NAIDOC Week 2016
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Corey is a Byron Bay Arakwal family member from the Minyungbul Coodjingburra (Fingal Heads, NSW) and Yuin (Narooma, NSW) peoples. He is a coastal man who loves to go to the beach, poetry and singing. Corey likes to go fishing with his family, getting pippis on the beach, gathering mussels (bimbala) and oysters with his uncles and brothers.
“I love painting, cause I see the beautiful colours that can be created, like the colours of the rainbow. My passions are to be loving and caring for everything on this earth. I like to clean country by picking up rubbish around creeks and the river, excercising outdoors and saying hello to friends.”
Corey’s culture is in his painting, poetry, family connections and gathering from nature and his painting reflects this.
“When I draw my hand this represents coming together and helping people. Other paintings are about my family and I like to paint boats, snakes, snails, and most recently dolphins and fish. The colours I use represent the colours of the rainbow and the energy within life.”
Corey’s artwork and post cards are available at the Cape Gallery Shop and supports people working with a disability.
The new Byron Bay library scheduled to open by the end of 2012 will contain a designated room for indigenous research and archival material, as well as a room for Arakwal cultural activities. This acknowledges the value of our culture to the wider community and appreciation of the role our people have played in making the land available for the library.
Keep posted for photos and information about our cultural displays and activities connected to this important local public space. Join as a ‘Friend’ and we will keep you updated.
Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is an important totem for our people. Wajoong gives us messages about relationships between our clan members, to our ancestors and the past, and also to particular places and sites in our Country. We have stories of our people and dolphins communicating and connecting with each other, including co-operative fishing, sharing resources from the ocean, and playing in the shallows. Sea Eagle (Miwing)
White Breasted Sea Eagle (Haliaetus leucogaster) is an important totem for us. Miwing gives us messages about clan and family groups, provides knowledge on hunting practices and environmental events on Country. The second largest raptor (bird of prey), you can see the majestic Miwing soaring above you as you walk along Tallow Beach or around the Cape. Carpet Snake (Kabul)
Carpet Snake (Morelia spilota) as one of our key totems symbolises the relationship of clan members to each other, to our ancestors and the past, and to particular places or sites. Kabul are important to us for their conservation, wild resource and other cultural values. Brush Turkey (Wollum)
Brush Turkey (Alectura lathami) is a messenger providing clues about and demonstrating knowledge and adaptability in knowing and using Country. Wollum lives and moves freely in the coastal bush, foraging through leaf litter for food to eat. The male builds large mounds out of vegetative material and uses it to incubate their eggs. Pied Oystercatcher (language name?)
Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) is an important bird to us because they provide messages about food sources and environmental events in Country. The Pied forages on the beaches and rocky shores, in mudflats of inlets, bays, ocean beaches, and on offshore islets. Green Turtle (Bijahlin)
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) is an important messenger that provides knowledge of the sea Country. Biwing nests on north coast beaches including Tallow Beach and Lennox Heads to the south. Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) supports significant populations of the Biwing and if you go snorkeling or diving there, you can have a close encounter with these graceful creatures.