The University of the Sunshine Coast is hosting the K’gari Land and Sea Country: djaa-ngarawinj 2023 Conference in partnership with K’gari defenders organisation FIDO next week on Thursday and Friday 9-10 November.
The third biennial conference aims to expands its focus this year to include the seascapes that fringe the island and the iconic and threatened species living in the marine habitats.
UniSC Conference coordinator Dr Kim Walker said previous K’gari symposiums had concentrated on land-based issues and research and collaboration opportunities.
“It is exciting to have a range of academics and Butchulla elders sharing their insights and expertise on issues relating to both sea country and land country, as we bring together traditional custodians, researchers, students, environmental groups and other stakeholders committed to protecting the island now and into the future,” she said.
Speakers include UniSC Associate Professor Andrew Olds who describes K’gari’s sea country as an ecological ‘hot spot’, where waters from the East Australian Current, continental shelf and Hervey Bay collide.
Butchulla Elder Uncle Glen Miller will provide observations of changes in the Sandy Straits because of silt build-up caused by flooding in the Mary River and the effects on mangroves, sea grass, shellfish, sea turtles, dugong and migrating sea birds.
The Symposium is designed to examine opportunities through the Butchulla people’s participation in the new co-designed ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures that aims to generate a new direction in knowledge creation based on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led approaches to managing Land and Sea Country.
