Tasmanian wukalina Aboriginal Elder, Clyde Mansell is the key proponent of wukalina walk in the spectacular Bay of Fires in north eastern Tasmania. After ten years of working on the project, it’s become Tasmania’s (and possibly the country’s) first Aboriginal owned and operated guided walk and is generating a lot of interest.
wukalina walk has just entered its second season so we caught up with Clyde to find out more - his shortened answers are below but we highly recommend reading the full version here.
1. What is wukalina walk?
wukalina walk is a four day experience that aims to deepen guests’ understanding of palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) people – our culture and community history. It’s an opportunity for the Aboriginal community to take non-Aboriginal people onto country and spend time sharing and expressing our cultural connections. I think it’s what true reconciliation is all about – connection with each other and the environment.
2. Why did you come up with this location and project?
wukalina (Mt William) is our cultural homeland. We are connected to this place and it gives us a magnificent natural surroundings to share our story. We made the walk four days to ensure there was time to develop the connection between guests and the story and that things are not rushed.
3. What’s the most surprising thing guests discover?
That their first night in the krakani lumi (resting place) is the best night’s sleep they’ve ever had! The domes were designed specifically to provide shelter but maintain a deep sense of being part of the landscape.
4. What’s been the reaction to the walks so far?
The response has been very good and we’ve also welcomed more local Tasmanians to date than we originally thought which is pleasing. Our guides say people are very willing to learn and discuss what they are discovering.
5. Are you seeing an increased interest in Tasmanian palawa history and culture?
Yes, more people across the board are showing a curiosity. Because we were separated more than 12,000 years ago, there are distinct differences between our culture and that of mainland Aboriginals, something which is also surprising many.
People want to sit down and listen to palawa people tell their personal story and wukalina walk is a logical and strong way to connect with each other – in person and on country.