Birpai Culture

Name: Port Macquarie
Price range: $

This is Birpai Land

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Birpai people, the traditional owners of the land in which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who choose to call Port Macquarie Hastings home.

We recognise the Birpai people as the original occupants of this land, having lived in the area for more than 40,000 years.

In 2008, Port Macquarie Hastings Council signed a Statement of Commitment and Reconciliation which recognised that:

The original occupants of this land lived in the area for more than 40,000 years
Aboriginal culture continues to strengthen and enrich the community
People who occupy this area are from many different lands and share the values of tolerance and respect of one another

The Statement of Reconciliation and Commitment includes the following:

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council recognises that the original occupants and inhabitants of this land lived in the area for more than 40,000 years. There were a number of clans speaking several dialects and these people exercised traditional rights over the area including the ownership of sacred and significant sites.

The Birpai people relied on the sea and the land to provide much of their food and sustenance for life. Numerous middens are still found in the area giving recognition to the gathering of the traditional owners and inhabitants in this area. The establishment of European settlement has proved disastrous for the indigenous people who suffered attacks from settlers, exposure to new diseases and the loss of their land and disruption to their traditional way of life. The Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s Statement of Reconciliation and Commitment is built on the legacy of the traditional owners and the continuing contribution of the Birpai and other Aboriginal people to the local area.

We acknowledge that local government boundaries do not attempt to define traditional boundaries. Our local council area has four Aboriginal representative bodies under the Land Rights Act 1983:

We recognise the Birpai people as the original occupants of this land, having lived in the area for more than 40,000 years. In 2008, Port Macquarie Hastings Council signed a Statement of Commitment and Reconciliation which recognised that: The original occupants of this land lived in the area for more than 40,000 yearsAboriginal culture continues to strengthen and enrich the communityPeople who occupy this area are from many different lands and share the values of tolerance and respect of one anotherThe Statement of Reconciliation and Commitment includes the following: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council recognises that the original occupants and inhabitants of this land lived in the area for more than 40,000 years. There were a number of clans speaking several dialects and these people exercised traditional rights over the area including the ownership of sacred and significant sites. The Birpai people relied on the sea and the land to provide much of their food and sustenance for life. Numerous middens are still found in the area giving recognition to the gathering of the traditional owners and inhabitants in this area. The establishment of European settlement has proved disastrous for the indigenous people who suffered attacks from settlers, exposure to new diseases and the loss of their land and disruption to their traditional way of life. The Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s Statement of Reconciliation and Commitment is built on the legacy of the traditional owners and the continuing contribution of the Birpai and other Aboriginal people to the local area. We acknowledge that local government boundaries do not attempt to define traditional boundaries. Our local council area has four Aboriginal representative bodies under the Land Rights Act 1983:

Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council
14 Aston Street
Port Macquarie
Phone: 6584 9066
Email:birpailalc@midcoast.com.au

Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council
208 High Street
Wauchope
Phone: 6585 3882
Email:admin@bunyah.com.au

Birpai Local Aboriginal Land Council14 Aston StreetPort MacquariePhone: 6584 9066Email:birpailalc@midcoast.com.au

Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Council
208 High Street
Wauchope
Phone: 6585 3882
Email:admin@bunyah.com.au

Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land Council
Suite 8, no.1 John Street
Kempsey
Phone: 6582 8971

Taree-Purfleet Local Aboriginal Land Council
1-3 Old Pacific Highway
Taree
Phone: 6552 4106

Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land CouncilSuite 8, no.1 John StreetKempseyPhone: 6582 8971

Taree-Purfleet Local Aboriginal Land Council
1-3 Old Pacific Highway
Taree
Phone: 6552 4106

Learn more about Birpai studies and resources

Experience

Sea Acres Rainforest Centre provides a wealth of information about local Aboriginal culture and the surrounding rainforest environment. Chat to the friendly staff and they will be able to tell you all about Sea Acres Aboriginal bush tucker and Discovery tours. The Rainforest Centre has a theatrette that hosts a variety of local events and educational activities throughout the year.