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On a quiet bush property in Far North Queensland, visitors are learning about a way of life that sustained traditional owners here for tens of thousands of years.
The city of Cairns is a short boat ride away across the bay but it is here where new connections are being made between the Mandingalbay Yidinji people and the 5,500 tour guests they receive each year — three-quarters of whom come from overseas.
"Country belongs to us and we belong to it," explained Dale Mundraby, operations manager at the Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation.
"In terms of ownership, that's that respect, and people who come and share that experience get a really better understanding of what that is."
The Mandingalbay Yidinji have been operating cultural tours at East Trinity for more than two years, but the business was a vision two decades in the making.
Among the team of guides are three young mothers, who have returned to the workforce to share the stories of their country.
"We want to make a social impact and smash the welfare cycle, having self-independence and autonomy through delivering a cultural experience on country," Mr Mundraby said.
Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation's achievements were recognised with a business prize at the Queensland Reconciliation Awards presented in Cairns on Monday night.
Tour guide Joanne Mundraby said the venture was "a good opportunity for everyone".
"We do see a big future, not just creating employment, not just for Mundingalbay Yidinji but Indigenous people from all over and creating those big job titles for up-and-coming elders like myself," she said.
Nation first memorial honoured
As part of National Reconciliation Week, events are held across the country to promote a greater awareness of First Nations culture and history and to strengthen relationships with non-Indigenous Australians.
It's held each year from May 27 to June 3, marking the dates of the 1967 referendum to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution and the High Court's Mabo decision.
This year's Reconciliation Week is the first since October's failed referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
The Butchulla Men's Business Aboriginal Association was recognised at the awards ceremony for its memorial dedicated to the Butchulla warriors who defended their country in the Frontier Wars during colonisation.
The memorial, unveiled last year on Butchulla country in Maryborough, was the first of its kind anywhere in Australia.
Association founder Glen Miller said it was an honour to win the Premier's Reconciliation Award.
The men's business group also runs camps for boys and their fathers and was founded to help connect Butchulla people with culture.
"Many a night, us men sat around the campfire talking about the things in our community that concerned us and we were all concerned about our young men," Mr Miller said.
"We've positively influenced quite a number of young boys who've given up their social media stuff and joined the army, gone to boxing, or come down to Ravens Hill and do stuff with us men and go fishing."
Abergowrie State School in North Queensland, which partnered with Warrgamay traditional owners to establish a native bush tucker garden and introduce Warrgamay language into its curriculum, won the education award.
The health and wellbeing award went to Cape York health service Apunipima and the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service for a kidney care program.
Isa Rodeo Limited and Mona Aboriginal Corporation won the partnership category for the Mount Isa Indigenous Rodeo Championships.