Didj U Know? - Girringun

Cutting-edge technology is supporting the preservation and transmission of Aboriginal knowledge and traditions: Girringun leads the way in mapping Aboriginal traditional knowledge with the latest Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Founded by our Elders in 1996, the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation has become a national leader in its role as a Traditional owner land and sea management organisation in North Queensland.

Girringun uniquely brings together nine Traditional Owner groups including: Djiru, Gulnay, Jirrbal, Girramay, Warungnu, Nywaigi, Gugu Badhun, Warrgamay and Bandjin Aboriginal Peoples. In 2007 Girringun hosted the 2nd Indigenous Land and Sea Management Conference and the inaugural Girringun Cultural Festival showcasing the culture and heritage of the nine Girringun tribes.

The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation maintains a Cultural Heritage Database with approximately 1200 individual sites (as of July 2007) which continues to grow as our Elders work to ensure more sites are recorded.

The Cultural Heritage Database follows the scientific methodology for the archaeological recording of cultural sites. GIS technology is a revolutionary system which allows cultural heritage information management systems – cartographic mapping in combination with sophisticated databases – to integrate Indigenous cultural knowledge into contemporary land management systems.

The Girringun Aboriginal Corporation supports the highest standards of quality and authenticity for Aboriginal tourism in the Girringun region. Dreamtime Tracks respects the cultural authority of the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation to oversee the integration of and respect for Aboriginal law and traditional knowledge within Aboriginal tourism. With Girringun, the wisdom of our Elders is enshrined, ensuring you will have an unforgettable Dreamtime Tracks experience whilst travelling through this unique region.

This information provided with written approval by Cultural and Natural Resource Management Unit at Girringun. Thank you to Leigh Pentecost and Rod Nielson. Pls. see “The Girringun Way” – published in August 2007 for further details about the GIS system.