Juru people facts for kids

The Juru people, also known as the Yuru people, are an important Aboriginal group from Queensland, Australia. They have a rich history and culture.

Juru Country and Traditional Lands

The Juru people traditionally lived on a large area of land. This land was about 3,100 square kilometers (1,200 square miles). It stretched from Bowen in the south, up to the Burdekin River near Home Hill. Their land also reached the Bogie Range and mountains like Mount Pleasant and Mount Abbot. Along the coast, their country included Upstart Bay. The Juru people shared borders with their neighbours, the Bindal.

The Juru Language

The Juru people spoke their own language, called Yuru. It was part of a group of languages known as the Lower Burdekin languages. Sadly, the Yuru language is no longer spoken today.

Native Title Rights

Native title is a special legal right. It recognizes that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have traditional rights and interests in land and waters. These rights come from their traditional laws and customs.

In 2010, descendants of the Juru people made a claim for their native title rights. In 2014, their rights over 176,000 hectares (about 435,000 acres) of land were recognized. This area is located between Bowen and Ayr. The Federal Court recognized another claim in 2015. This added 7,570 hectares (about 18,700 acres) to their recognized native title lands.

Looking After the Land and Culture

A special group helps look after the land and important cultural sites. This group is called the Traditional Owner Reference Group. It includes representatives from several Aboriginal groups. These groups are the Yuwibara, Koinmerburra, Barada Barna, Wiri, Ngaro, and the Juru and Gia people.

Their lands are within the Reef Catchments Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region. The group helps with natural resource management. This means they work to protect and care for the environment. They also look after cultural heritage sites. These are places that are very important to Aboriginal culture and history.

Other Names for the Juru People

The Juru people have also been known by other names, including:

• Euronbba
• Malmal (This name refers to the lower part of the Burdekin River)
• Mal Mai
• Arwur-angkana (?)
• South Murri