Watyakan Creek's new name replaces racist old title with one that honours Traditional Owners

Callan Morse Published January 16, 2023 at 9.30am (AWST)

culture

After its name was considered racist, Black Gin Creek in Queensland's central west has been renamed Watyakan Creek in an acknowledgement to Traditional Owners. Image: Craig Fitzsimmons.

A creek near the central west Queensland town of Longreach has been renamed to replace its former offensive name.

"Black Gin Creek" is now known as Watyakan Creek, a name which acknowledges the cultural and historical connections the area's Traditional Owners, the Iningai and Bidjara people, have with the creek.

A spokesperson for the custodians of Iningai Country said changing the name to Watyakan Creek was supported by the Iningai community.

"The former name of the creek and the real reasons it was called that has its origins in a disturbing part of our local history," the spokesperson said.

"This name change is a step forward for the community into a more inclusive future."

Running through Iningai Country, Watyakan Creek passes southeast of Ilfracombe before joining the Thompson River.

Queensland resources minister Scott Stewart said Black Gin Creek was a racist name and Watyakan Creek appropriately recognises Iningai Country's Traditional Owners.

"The new name Watyakan Creek honours the cultural significance and history of the creek to the Iningai and Bidjara people," Minister Stewart said.

In announcing the creek's renaming, Mr Stewart thanked the Longreach Regional Council for facilitating the name change proposal.

"Watyakan (said Watch-A-Kan) is an Iningai word for women's creek and is a respectful way to pay tribute to those who historically camped near it," Mr Stewart said.

"The former creek name is offensive, particularly towards First Nations women, and I'd like to thank the Longreach Regional Council for putting the name change proposal forward."

The renaming comes after the Queensland Government received more than 100 proposals for the creek's renaming in 2022.

Minister Stewart thanked members of the rural Longreach community who took part in the name change consultation.

"Community consultation is essential in any decision-making process and provides a chance for everyone to have their voices heard," he said.

"The Palaszczuk Government will continue to work with communities to use place names that embrace our First Nations people and their connections to country."

The name change has become official after being published in the Queensland Government Gazette.