A prominent First Nations organisation and enthusiastic local primary school students are teaming up to transform a recently removed tree into a traditional canoe, in a unique cultural and educational project.
The milky pine, which stood beside the Douglas Shire Council administration building on Front Street, was removed today due to damage it was causing to a driveway, stormwater drainage and a nearby fire hydrant.
Thanks to a $25,000 NAB Foundation Grant, the Kubirriwarra Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation will collaborate with Mossman State School to repurpose the tree into a traditional canoe as part of the Nganjin Ngaral Kaljan Yala Makarr Muruku Balkanya project — a community recovery initiative.
Kubirriwarra Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation chairperson John Hartley said the tree would be put to good use.
“We are going to craft a traditional outrigger dugout canoe from it and it will then stay as a permanent exhibition for a long time,” Mr Hartley said.
“It’s really about the conversations we have while doing the project and affording the children some opportunity to talk with Elders and to learn about how things were done a long time ago.”
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon welcomed the initiative.
“I’m pleased that the tree can now be repurposed in what will be a meaningful cultural and educational experience for our community,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“I look forward to watching the progress of the canoe and seeing the final result.”
