The Cape Byron Information Centre (Cape Gallery) is located at the Cape Byron Lighthouse on Walgun. Boasting spectacular views the Cape Gallery is an information centre, gallery and shop operated by Arakwal National Park. In our cultural resource room you can learn about Arakwal cultural information from publications and information boards like:
People & Land * White Settlement * Place of Plenty * In the Beginning * Life Today * Special Places
the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Indigenous Land Use Agreements
watching the film, Walking With My Sisters.
Come and see us at the gift shop where we offer publications, artwork and other gifts. Cape Byron Lighthouse, Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay. Open 9:30am-4:30pm 7 days a week (closed Christmas Day).
Join me exploring the Gallery to meet our creative people! Arts and crafts, music and dance, photos and stories, working in and caring for Country – so much going on! Visit our online gallery and other galleries that include our artists and their work.
Let’s go see ….
We have a site on Country to build our cultural centre which will be a key meeting place for our people. It is adjacent to the National Parks and Marine National Park headquarters where our corporation offices are currently based. We are busy raising and seeking the necessary funds and resources to make it a reality.
As well as a meeting and gathering place, we can hold workshops and activities there, as well as present cultural displays including art, music, dance, and our publications and products for viewing and purchase. In the meantime you can see a range of these at the Cape Gallery up at Walgun (Cape Byron) and on the Gallery pages of this website.
Keep watching this space – if you’d like to be advised of progress on the cultural centre then become a ‘Friend’ and subscribe to our free online newsletter by providing your details in the subscription box on the main Menu – we’ll keep you updated!
A range of public and private galleries, collections and places include the creative work of our people, and display work that reflects the spirit of our Country.
We may provide links to these so that you can view these works and creative effort. Check in from time to time and see what links there are!
We are keen to establish an online gallery that presents and promotes a wide range of our creative arts and products, our publications and materials for viewing and purchase. In the meantime you can see a range of these at the Cape Gallery and Artist pages of this website.
The online gallery will be established in a future stage of our website development. If you want to keep posted on this subscribe as as Friend (check the main Menu to the left below the Blogs) and we will send you updates on this, and other creative news from our community.
Come and learn about our Culture. It helps if you look and listen with your heart as well as your head. That way you can experience the way we share our knowledge and better understand who we are and how we connect to Country.
Our Aboriginal culture gives us a sense of belonging to the land, the sea and to each other. It links the past, present and future and is expressed through our stories, art and songs, our dance and ceremony, and the way we understand and respect Country. Much has been handed down from our ancestors over a long time and we work to keep this valuable knowledge and connection to Country alive. Maintaining our cultural traditions and looking after Country is important for our identity and well-being, and shows respect to our ancestors.
“Our culture is one of the most beautiful cultures in the world. It feels good to be a part of my culture, it makes me feel connected and have a strong identity and belonging. I think it is very important for all Australians to understand Aboriginal Culture and learn and recognise Aboriginal people as the First Australians and people that have been here for thousands and thousands of years. We need to learn and unite and look after this land we all call home .“ Nigel Stewart, Arakwal family member.
Through these ancestors we are connected to Country in northern New South Wales that extends along the coast from Broken Head in the south to the Brunswick River (Durrumbul) to the north, past Julian Rocks (Nguthungulli) out into the Tasman Sea to the east, and into the Byron Bay hinterland to the west.
We continue to have a strong association with this area which includes the coastal town of Byron Bay, known by the Bunjalung people as Cavanbah, which means ‘meeting place’. Many of us live and work here, or if living elsewhere visit whenever we can. To all of us it is our true home. Click on and watch the videobelow and learn more from Arakwal family member, Delta Kay, who shares stories and information about Cavanbah.
Our relationship with this Country is more than just a place to live. It’s the living, breathing source of all life, our spiritual home and home of our ancestors’ spirits.
Being in and part of Country keeps us connected to our culture and our ancestors. It’s our duty to look after Country. We look after Country and Country looks after us.
Through family and long term relationships over many generations we are also connected to Country and Aboriginal communities up and down the coast and inland, not just in the Northern Rivers region but much further afield.
Likewise they are connected to us, and Country here, and this is important for maintaining our traditions, knowledge and stories that go back to the Dreaming time.
Are you a young Aboriginal person looking to have fun, stay active and learn to surf? Come along to the Burra jurra Surfing Program and get together with other young Aboriginal people learning to surf or improve your technique with one of the best surfing coaches in NSW. The program includes learning about our cultural stories, places and plants. We get into surf safety, healthy eating,positive life style choices, bush tucker, dance and music.
Our Corporation is responsible for representing the interests of the Arakwal people. It is engaged in a wide range of activities to help achieve our objectives in the following key areas:
Living and Working back on Country: including indigenous resource and co-management agreements; Native Title matters; reviewing landuse plans, strategies and development proposals; involvement in Land and Coastcare activities; working and caring for Arakwal National Park and Cape Byron Marine Park; developing affordable housing for our community.
Maintaining Cultural Connection to Country: including revitalising cultural practices, developing and running cultural programs for our people and the wider community, as well as reconciliation activities and events.
Business and Economic Development: including education, training and employment strategies, developing and supporting businesses and work for our people, housing and better services for our elders and community.
The Corporation has 5 year strategic plan which includes strategies and actions for these areas. It reviews and renews this plan near the end of each 5 year period. Strategic planning is one of the main roles for our board of directors. They have recently completed a review of our present strategic plan (2012), and are setting priorities and actions for the next 5 year plan period.
Strategic planning is very important as provides the opportunity to look closely at issues and challenges affecting the corporation and our people, and to plan well for the future. The Board then provides clear direction for our staff who report back to the board on the achievement of these directions, and strategies, and if they are working. Click here to read more about our Key Activities.
are Aboriginal people of the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay:
descended* from Aboriginal people who lived and/or held native title rights in the Agreement Area at the time of first contact by European settlers in 1820s-30s
are known to the acknowledged elders of the Bundjalung People as members of the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay; and
are resident within the traditional country of the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay; or have maintained their primary identification with the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay through regular visits with Bundjalung People of Byron Bay community in traditional country of the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay and are acknowledged by the elders of the Bundjalung People as recognising and observing the laws and customs of the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay.
(* descended as set out in Schedule 3 of our Corporation Rules)
The primary objective of the Corporation is to relieve poverty, sickness, destitution, distress, suffering, misfortune or helplessness of needy members of the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay of the land and waters in and around Byron Bay and surrounding areas of New South Wales through:
(a) improving housing, living conditions and general standards of living by the provision of land, housing and other buildings and other services for our people’s use and benefit;
(b) improving vocational skills, employment prospects and employment opportunities of our community members; and
(c) arresting social disintegration by strengthening and fostering development of our Aboriginal identity and culture, ensuring that all programs and actions are in accordance with our cultural values, customs and practices.
Our corporation objectives are to be achieved by, but not limited to, the following:
seeking land and/or compensation for the Bundjalung People of Byron Bay of the land and waters in and around Byron Bay under Native Title Act (1993) or by any other means to further Corporation aims
seeking partnerships or Development Enterprise to improve the above objectives, through implementing the Bundjalung of Byron bay Aboriginal Corporation Corporate Plan.
The Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) was established in 1996 and primarily works for the betterment of the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Aboriginal (Arakwal) People, land and waters. The Corporation is incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.
We have a Board of Management, which currently has seven members, and employ 2 full time staff and a number of part time support people. Our Board meets approximately monthly with an annual general meeting, as well as other meetings as required on specific topics such as native title matters. Board members also represent our Corporation at various meetings and on committees with other agencies such as the Cape Byron Reserve Trust, Cape Byron Marine Park, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, and Byron Shire Council.
Through story, dance and creative expression, this program provides participants with the opportunity to learn about the life and culture of our Arakwal people. Presented by Arakwal Aboriginal guides, participants join traditional owners in art, dance and ceremonies, learning about the significance of the land and sea and importantly dolphins to the our people.
Hey, this is for all our families and friends. Get back on Country with our mob for a picnic or barbeque and a walk and talk. Enjoy being at home and yarning with other Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal people.
Back to Country Day usually happens before we have a meeting or other official Arakwal cooperation business to attend to. They are part of our Arakwal Community programs. We will let you know when they are on – check out our Events Calendar.
Led by our guides from the Arakwal Aboriginal Cooperation, participants engage in a tour and activities relating to bush food. Traditional and contemporary indigenous food technology, preparation and nutrition are examined and discussed.
Participants have the opportunity to taste bush tucker and campfire food, learn about traditional bush medicine and listen to stories from the Arakwal tradition. Learn More
These learning materials relate to our workshops, tours and programs, as well as ranger-guided programs run on Country. They can help you understand our culture and to connect with Country. Scratch around, see what you can find!
The resources are for our community as well as for schools and other groups to use. They include materials like DVDs, audio tapes, books and worksheets. There are general outlines and background information for everyone to see and read. You can download some materials, and others you will need to talk with us first, or participate in the workshops, tours or a program to better appreciate and use them.
Check out Our Workshops and Programs and Other Programs to see what is presently available, what is being developed or updated, how to access them and whether there is a cost. You are welcome to contact us.
Dolphin (Wajung)
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.
NAIDOC Week 2016
NAIDOC Program
Cultural Celebration
The Cape Byron Information Centre (Cape Gallery) is located at the Cape Byron Lighthouse on Walgun. Boasting spectacular views the Cape Gallery is an information centre, gallery and shop operated by Arakwal National Park. In our cultural resource room you can learn about Arakwal cultural information from publications and information boards like:
