A forum last Friday, attended by Cape York Wuthaiti man Richard Liwaya McLean and Yolngu man Marcus Mungal Lacey from Northern Territory, focused on law and lore for young indigenous people, also helping foster stronger communications in the health and education sector for indigenous people.

“Most young indigenous people here have no idea about traditional law,” Mr Tolliday said.

“Western and traditional laws have much in common in the basics: don’t steal, don’t kill, etcetera.”

It was the punishment process that was different, and who meted that out, he said

He said former chief justice Di Fingleton set up the Murri Court in Caloundra a few years ago and even though now retired she still met with the elders from time to time.

“Sometimes some of the penalties handed down by Murri courts are harsher than (their Western counterparts)

“And I personally question whether rehabilitation (as in the western system) is included,” he said.

Mr Tolliday said the practice of spearing an offender’s thigh in cases of rape and murder meant “you have to walk with that for the rest of your life”.

“But that’s not happening here in Caloundra.”

He said figures showed about 6000 Coast residents identified themselves as indigenous out of a population of about 300,000.

“That’s close to the Australian average,” Mr Tolliday said.

He said having the Kabi Kabi language in some rudimentary form in the school curriculum would be beneficial.

“If schools could go beyond token study it would be good,” he said.

“Even if it was just place names. It would build knowledge and pride in indigenous students.

“That belief will see them continue longer in education.

“It’s about being believed in and believing in yourself. That’s why the law is so important.

“It’s not imposed from the outside law and it provides a link to their culture.”

Mr McLean said of last week’s forum it was important to allow both indigenous and non-indigenous people to come together and discuss and better understand each other.

“By having dialogue such as law and lore and having indigenous people speaking and explaining the intricacies of these systems is the best way we can learn,” he said.

Mr Lacey said he was excited to be on the Coast.

“It’s important we build bridges and I want to share my people’s traditional knowledge with others,” he said.