The Keinjan (also known as Gee-en-yun) First Nation was bounded in the north by the Bunya Mountains, in the east by the Great Dividing Range and in the west by the Condamine River. The Darling Downs area had been home for thousands of years to the Keinjan First Nation and neighbouring First Nations. Keinjan’s boundary extends from Stanthorpe north to about Hendon and Allora; east to Dividing Range; west to Herries Range and beyond Thane; at Warwick and vicinity of Leyburn.

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The Keinjan First Nation has been continuous for 10s of 1000s of years. In 1827 Allan Cunningham discovered First Nations on the Darling Downs and in 1840 the first squatters the Leslie brothers, Patrick and Walter, who arrived in March 1840 took up runs with the Keinjan First Nation. The Keinjan First Nations had a friendly disposition and were named ‘The Blucher Tribe’ after Britain’s Prussian allay at Waterloo.  

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The Keinjan First Nation and neighbouring First Nations practiced a burning season to manage the grasses of the plains. Using traditional burning, they were able to create a system that was sustainable and supplied them with the food they needed. Such as the protein-rich bunya nuts during the bunya festivals. 

The Keinjan First Nation along with other Aboriginal First Nations attended a festival at Bunya Mountains. First Nations would travel from the coast, as far south as the Clarence River in northern New South Wales, west to the Maranoa River and east to Wide Bay to join the gatherings. The bunya festivals were times for ceremonies, law-making and resolving disputes, renewing friendships, passing on lore, sharing ideas and revitalizing spirituality. 

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The European squatters began logging activity and clearing for grazing and farming. Such activities disrupted the large gatherings, making it difficult for visiting Aboriginal First Nations to travel along their traditional pathways.

 

In 1820, there were 3000 Keinjan people living in and around Allora. In 1866, Queen Charlotte, Marie, Jenny Lind, Kate, Mary, George, Charlie, Willie, Boco Jacky, Paddy, Jimmy and Campbell were recipients of the Blanket Distribution at Leyburn. In the 1970s Kitty Kitty and Queen Charlotte lived beside the creek in an old bark gunyah. Kitty Kitty had a daughter named Jenny Lind, who had a son named Billy Bumblefoot. In 1904-1907, Chief Protector Aborigines Reports outlines that working permits were granted for Aboriginal workers to work in Allora. 

 

References: 

MacPherson, 1904; Mathews, 1907 (Gr. 6511); Tindale, 1938 MS, 1940.

Geinyan, Gheeannun (Gardner 1851-1854) [Sharpe 2005:2]

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