The meaning of Meanjin: exploring the Traditional Place name of Brisbane
For Uncle Shannon Ruska — with Yuggera (yug-er-a), Turrbal (tur-a-bul), Quandamooka (quan-da-mook-a), Kabi Kabi (kubi-kubi) and Yugembeh (you-gum-bir) bloodlines — having all Australians use Brisbane’s Traditional Place name of Meanjin (meen-jn) is not just welcomed but celebrated.
Preserving the significance of Traditional Place names
For generations, Traditional Place names have held profound meaning for Indigenous communities around Australia - including Meanjin, the Traditional Place name for Brisbane.
As Uncle Shannon Ruska explains, “Meanjin holds deep, sacred, heartfelt knowledge for our people. It’s a point in the river which means ‘the spearhead’ in Yuggera Turrbal Country.”
This sacred location served as a focal point for trade and cultural exchange where communities would barter resources, such as spearheads and sought-after materials, like Gidgee (a hardwood), from distant Countries.
Traditional Place names often convey much more than just the physical features of the land.
“Aboriginal place names are more or less our old ‘suburb names’ for the area,” explains Uncle Shannon. “Along South Brisbane alone there’s about five or six place names that stretch from Kangaroo Point around to Carol Park at the bottom of West End. And each of those define animals, Dreamtime stories, even star depictions of the cosmos.”
Embracing the widespread use of Traditional Place names
To mark NAIDOC Week in November 2020, Australia Post updated the addressing guidelines to include Traditional Place names—a step forward in acknowledging and celebrating the long-lasting connection of Indigenous peoples to the land.
Following on from Gomeroi (guum-a-roy) woman Rachael McPhail championing the idea on social media, we have seen an outpouring of interest and support for the initiative from the public.
To build on this important initiative, Australia Post has created an empowering video on what Traditional Place names mean for Indigenous Peoples—in their own words.
The videos feature Indigenous Elders, like Uncle Shannon, as well as Indigenous community leaders and business owners, sharing and celebrating Indigenous language and inspiring everyone to use Traditional Place names.
For Uncle Shannon, the ability for all Australians to use Traditional Place names when addressing letters or parcels through Australia Post is an important step forward.
“Each of the names will help to educate the everyday Australian about First Nations culture,” said Uncle Shannon. “It’s a good point—a starting point—towards reconciliation.”
Spreading the word
For Amanda Hayman, proud Wakka Wakka (wuk-ka- wuk-ka)/Kalkadoon (kal-ka-doon) woman and co-owner of fashion label Magpie Goose located in M