NO GAZE COULD BE MORE GENTLE than that of Uncle Barry Hoskins as he stands in the grassy clearing near Niigi Niigi/ Sealy Lookout overlooking the Coffs Coast in Gumbaynggirr Country on the NSW Mid North Coast. The 69-year-old is a proud Gumbaygnirr man, who grew up on a nearby mission and whose mum was a member of the Stolen Generations.
“Giinagay ngiinda? How are yas? Yaam ngaya ngulungginyay. I am a Gumbaynggirr Elder. Yaam nganyundi wajaarr. This is my Country.”
Standing behind Uncle Barry is Nathan Brennan, one of the 20-strong members of the Wajaar Ngaarlu Dancers, who sets a pile of fragrant lemon myrtle leaves alight and invites visitors to “scoop the smoke” from the smouldering coolamon (wooden
