Explore Noongar culture in WA's parks
National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June, is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and, to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. There are so many spiritual, historical and cultural sites within WA's national parks. Here are a few for you to explore.
Aboriginal experience in Yanchep National Park
Discover and learn about local Noongar culture in Yanchep National Park. You'll hear stories about their seasonal movements, learn all about language and how knowledge is passed from generation to generation. You can experience playing didgeridoo and learn about the significance of plants and animals living in the area.
Booking is essential on the Explore Parks WA website.
Sharing the dreaming app
Download the Sharing the Dreaming app for an insight into the culture of the Noongar people, the traditional custodians of the south-west.
You can listen to Dreamtime stories, discover the meanings of symbols used in traditional paintings, hear and learn Noongar words and their English language translations and see how the six Noongar seasons of the year reflect the natural annual rhythms of country.
The app is available from iTunes.
Cultural walk trails in the Swan Canning Riverpark
The Swan Canning Riverpark has many historical, spiritual, mythological and cultural sites of significance for Whadjuk Noongar people. These sites reflect the importance of the rivers in sustaining the Whadjuk Noongar people for more than 40,000 years.
Stories of some of these sites have been captured for you to learn more about the history of each area. Two of these sites have self-guided walking tours available to listen to via the Geotourist App.
Download the app to your phone, grab your headphones and take some time to visit one of these special places.
Kaalitj - ngort Koondaam (Dragonfly Dreaming) in Bateman Park, Brentwood
Follow a river journey to learn more about the significance of the Djarlgarro Beeliar (Canning River) to the Whadjuk Noongar people and its surrounding area known as Gabbiljee, 'the watery place at the end of the river'. To Whadjuk people, the Djarlgarro Beeliar and Gabbiljee are a source of life.
The 1km looped trail, Kaalitj - ngort Koondaam, means 'dragonfly dreaming' in Noongar. This trail was named after Whadjuk Elders were overwhelmed with blue dragonflies on their first visit to the site.
Download the Geotourist App to listen to the audio recordings from Whadjuk Elder Marie Taylor sharing her stories of this area as you walk to virtual trail. Alternatively, you can visit the Explore Parks WA website to hear other audio stories shared by Marie Taylor about this part of the river.
Kwoppa Kepa (Bicton foreshore) to Djoondalup (Point Walter) in Bicton
Come on a cultural journey along Kwoppa Kepa through Jennalup (Blackwall Reach Reserve) to Djoondalup.
This 2km long dreaming trail is the yorga biddi (women's trail). To the Whadjuk people, Jennalup was traditionally a place for women and children and carries the story of Djunda the Charnock woman.
Download the Geotourist App to listen to the audio recordings from Whadjuk Elders Marie Taylor and Noel Morich sharing their stories of this area.
Kooyagardup (Heathcote) in Applecross
Heathcote was once a Whadjuk men's ceremonial site. The western aspect of Heathcote down to Waylen Bay is known as Kooyagardup, which in Noongar means 'the place of the big nose frog'.
You can listen to stories on the Explore Parks WA website.