In 2021, then 24-year-old Bininj man James Morgan founded Yibekka Kakadu Tours with the aim of creating more employment opportunities for local Bininj people, whilst sharing his cultural knowledge with others.

"In Kakadu, there are remote and limited job opportunities. Tourism is a big thing here, but most tour guides are non-Indigenous," Mr Morgan told National Indigenous Times.

"I felt like this was a big, missed opportunity for the local Bininj people, who have lived on and looked after this Country for more than 65,000 years."

After working as a tour guide for Yellow Water Cruises and managing Kakadu's Ranger Guided Program, pioneering the first 100 per cent Bininj team of rangers to deliver the program in its multi-decade history, Mr Morgan felt empowered to start his own tourism venture.

Through Yibekka Kakadu Tours, he aspires to reinforce the fact the Bininj community can independently and sustainably manage businesses and Country.

Mr Morgan currently hosts two-hour tours of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art shelter, where he shares stories and history passed down by his family and Bininj people.

Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) is a key reason why Kakadu is dual World Heritage- listed for its outstanding cultural values.

'Yibekka Kakadu' roughly translates to 'listen and feel Kakadu' in local language.

Through Yibekka Kakadu Tours, Mr Morgan hopes to break down any preconceived ideas about Aboriginal rock art by highlighting the diversity, uniqueness and enduring culture of Kakadu Country.

"Visitors are always interested in learning the age of the rock art, but I like to focus more on the story and the artist," Mr Morgan said.

"Some of the rock art is tens of thousands of years old though there also some newer paintings from the 1960s, which people are surprised to hear. Rock art is more than a number, it shows our culture and our past.

"These tours are how we preserve our cultural heritage. It's important to make sure our stories are passed onto the next generation," he said.

Mr Morgan considered expanding operations of Yibekka Kakadu Tours into other parts of Kakadu, but decided he felt most comfortable speaking only to Country to which his family has direct ties. Instead, he looks to collaborate with other Aboriginal guides, helping them to develop their own tourism offerings and profile.

"Yibekka is just one aspect of my life, but it's a key stepping stone in my grand vision. I want to build cultural sustainability in Kakadu," he said.

"I want to inspire and help Bininj people by providing them with more job opportunities."

As such, in 2023, Mr Morgan founded the Bininj Mungguy Aboriginal Corporation, which sees him connect Bininj people with casual work opportunities in conservation, tourism, and national research projects.

Despite balancing many roles, Mr Morgan said he enjoys working on Country and being a tour guide and eventually hopes to donate a portion of every Yibekka Kakadu Tour to funding projects that give greater independence and self- determination to his community.

"In everything I do, protecting and sharing the culture of my people has always been my priority. Yibekka Kakadu Tours is a successful example of tourism and cultural sustainability intertwining."