Queensland’s stunning reefs, sandy beaches and luxury resorts attract hordes of tourists every year, but until now the traditional owners of the landscape have had little to do with the industry.

After decades of restricted access to country, and amid ongoing native title legal battles, Ngaro elder Peter Pryor and his brothers, Tony and William, have partnered with a Whitsundays tour operator.

“It’s a stepping stone towards reconciliation,” Peter Pryor said.

“This is huge.

“It’s the very first time since settlement we’ve had the chance to come home — it’s history in the making here.”

Old pain, new path

The brothers announced their plans during an emotional address to a gathering of Queensland tourism industry leaders.

“We know what happened to our ancestors, we know we were removed from the islands through decisions a hundred years ago,” Mr Pryor said.

“But we can’t hold onto that pain from the past.

“We just want to go home, doing this is our way home.

“Walking together as a tourism industry is huge.”

“The way for us to go forward into the future is to work in partnerships.”

Source
Angel Parsons and Ollie Wykeham
ABC News