The
Lama Lama people of Cape York are the traditional owners of the coastal
land bordering Princess Charlotte Bay from the Massey River in the North
to Bathurst Head in the South and also have title to these lands. This
includes the Port Stewart area 90 km by road from Coen. They welcome
visitors and hope you have a great visit to one of the last great wilderness
coasts. They will help you with directions and advice and you may be
able to join in their activities.
There are no alcohol restrictions in place but the elders do ask
that you follow some simple protocols when you are a guest in this area.
Many of the local residents are in this area because it is by
traditional law, alcohol free. Some people are there by order
of the Courts who feel able to direct them to live there as an alternative
to jail. If you give alcohol to these people they may end up in jail
and it affects the ability of the Elders to ask the courts for this
an an alternative to jail.
Please do not consume alcohol in the residential areas at Port Stewart
and Silver Plains. This is deeply offensive to the elders. If
you want to shout a local a drink in your camp feel free, but please
do not pay for anything in alcohol. If people ask for payment in alcohol
they will be punished under traditional law. If you want to make a local
a gift of a drink, arrange for them to get it at the Coen pub. Do
not buy or carry alcohol for people who are resident there.
Do
not give residents rides back to Coen except in emergency or without
checking with The Coen Community Justice Group (Tel 07 40601062
or Mobile 0407163450).
If
you want more information you can contact either:
Rhys Gardiner of the Community Justice Group
(Tel nos. above or
)
OR
Mr Gavin Bassani through the Coen Regional
Aboriginal Corporation (Tel 07 40601191 or 40601192).
