Yuin people | |
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Aka: Thurga (Tindale) Dhawa (AIATSIS), Dhu Dhurga (SIL) |
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South east corner bioregion
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Hierarchy | |
Language family: | Pama–Nyungan |
Language branch: | Yuin–Kuric |
Language group: | Yuin (shared word for man) (a.k.a. Thurga) (shared word for no) |
Group dialects: | Djiringanj (Tindale) Thaua (Tindale) Walbanga (Tindale) Wandandian (Tindale) |
Area | |
Bioregion: | South east corner |
Location: | South Coast (NSW) |
Coordinates: | 36°30′S 149°45′E / 36.500°S 149.750°ECoordinates: 36°30′S 149°45′E / 36.500°S 149.750°E |
Notable individuals | |
Guboo Ted Thomas |
The Yuin people (a.k.a. Thurga) are the Australian Aborigines from the South Coast of New South Wales who are considered to be the traditional owners of the land and water from Merimbula to the southern head of the sea entrance of the Shoalhaven River. The yuin people consisted of 12 clans at the time of European arrival in the area
All Yuin people share in common, ancestors who spoke as their first preferred language, one or more of the Yuin language dialects, including Djiringanj, Thaua, Walbanga, or Wandandian' and Dhurga Language (from Narooma to Nowra)
The country the Yuin ancestors occupied, used, and enjoyed reached across from Cape Howe to the Shoalhaven River and inland to the Great Dividing Range.
Three of the Yuin groups include:
The population before 1788 has been estimated at about 11 000 between Cape Howe and Batemans Bay. The population was reduced to only 600 by the mid nineteenth century due to smallpox epidemics in 1789 and 1830, as well as tribal battles and the spread of venereal disease from whalers.
The Eurobodalla Shire Council signed a Local Agreement with the Yuin people in 1998. In 2001, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Bega, Eden and Merrimans Local Aboriginal Land Councils, the Native Title Holders and the Bega Valley Shire Council.