Gimuy

The Yidinjdji people The Yidinjdji (also written Yidinji, Yidiny, or Yidinj) people are the Traditional Owners of a large area of far north Queensland centred on what is now Cairns and its surrounds. The Gimuy Walubara Yidinji are the specific clan group whose country encompasses the Cairns area — "Gimuy" being the Yidinji name for the place, referring to the slippery blue fig tree that once grew abundantly in the area. Yidinjdji country spans some of the most biodiverse landscapes on earth, from the tropical rainforests of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area to the coastal mangroves and coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef. For tens of thousands of years, Yidinjdji people developed sophisticated knowledge of the rainforest environment, harvesting toxic plants like the black bean (Castanospermum) through elaborate processing techniques, and managing the forest through selective burning. The rivers, estuaries, and offshore reefs provided fish, shellfish, and other marine resources. Today, Yidinjdji people maintain a strong cultural presence in the Cairns region through Native Title, cultural heritage management, and participation in the management of World Heritage-listed areas. The Yidinji language, though endangered, is the subject of active revitalisation efforts. The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) and other cultural events celebrate the living cultures of Yidinjdji and other far north Queensland peoples.