Q3. How do Rainforest Aboriginal People See the Wet Tropics?

Question 3 – How do Rainforest Aboriginal People see the Wet Tropics?

Firstly, what is a Rainforest Aboriginal person? Rainforest Aboriginal people are the original owners of the Wet Tropics rainforests. They were living there before Europeans arrived in the 18th Century. The Wet Tropics Management Authority estimates that about 100 different clan groups lived in the Wet Tropics area. Today about 15000 to 20000 Rainforest Aboriginal People have traditional links with the World Heritage area.

Of course, all these Rainforest Aboriginal People didn’t always do things together or even know each other! This hasn’t necessarily changed in the 21st Century. Many groups spoke really different languages, even though they lived next door to each other. So really, we have to generalise a fair bit to talk of the ‘Rainforest Aboriginal People’ of the Wet Tropics.

Nevertheless, the Rainforest Aboriginal people see the rainforest in many similar ways. Do you think these people saw the rainforest differently from the first Europeans who came to have a look at the rainforest? How do the various clan groups view the rainforest now? Are their attitudes different from their ancestors? Do you think they see the Wet Tropics differently from local Australians with European heritage? What do they think about the World Heritage listing? What issues do they think are important?

Focus Questions

What is the history of Rainforest Aboriginal people’s relationship with the Wet Tropics region?
It’s hard to get a sense of the current Aboriginal perspectives of the Wet Tropics without getting to know something about the past. Activities 3.1 and 3.2 give you the chance to explore Rainforest Aboriginal people’s historical relationship to the Wet Tropics region.

What are some of the major Wet Tropics issues which interest Rainforest Aboriginal people?
Just because the Wet Tropics rainforest has been World Heritage listed doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone is absolutely satisfied. All stakeholder groups still have some concerns or interests that they think it’s important to promote. One of the biggest issues surrounding an Indigenous perspective of the Wet Tropics is the extent to which traditional owners can use their land in similar ways to their ancestors. Activities 3.3 and 3.4 give you a chance to explore this issue.

Are you ready to start on the First Learning Activity? (3.1)