Local traditional custodians challenge council 'accord'
A group of local "traditional custodians" is challenging Central Coast Council's adoption of a "Central Coast First Nations Accord" which recognises the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council at their expense.
Direct descendent of historical figure Bungaree, Mr Paul Craig said: "Council has rightfully stated that native title has not been successfully claimed in this area."
He said: "The Guringai were the traditional custodians of the coastal region and the Darkinoong were our neighbours to the West."
"People need to learn the distinct difference between Darkinjung Land Council and the Darkinoong people."
Mr Craig said Bungaree was born in Patonga, and became famous for circumnavigating Australia with Captain Matthew Flinders in the early days of settlement.
"We can prove our ancestral connection to this area and we are in the process of officially doing that.
"Meanwhile we urge locals to do some research into my direct ancestor Bungaree."
Mr Craig said: "Hundreds of people identify as Guringai.
"Bungaree was certainly not a Darkinoong man.
"There's no evidence suggesting that.
"Our main clans were the Garigal, Walkalowa, Wannangini and the Wannabe.
"Guringai was a general name given to Bungaree's people by an 18th century linguist," he said.
"The word Guringai was used due to our local word for man being Guri or Koori and the word for woman was Ngai.
"The words Guri and Ngai were blended to form the name Guringai and the term was used for many clans up and down this part of the East Coast."
Mr Craig said the Guringai were "still well and truly in the process of working towards being officially recognised as the first people of the Central Coast".
He said it was "a complicated, lengthy and expensive process, but nevertheless something that we are absolutely pursuing.
"Our people have been through so much over the past 233 years since 1500 souls landed on our shores from Europe in 1788."
SOURCE:
Social media, 23 Apr 2022
Jake Cassar, Coast Environmental Alliance