CIAF Hour 200720
1pm to 2pm is The CIAF Hour via NIRS – National Indigenous Radio Service with Carli Willis and Jack Wilke-Jans.
This Week Jack yarns with various deadly artists from The Cape and The Torres Strait at the Official opening that was held on Saturday the 11th of July at The tanks.
Jack also catches up with Paul Bong (aka Bindur Bullin), who is a descendant of the Yidinji tribe who occupied the fertile rainforest lands from Cairns in the north to Babinda in the south and west into the Atherton Tablelands as far as Kairi. His ancestral history is rooted in this region. Bong’s great-grandparents were both tribal elders, when all the lands were Yidinji. His father, George, also knew the traditional ways of living. He spoke the Yidinji language (Yidiny), though he wasn’t allowed to speak it when he went to school. George was forced to reject the traditional ways and to assimilate into white society. This broke the continuity of Bong’s culture, language and heritage from being passed down through the generations.
Bong grew up around the Yattee area near Wright Creek in Far North Queensland. He is driven to regain the stories and culture that was lost to European settlement and to share what was lost through his work. His grandmother, who spoke Yidiny, taught Bong stories and legends about the rainforest – its bush food, animals, young warriors and special places such as Babinda Boulders and the Gordonvale Pyramid. These stories are the inspiration for many of his works. Bong incorporates traditional designs with modern techniques with each design having its own spiritual meaning.
And Paul Jakubowski who celebrates 10 years of managing the Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre. Incorporated. Throughout his tenure his focus has been on welcoming all community members and Youth engagement. We have come a long way in a since the early days. The PACCI is still the only export industry coming out of Pormpuraaw. Paul is still the only full-time employee. Interested people are encouraged to make contact with Paul and us about art sales or contributions.
Pormpuraaw is a Thaayorre village. People have lived here for thousands of years. We are still here today. The word “pormpuraaw” means entrance way to a house in Thaayorre language. We have our own languages, culture and laws. Thaayorre people are saltwater people who have always lived along this coastline. Kugu and Wik people have also always lived in this country. Kugu people are from the land connected to the northern boundary of Thaayorre country. Wik people are from the coastal country to the north of Kugu country and inland to the north east. Inter-marriage was common. The first documented contact between Thaayorre people and Europeans and was in the 1920’s. Many people were forcibly removed and made to work for no or little wages. This lasted for two generations. Men were drovers for the cattle business and women were made to be cooks and domestic servants. Our people were scattered all over the Cape but have never forgotten who they are and the importance of belonging to country. Every water hole, river bank and section of bushland has a traditional owner. It is still that way today. Most people in the community speak 3 to 4 indigenous languages plus English. We still fish with nets, spear and line. We use dogs and spears to hunt pig and wallabies. Our language and culture is strong and we are still here.
