The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) is calling on the Queensland state government to conduct a full review into the management of K'gari (Fraser Island).
It comes in the wake of 19-year-old Canadian Piper James' death last month, and the euthanising of eight dingoes native to the island.
In the wake of Ms James' death, several wongari (dingoes), which are sacred to the Butchulla, were humanely euthanised by the Queensland state government.
In the past, the government has consulted with the local community when euthanising wongari, given the animals' significance in Butchulla culture.
However no such consultation was undertaken before eight wongari were destroyed.
Butchulla man Conway Burns said Ms James' family indicated the young woman would not have wanted the wongari euthanised.
“It’s a very sad occasion," he told NITV.
"We want to take [the wongari] through ceremony as well, because they are dear to our hearts.
"They’re our companions. Once upon a time they walked with us. They were our watchers, our camp dingoes, as well as wild ones."
BAC will meet on Friday to discuss burying the eight dingoes that have been euthanised so far, with a ceremony to be held on the island in a couple of weeks.
Calls for more resources, possible caps on visitor numbers
BAC said it wants a revamp of the wongari (dingo) management plan currently in place, with more input from experts and Traditional Owners.
They also want controls put in place to monitor visitors to the island, and potentially place a cap on the number allowed.
It would also like some areas closed to tourists at different times of the year, particularly around wongari breeding times and for sacred sites like Lake McKenzie or Boorangoora to be closed to the public at different times during the year.
Mr Burns called on the government to work with Butchulla and provide more resources in the management of the wildlife, both for their safety and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
"We want to to work with the government to make sure there’s protocols in place for wongari management," he said.
"Maybe temporary closures, to relax certain areas, when the packs are in their prime ... which will be hard, especially when it’s breeding season over Easter.
“We need to sit down and walk together and put these processes in place."
Emotional ceremony for young Canadian
The family of Ms James attended a moving cultural ceremony in her honour on Wednesday, led by Traditional Owners.
Cleansing smoke, dancing, clap sticks and the carrying of water in a conch shell, a significant object for the saltwater Butchulla people, marked the protocol.
Kate Doolan, a Butchulla community member who led the ceremony, said the family shared emotional memories of the young woman.
“In our culture, in order to heal that heartbreak, we use memories as part of the ceremony,” she told NITV.
“It’s part of the healing process.”
Stream free On Demand
K'gari, Butchulla Country: Part 2
episode • Bamay • Documentary • 23m
G
episode • Bamay • Documentary • 23m
G
Ms James' body was discovered near the Maheno shipwreck by passers-by on January 19. An autopsy concluded that she had died by drowning, and also had injuries consistent with wongari (dingo) bites.
Wednesday's ceremony was requested by Ms James' family, and
Ms Doolan said the Butchulla people were pleased to be able to help in their grieving.
“I was just glad I was able to assist in some way," she said.
"They were grateful for the advice that we were able to share with them in regards to their healing journey."
