kuril dhagun

kuril dhagun draws its meaning from kuril, which is the native marsupial that is found on the State Library site near Kurilpa Point on the Brisbane River, and dhagun meaning earth/place/country.  A literal translation of the name is 'kurils place'.  

Located on level one of the State Library of Queensland, kuril dhagun is an Indigenous space. It is an initiative of the State Library of Queensland designed specifically to inspire audience participation and has been a nucleus for Queensland's unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures since 2006.

It facilitates community connection, advocacy, and the creating, sharing and preserving of Indigenous knowledge, ideas and experiences.

In particular, it collaborates with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to deliver programs for, with and by Indigenous communities, and, more broadly, to enrich whole-of-community understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. 

Our beliefs

  • kuril dhagun creates connections between the State Library of Queensland and the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Queensland.
  • kuril dhagun co-creates content in partnership with Indigenous communities in Queensland, interstate and internationally.
  • kuril dhagun works to engage with the wider Queensland community in furthering a greater understanding and awareness of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, history and culture.

The Talking Circle

Both Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples agreed that the traditional situation in which people were most likely talk, laugh and share knowledge was around the fire. Because both cultures are based on oral and not written traditions, the concept for the Talking Circle adjacent to kuril dhagun has grown to be an important symbol. It is a reminder to us all that some of the most valuable things that we know have been passed on to us by our family and friends, and that this is a tradition that we need to encourage in the future generations.

Watch a video about the history and construction of the Talking Circle:

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