CULTURE

Flames of the Forest is not just an experience of the wonders of the rainforest - it is also a cultural, social and human experience, featuring two local Aboriginal brothers who come to share their stories with you and a host of friendly Aussies whose mission it is to make your evening at Flames one you will never forget.

Gary and Robert Creek
"Tribal History: My Grandfather is of the Apan clan (it means stinging tree, because the land and area is covered in it) which is of the wider tribal zone of the Kaanju tribe. This area is the area in and around the area of Coen in Cape York of Queensland.

My Grandmother is of the Kuku Ngoongal clan (just north of Wujal Wujal Shire and just south of Cooktown in the Helenvale Area) which is of the wider tribal area of the Kuku Yalanji tribe, which is the area in and around Port Douglas to Cooktown and inland to the township of Laura.

My Grandfather met my Grandmother in the old days of the Anglican Mission (Aboriginal Reserve), when my Grandmother as a young girl was forced to live in the missions. She was taken from there to Lockhart River Mission (some 800 or so kilometres away), a place she did not know and, to people she did not know, where she eventually met my Grandfather, who was forced to live on that mission. They fell in love and got married and then were allowed to leave once getting permission from the State, police sergeant or the church who all had to give permission to allow them to leave.

The area in and around Mowbray is very significant to us for reasons of Aboriginal people use to gather around there for when all Kuku Yalanju people would go to Port Douglas for funerals, warfare, celebrations and for cultural exchange of stories adventures and weaponry and stuff.

As kids we used to camp and fish in the area, I remember riding our bikes from Mossman out to Mowbray. I don’t recall camping at the exact spot of Flames but an old campsite is still being used on a permanent basis today."