up. That’s why we have to be strong, I have to be strong.
We’re just asking for simple little things; we don’t want to build a mansion. We’re always trying to keep our Country clean but when others come and sit on the beach and leave the fires still burning, and leave their bottles there – even our own fellas are doing it.
We got to get really serious now. Get our own rangers up and running and take back control.
Lizzie Olbar
Partners
Work Program
Resources
Corporation
The Dabu Jajikal Aboriginal Corporation was established in 1993. Our Ranger base is located in Ayton, southern Cape York. We manage and protect the cultural and natural values of our sea, reef and coastal Country.
We represent Jalunji families and Traditional Owners of the Bloomfield and Weary Bay (Balabay) area.
We work closely with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Our principal research partner is James Cook University.
Country
Our Country is from Mangkalba (Cedar Bay) Ngalba Bulal National Park in the north, down to Ngamujin (Emmagen Creek) in the south, east from the sea-facing slopes of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area, out across the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area to the Coral Sea Marine Park.
We grew up on the sea, on the reef, on the islands – camping and hunting with our parents. We’ve got sacred sites out on the sea, not only on land. The sea is very important to us because it knows us. Our sea Country goes all the way out to the edge of the coral reef (Kulji). We want to be able to protect all these reef islands and sand bars.
We have lived all our life near the sea, that’s why we’re called the saltwater people; where my ancestors came from in the beginning.
Lizzie Olbar
