NAIDOC Week 2022: Gubbi Gubbi language and culture thriving

Traditional Owner and Cultural Educator Aunty Christine is passionate about preserving the culture, language and history of the Gubbi Gubbi people.

Speaking to Moreton Daily News during NAIDOC Week, Aunty Christine says it is a time for the community to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week is ‘Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up’.

“It is an opportunity for our community to listen and learn about the Country we live on, Gubbi Gubbi Country, and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Aunty Christine explains.

|“The Gubbi Gubbi people are the Traditional Owners of the Moreton Bay region.|

“They have cared for this land for thousands of years and are the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters of the Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Noosa region, including Redcliffe and Bribie Island.”

Educating children

Aunty Christine has been visiting schools and early learning centres for more than 10 years through her business, Bulu Yabun, delivering fun, visual and practical education for children from preschool upwards.

The workshops focus on teaching the culture, language and history of the Gubbi Gubbi people and she’s currently teaching the Gubbi Gubbi language as a Language Other Than English (LOTE) subject at Tullawong State School and Lee Street Special School at Caboolture.

She has also published two Gubbi Gubbi language children’s books – Gubbi Gubbi Animal Friends and Gubbi Gubbi Bush Tucker Girl.

“All children should have the opportunity to learn about the Country they live on from experienced Cultural Educators,” Aunty Christine says.

|“We have so much more to offer than a history lesson.”|

Connecting to Country

Aunty Christine is also using her experience and expertise to support the Know Your Country campaign as an ambassador.

The campaign aims to employ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Educators in every primary school to teach the history, culture and language of their local area.

|“By connecting to Country, we keep our culture and language alive through education and truth-telling,” Aunty Christine explains.|

“Schools and early learning centres need to embrace all aspects of our culture by listening, learning and embedding Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum.”

As the secretary for the Gubbi Gubbi Traditional Owners not-for-profit organisation, Gubbi Gubbi Dyungungoo Group Inc, Aunty Christine wants to see greater protection for culturally significant sites and the environment.

“The Gubbi Gubbi people would fish, hunt, collect bush tucker and travel through our rivers and creeks,” she says.

“They made their own tools and materials such as spears, shields, baskets and dilly bags.

“They protected and cared for their Country using traditional fire practices.

“We should be proud of this important part of history and have stronger protection for our Gubbi Gubbi culturally significant sites that are still standing today.”

Learn more

Find more about Aunty Christine’s workshops here.

Learn more about Gubbi Gubbi Country here

Support the Know Your Country campaign and sign the petition supporting Cultural Educators in every primary school here.