Birri Gubba facts for kids
The Birri Gubba people are an important Aboriginal Australian group. They live in the state of Queensland, Australia. They were also known as the Biria people in the past.
Contents
Language of the Birri Gubba
The Birri Gubba people spoke several languages. These languages belonged to the Biri language group.
Where the Birri Gubba People Lived
The Birri Gubba people traditionally lived on a large area of land. This land covered about 10,880 square kilometres (4,200 square miles). Their country stretched from the Bowen River in the south. It went north to where the Bowen River meets the Burdekin River.
To the east, their land was bordered by the Clarke Range mountains. To the west, it reached the Leichhardt Range. In the south, their territory extended down to Netherdale.
Other Names for the Birri Gubba
The Birri Gubba people have been known by several other names. These names include Biriaba, Birigaba, Breeaba, Perembba, Perenbba, and Biria.
Early Contact with Europeans
In 1846, a British ship called the Peruvian crashed. Its crew members made it to shore on Birri Gubba land. The Birri Gubba people helped these shipwrecked sailors survive.
One of these sailors was James Morrill. He lived with different Aboriginal groups for about 17 years. Morrill later wrote a book about his time there. In his book, he shared his efforts to live peacefully with the Birri Gubba people. He also tried to encourage good relationships between Aboriginal people and Europeans. Today, James Morrill is seen as an early supporter of Indigenous land rights in Australia. This means he believed in the rights of Aboriginal people to their traditional lands.
A film called The Wild One was made in 2022. It tells the story of James Morrill and the people who helped him.
Famous Birri Gubba People
Many notable people are connected to the Birri Gubba community. They have made important contributions in different fields.
- Cathy Freeman: An amazing Olympic-level athlete. She won a gold medal in running.
- Jackie Huggins: A respected activist and academic. She works to support Aboriginal rights and education.
- Boori Pryor: A well-known storyteller. He was also the first joint Australian Children's Laureate. This role promotes reading and stories for children.
- Gracelyn Smallwood: A dedicated midwife and academic. She was named NAIDOC Person of the Year in 2014.
- Samuel Wagan Watson: An award-winning poet and storyteller.
- Sam Watson: An activist, writer, lecturer, and storyteller.
