Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Acknowledgement of Country

We wish to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. We also acknowledge and respect the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lore, customs and traditions.

Cultural heritage

Aboriginal sites and locations within the Tweed Shire hold immense cultural significance, representing the enduring heritage of traditional custodians and their ancestral practices. These sites retain profound value in the present day.

Central to the identity of Tweed’s Aboriginal communities is language, known as Bundjalung in the Tweed and further south, Yugambeh in southeast Queensland, and Githabul in Kyogle Shire.

In the Tweed, the language dialect is Ngandowal, referring to those who use ‘Ngando’ for ‘who’ or ‘somebody.’ Meanwhile, the area encompassing the Tweed Coast and south to Byron is known as Minyungbal, where ‘Minyung’ signifies ‘what’ or ‘something’ and serves as an identifier for its people.

You can learn more about the rich cultural heritage of the Tweed region via our Museum.

View Aboriginal cultural heritage projects across the Tweed

Taking action on Reconciliation

In the Tweed, we aspire to a future where Reconciliation is woven into the fabric of our community. Our goal extends beyond cultural acknowledgment; it is about living and loving the Tweed in a way that includes everyone.

We recognise and celebrate the rich heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and welcome their contributions to preserving, strengthening, and enriching the Tweed community and its identity.

We will continue to promote and advocate reconciliation initiatives, actions and events, with a focus on truth telling, cultural education and awareness.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2024–2026 reaffirms our respect and furthered understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' unique heritage, culture and connection to the region.

Events

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week takes place annually from 27 May to 3 June.  It's a time for all Australians to acknowledge and learn more about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore ways we can contribute to achieving Reconciliation locally and across the Country. 

For more information visit Reconciliation Australia.

NAIDOC Week

Naidoc Week 2024 will run from Sunday 7 July - Sunday 14 July. 

The week promising a range of engaging community events across the Tweed, including the annual March & Corrobboree in the park on Friday 12 July which will see hundreds of people from the community walk from Tweed Heads Civic Centre towards Jack Evans Boat Harbour for celebrations, including, cultural storytelling and dance. The event begins at 10 am outside the Tweed Civic Centre.

For the full NAIDOC 2024 program of events, please visit your Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council. 

About NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

In the Tweed, NAIDOC Week events are primarily coordinated by the Tweed's NAIDOC Commitee.

For more information visit the National NAIDOC Week.

To view a wider range of events across the Tweed, visit What's On Tweed.

Cultural awareness at Council

Banaam Cultural Intelligence training

Banaam are a local organisation of leaders and innovators in Cultural Intelligence and use applications, based on Indigenous frameworks and cultural principles, to equip and empower individuals, teams and organisations.

We have integrated Banaam Cultural Intelligence workshops into all staff development to further help our teams understand the importance of local First Nations culture. 

Committees

Our Community Development Officer - Aboriginal attends the following groups to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community development across the Tweed.

Policies and strategies