Bwgcolman facts for kids

The Bwgcolman (pronounced "Bwookamun") are a special group of Indigenous Australians who live on Great Palm Island in Queensland. Their ancestors were brought to the island from many different parts of the Queensland mainland starting in 1918. This happened when a special area, called an Aboriginal reserve, was set up there. Today, the Bwgcolman are the descendants of these people. Sometimes, the name Bwgcolman is also used to refer to the island itself.

What Does Bwgcolman Mean?

The name Bwgcolman means "many tribes – one people" or "one people from many groups." It comes from one of the languages spoken by the people who were moved to Palm Island. They chose this name to create a shared identity. Before this, they were from 46 different groups with their own languages and cultures. An Australian Aboriginal elder named Dick Palm Island is said to have helped create this important name. It helped unite people who had been moved from their homes across Queensland.

Who Are the Bwgcolman People?

The original people who lived on Palm Island are called the Manbarra people. However, starting in 1918, many other Indigenous Australians were moved to the island. These included both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from all over Queensland. They were moved there by a government official called the Chief Protector of Aborigines. The people who were moved came from about 43 different traditional groups. They were brought from many areas of the Queensland mainland and the Torres Strait Islands. They were settled on Great Palm Island in what was known as the Palm Island Aboriginal Settlement.

Palm Island's 100-Year Anniversary

In 2018, special public events were held to celebrate the Palm Island Centenary. This marked 100 years since the first Aboriginal people were moved to the reserve. This movement led to the creation of the Bwgcolman people. For many descendants, this time was also a moment of sadness. It reminded them of the Stolen Generations, which refers to the children who were forcibly removed from their families.