Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Recognising the Traditional Custodians

Griffith University recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia, and Traditional Custodians within our campuses. The Brisbane campuses (Nathan, Mount Gravatt and South Bank) are situated on the land of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera and Turrbal peoples. Originally, the land that our Brisbane campuses occupy today was an extensive natural area that included the Brisbane River, woodlands, swamps and waterholes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples utilised the natural resources in this inner-south Brisbane region to provide baskets, clothing, weapons and food. This area was also important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from a cultural perspective with ceremonial, dance, burial and camping grounds all identified in written and oral accounts.

Within a thirty-minute walk of the Nathan campus, a two-ring bora ground and a ‘pullen pullen’ (ceremonial fighting ground) have been identified by historians. The Mount Gravatt campus (the actual geographical land form), is known as Kaggur-mabul or Caggara-mahbill in language which roughly translates into ‘home of the echidna’ in English. A number of camp and burial grounds have been documented at sites within a one hour walk from the Mount Gravatt campus. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' tools and artefacts have been found in areas surrounding the Mount Gravatt campus including an axe found in the nearby suburb of Upper Mount Gravatt. The South Bank campus exists on or close to land that records suggest was used as campsites. From these campsites, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples collected native honey, fruits and bush medicine. Axe grinding grooves in large embedded rocks (to sharpen stone axe heads) have been documented within a one hour walk from the South Bank campus.

The Logan campus is situated on the land of the Yuggera, Yugarabul, Jagera and Yugambeh peoples. The Brisbane, Logan and Albert Rivers were traditionally important sources for harvesting aquatic foods and raw materials. Corroborees and other ceremonies were also conducted not far from the Logan campus.

The Gold Coast campus is situated on the land of the Kombumerri peoples of the Yugambeh language region of the Gold Coast. Within driving distance of the Gold Coast campus, important burial sites and ceremonial grounds have been identified. West and inland from Gold Coast at an area along Glagiraba Creek was an important area were young Aboriginal men were taken during their initiation ceremony. The Southport suburb has strong association with Gwondo – a great hunter in local Kombumerri folklore.

Find out more about Griffith University's proud tradition of engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the institutional, student support, and Academic Group levels.