Official Program
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Official Program CAPE YORK RECONCILIATION DYNAMIC DISCOVERY ROCKS FESTIVAL BUSINESS FESTIVAL SYMPOSIUM 11 - 13 JUNE 18 - 20 JUNE 15 - 16 JUNE www.cooktownexpo.com.au WANTHARRA YURRA - Welcome! The Guugu Yimithirr people extend an open hand to welcome you to our country – an area rich in culture, botany and history. Come and stand on our ancient lands, share our dreamtime stories and understand the roots of reconciliation that are intrinsically linked to our region. A celebration of culture, history, food, art, music and more... 2 MESSAGE FROM THE TRADITIONAL OWNER Wantharra Yurra, Gatil ngathu Erica Deeral, ngayu Waymburr Warra bama Guugu Yimithirr ngun. Hello and Welcome, my name is Erica Deeral and I am the Traditional Owner of Waymburr (Cooktown) which is part of the 32 odd clan groups of Guugu Yimithirr nation. The traditional lands of Waymburr which encompasses south-west to the Annan River and north-east to the Endeavour River. Waymburr traditionally known to the local bama (Aboriginal) was the meeting place situated between two Indigenous nations, the Guugu Yimithirr & Ku Ku Yalanji, it was a mutual area that the surrounding clan groups would gather for traditional initiations, traditional birthing’s, traditional ceremonies and cultural events. Because of the significance of the area the law of this land meant that “No blood was to be shed”. My father Eric Deeral was the second Australian Aboriginal person elected to an Australian Parliament and the first to State Parliament representing the seat of Cook. My father made it his lifelong ambition to study, research and understand the journals of Captain James Cook, Banks and Parkinson to gain an insight into the Indigenous perspective of the meeting between the Guugu Yimithirr bama, Captain James Cook and his men on the Endeavour River in 1770. It is through his ambition and working with the Re-enactment Association that he discovered what we believe is the first Recorded Act of Reconciliation in Australia. The Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021 is an event focused on reconciliation, recognising the past, reflecting on the present and moving forward together for a better future for all. We are excited to showcase our beautiful country, culture, and welcome you whole heartedly to the Cooktown & Cape York Expo 2021. ERICA DEERAL WAYMBURR WARRA ELDER & TRADITIONAL OWNER 3 MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND On behalf of all Queenslanders, I congratulate the traditional owners of Waymburr Warra, the Cook Shire Council, and the many associated individuals and organisations who have worked in partnership to bring The Rising Tide to fruition. It has been a challenging year since the difficult decision was made to cancel the unique event planned for 2020 to mark the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s historic landing on the bank of Waalumbaal Birri, and the first recorded act of reconciliation in Australia when Cook was met by the local Bama-Ngay people. Kaye and I very much regret that we are unable to be with you to share the experience of the re-enactment of the landing, the Reconciliation Rocks Concert, the Warrma, and the Seafood Extravaganza Long Lunch. Equally, I regret that I cannot attend the Cape York Business Expo. As Governor, one of my responsibilities is to promote and encourage Queensland enterprise, and I was particularly pleased that the program for The Rising Tide includes this three-day business event. It is of immediate importance and relevance as a means of connecting and educating today’s businesses and communities, but it will also deliver an inspiring legacy well into the future as the region works towards post pandemic economic recovery. It was a rising tide which enabled Cook to bring the crippled Endeavour into the Endeavour River; the Cooktown and Cape York Expo will provide the rising tide that lifts the region and its communities to a prosperous and successful future. HIS EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE PAUL DE JERSEY AC GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND This June, in the spirit of reconciliation and togetherness, the Expo will celebrate local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the rich history of Cooktown and Cape York through re-enactments, arts, music, markets, tours, food and fairs. Across 10 days of free and ticketed events, The Rising Tide will highlight stories of the Guugu Yimithirr people, while paying homage to James Cook’s historic journey In Queensland’s Year of Indigenous to Waalmbal Birri (Endeavour River). Tourism, the Expo will be an opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Whether it is the blockbuster Strait Islander history, arts, and culture in Reconciliation Rocks music festival, the the Far North and to reconnect following Endeavour Ball, the Sails of Light Lantern the easing of restrictions on gatherings Parade, or the corroboree on the banks and travel. of the river known as Warrma, this year’s event invites visitors to acknowledge the To all who make the journey to Cooktown past, embrace traditions of the world’s and the Cape, I hope you will extend oldest continuing cultures, and celebrate a your stay in the region, supporting local shared future. accommodation providers and tourism operators as the industry recovers from The Queensland Government is proud to impacts of the coronavirus pandemic support the rescheduled and reimagined (COVID-19). Expo in 2021. My Government is committed to advancing reconciliation in We appreciate your support and wish Queensland, delivering better economic, you an uplifting, memorable visit to this employment, health, and housing year’s Expo. outcomes for First Nations people. Treaties are a critical tool in promoting reconciliation and the Queensland Government is committed to reframing the relationship with Aboriginal and ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK MP Torres Strait Islander peoples on our PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND State’s Path to Treaty. MINISTER FOR TRADE 5 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR OF COOK SHIRE Welcome to the Cooktown and Cape York Expo 2021 - The Rising Tide. The spiritual roots of Cooktown (Waymburr) are of harmony, reconciliation and respect of people and environment. We are proud of our unique shared heritage and rich Indigenous and European history and invite you to take a look through our town and its many and varied attractions and experiences. You can also experience great fishing, trekking, waterfalls and beaches as well as visiting the beautiful neighboring indigenous communities of Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal. We are excited and privileged to invite you to join with us for 10 action packed days of celebration in commemoration of Captain Cook’s stay here 251 years ago. The Cooktown Expo 2021 showcases the fabulous Cape region and I encourage you to keep this program on hand, mark your favourite events, and don’t miss out on all that we have on offer. There are a range of events to suit all ages and budgets, so relax, unwind and let the fun, the atmosphere and the culture sweep you away! The Cooktown Expo is proudly presented by Cook Shire Council, with the generous support of our Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors and local and neighboring community groups, performers and volunteers. Experience and explore the history, adventure and culture of Cooktown! PETER SCOTT MAYOR COOK SHIRE COUNCIL 6 MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR SENIORS AND DISABILITY SERVICES AND MINISTER FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PARTNERSHIPS Welcome to Cooktown and Cape York Expo 2021 – The Rising Tide, a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in unique local culture and community and explore some of the superb tourism experiences on offer here. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have provided incredible challenges, but thanks to the hard work of Queenslanders our state was one of the first to put in place a COVID Safe Event Framework which paved the way for events such as this one to take place. The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support Cooktown and Cape York Expo 2021 – The Rising Tide, through Tourism Palaszczuk Government continues its and Events Queensland’s Destination journey towards reconciliation right Events Program and it is a feature on our across the state. It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. Congratulations to the event organisers Events are an important part of our state’s and all those involved – may it be a economic recovery from the pandemic successful one. because they attract visitors to the region which stimulates the local economy and If you are visiting for the event, I supports local jobs. Events are also an encourage you to make some time to important opportunity for communities, explore the diverse tourism experiences friends, families and visitors to come on offer in this beautiful region. together, creating community pride and reconnecting us. THE HON. CRAIG CRAWFORD MP This year’s theme, built around the first MINISTER FOR SENIORS AND DISABILITY SERVICES AND MINISTER recorded act of reconciliation between FOR ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT Indigenous and non-Indigenous ISLANDER PARTNERSHIPS Australians in 1770 is significant as the 7 LEGACY PROJECTS Three of the four legacy projects funded The Reconciliation Rocks Precinct by the Federal Government as part of includes landscaping, design, $5,455,000 funding from the Community interpretation, and artistic installations Development Grants Program will be at the Reconciliation Rocks precinct in officially opened during the Expo. Cooktown. The Reconciliation Rocks area near the Endeavour River is where the The $1.2 million Reconciliation first recorded reconciliation occurred Rocks Precinct Development, the site between Captain Cook and local Bama of Australia’s first recorded act of in 1770. This is a place of historical and reconciliation, will be opened on June 11 spiritual significance as well as a place along with the $575,000 Waalmbal Birri of national significance in Australia’s Heritage and Culture Centre and $1.9 contemporary story of reconciliation.