Welcome to Country for Adani
LEADERS of the Jangga people in central Queensland have welcomed workers to the Carmichael Rail Network with traditional dance and smoking ceremonies at several cultural sites along the rail corridor.
Adani Mining CEO David Boshoff said the ceremonies were an important part of the project to protect the cultural sites and served to further strengthen Adani’s and its contractors’ relationships with Jangga.
“We have been working closely with all of the traditional owner groups on our project for many years and are thrilled that Jangga invited our people and contractors to be part of these ceremonies,” Mr Boshoff said.
Jangga elder Colin Mclennan said the Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies were held for everyone who worked on the site but were particularly significant for Indigenous workers from other parts of the country who were working on their land.
“They want to know they are working on this country with the blessing of the Jangga people and these ceremonies were performed to protect the site and everyone working on it,” Mr Mclennan said.
One of the ceremonies was held next to a significant women’s site adjacent to the rail corridor, which is to be fenced.
“It’s a very sacred thing the women’s site, because men aren’t allowed to go in there and fencing it will ensure the workers and contractors stay away from the area and are able to perform their tasks safely,” Mr Mclennan said.