NAIDOC Week is a celebration of Australia’s rich history, diverse cultures and the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.
Principal Ranger Justin Enslin said the Kabi Kabi people and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers will celebrate NAIDOC Week with a public event at the Tibrogargan Day Use Area on 8 July 2023.
“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for our park visitors to acknowledge First Nations peoples and their special relationships with their Land, Sea and Sky Country,” Mr Enslin said.
“They have occupied and cared for Country for more than 60,000 years, and their knowledge of Country is incredibly valuable in partnering to manage our parks and forest.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples share the world’s oldest stories, and they were the first explorers, navigators, custodians, botanists, scientists, astronomers, and artists.
“During NAIDOC Week, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Kabi Kabi people are standing shoulder-to-shoulder and have a special request for visitors to the Glass House Mountains National Park.
“We are asking visitors to please consider not climbing the culturally sensitive summit of Tibrogargan as a sign of respect to the traditional owners – the Kabi Kabi people and to give nature a rest.
“Tibrogargan and many other peaks in our region are not only a sacred but also hold significant cultural, spiritual and natural connection to the traditional owners.
“Many visitors challenge themselves by scrambling to the prominent volcanic peaks, but this can lead to rescues of visitors who are unprepared or misjudged their climbing ability.
“People can also be seriously injured or worse on the peaks, and we’re hoping visitors show good-will towards the Kabi Kabi people as the Traditional Owners by not climbing to the summits during this special week.”
“There are excellent alternative walks for visitors to the Glass House Mountains to consider, including the Trachyte Circuit and Yul-yan-man walk,” Mr Enslin said.
“We want people to enjoy the beauty and better understand the cultural, spiritual and natural values of the Glass House Mountains National Park. With the safety of visitors and our staff in our national parks and State forests always a priority.”
Norman Bond, Chairman of the Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation said rangers and Kabi Kabi people will be available on the 8 July 2023 to talk to visitors about the challenges of managing the peaks and their significant value and sensitivity for First Nations people.
