Guurrbi means – my special place - a place of reflection and calm where you can be at rest. Wangaar-Wuri is certainly this. On our recent trip to Cooktown, Alex and I joined a tour with Willie, our guide, and he invited us to travel through the traditional homeland of his family.
Along the way we experienced what life was like for the Aboriginal people who lived here. Willie showed us gumnuts which become whistles, fibres which can be used to make baskets, flowers which become a candle wick, green ants which can cure coughs and colds and leaves which become soap!
He told us about Captain Cook and Gangurru the Eastern Grey kangaroo first seen by Captain James Cook and his men as they spent time in the Cooktown region repairing the Endeavour, the word Kangaroo is so similar to the Guugu Yimithirr word Gangurru it seems certain that Willie’s people interacted with Captain Cook and his crew explaining plants and animals to them during their stay in the area.
Willie also talks about the future for Aboriginal Australia, the challenges which exist and the turbulent past caused by both the actions of the Australian Government and those of the church. Yet he is not bitter and looks towards the future with optimism and hope, striving to provide a better future for his community through his active involvement in educating young people, and increasing understanding between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people at a local and a national as an aboriginal representative and also at an international level through his tours. Willie believes understanding each other is the key to helping all Australians to move forward.
The Aboriginal Art found here reflects the culture, history and traditions of the people who lived here, some of the art is very old while others are more recent. As a young boy Willie used to accompany his father, Tulo Gordon, a talented Aboriginal artist, who would explain the stories behind the art to Willie.
“The cave paintings were stories put on the walls for us to tell. If we don’t continue to tell the stories no one will know Aboriginal culture and it will fade away until we forget.”
The rock art here when interpreted by Willie tells of a rich and colourful culture, of the importance of family, relationships, connection and spirituality, the circles of birth, life and death as well as a sense of place and stories of important events. Willie is the story-keeper, he shares his knowledge and understanding so generously and we were mesmerized by his stories about his own family who lived here not so long ago.
Thank you, Willie, for an amazing experience and insight into the lives of Aboriginal people past and present which Alex and I will both treasure.
Peace