The world’s largest sand island and the popular tourist destination Fraser Island off the southern-east coast of Queensland, Australia, has reverted to its Indigenous name, K’gari.
The title change comes following a long campaign by Indigenous groups, who argued naming the island Fraser was a “disrespect” to their people.
As the name was restored, more than 19 hectares of land was also transferred to the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the Butchulla people of the island.
K’gari, which is pronounced as “gurrie,” means ‘paradise’ in the native tongue of the local Butchulla people. It originates from an Aboriginal Dreamtime story about a goddess named K’gari who was sent from the sky to help make the land and the seas….