Acknowledgement of Country – Butchella People (Badtjala)
We acknowledge the Butchella People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters of the Fraser Coast region, including K’gari (Fraser Island).
We pay our respects to their Elders—past, present and emerging—and recognise the strength, resilience, culture and stories that continue to guide our shared future.
We honour the ways in which we work, learn and collaborate together on Country.
About the Butchella People
The Butchella (also written Badtjala, Badjala, Badjula, Bajellah, Budjilla) are the First Nations custodians of K’gari (Fraser Island) and parts of the Fraser Coast mainland, from Double Island Point in the south to the Burrum River in the north, extending west toward Mount Bauple.
For at least 5,000 years—and possibly much longer, up to 50,000 years—the Butchella People have lived in harmony with the land and sea, maintaining deep spiritual, family, and cultural ties to their Country.
K’gari, meaning “paradise”, is central to their identity. Its lakes, dunes, forests and waters are woven through Dreaming stories, laws, and ancestral pathways.
K’gari – A Sacred Place
The Dreaming of K’gari
According to Butchella tradition, the island was created when the spirit Yindingie transformed the goddess K’gari into the land so she could remain forever among its beauty. This story reflects the spiritual bond between the Butchella People and their environment—where every dune, creek, and forest holds meaning.
Culturally Significant Sites
Sacred Butchella places on K’gari include:
- The Pinnacles – Colorful sand cliffs tied to ancestral stories.
- Wanggoolba Creek – “Women’s Place,” a gathering area of deep cultural significance.
- Indian Head (Tukkee) – A culturally important storytelling and history site.
Archaeological studies have identified shell middens, stone scatters, and scarred trees across the Great Sandy Region, reflecting thousands of years of occupation.
Butchella Cultural Laws (The Three Laws)
These ancient laws guide all interactions with people and Country:
Minyang galangoor gu djaa, kalim baya‑m
What is good for the land comes first.
Minyang waa nyinung, waa bunmalee dhama‑n
Do not take or touch anything that does not belong to you.
Wangou nyin gamindu biralunbar, nyin wumga‑n
If you have plenty, you must share.
These laws remain central to Butchella identity today and guide visitors in showing respect on K’gari.
Butchella Language
The spoken language of the Butchella People is known as Badjala, a dialect related to the languages of the broader Fraser Coast region. [en.wikipedia.org]
Although much of the language was traditionally oral, some widely shared words and phrases include:
Welcome to Country – Butchella Language
“Galangoor djali! Galangoor. Butchulla bilam, midiru K’gari galangoor nyin djaa.
Ngalmu galangoor Biral and Biralgan bula nyin djali!
Wanya nyin yangu, wanai djinang djaa.”
Meaning:
“Good day. Welcome! Butchella people, Traditional Custodians of K’gari, welcome you to Country.
May all our good spirits be around you throughout the day.
Wherever you go, leave only footprints.”
Other Language Notes
- The word “K’gari” means “paradise.”
- The ethnonym Butchulla may mean “sea folk” or be derived from ba (no) + tjala (tongue).
- Butchella language variations existed across different family and clan groups on K’gari and the mainland.
History of the Butchella People
Ancient Life on K’gari
Before European arrival, K’gari was home to thousands of Butchella People who lived sustainably, harvesting fish, shellfish, plants, and bush foods. The island’s lakes, dunes, and coastal waters provided abundant resources and sustained dense populations.
Impact of Colonisation
From the early 1800s, European settlement brought disease, violence, and dispossession. The Butchella population was dramatically reduced—from thousands to only a few hundred—and their cultural practices were disrupted.
Cultural Renewal and Recognition
In 2021, the island’s official name was restored to K’gari, a meaningful step toward honouring Butchella heritage and correcting colonial narratives. Cultural tours led by Butchella Elders now help visitors learn about this connection firsthand.
Working Together Today
Across the Fraser Coast region—including Torbanlea, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, and K’gari—communities, schools, and organisations work in partnership with the Butchella People to:
- Celebrate culture through education
- Share language and stories
- Support land and sea management
- Walk together respectfully on Country
Our commitment is to collaborate, listen, and uphold Butchella knowledge, ensuring a future where culture thrives and is embedded in our shared spaces.