WfHC - cover page (not to be used with pre-printed report ... - CSIRO

spirits being reborn in new generations. The form that some of these processes take is
specific to Indigenous people, but developing attachments to places through such actions as
working, hunting, recalling past residents and historical events, and naming places are
widespread amongst human beings.
2.5.6 Tourists and trespassers
Figure 35. Philip Yam talks to motorcycle tourists passing through Oriners
The map of the Cape demonstrates that Oriners lies a considerable distance from
Kowanyama, but is itself much closer to the main Cape York Development Road and to
settlements along that road. In effect, Kowanyama is far more „remote‟ than Oriners from
larger North Queensland towns and cities. Oriners lies on the direct route for „back door‟
access from the main Cape road to the Errk Oykangand (Alice-Mitchell) National Park,
Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, and to Koolatah Station. It can be difficult for Kowanyama people
and the Oriners Mob to access the Station by road from the west at times when access from
the east may be far easier, and the western route is always far shorter in terms of distance.
These conditions created logistical difficulties for residence by Kowanyama people at the
same time as it made access easier for people travelling from the central Cape. The lack of
supervision has led to a range of problems, including criminal damage and arson attempts,
as well as theft of valuable key infrastructure. The first major sign of difficulties were arson
attempts on the cattle yards. Philip Yam recalled having to rebuild and repair the cattle dip
and yards twice, as fires came through and burnt it. The photograph of the yards from the
time shows evidence of the arson attempt:
Working Knowledge at Oriners Station, Cape York
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