Today, Yagan is an iconic figure in the fight for Noongar rights and recognition. Learn about the places that were important to the Whadjuk people and the impacts of colonisation in these early days. Murdoch University is located has, for thousands of years, been a place of learning. 9. It is the belief that everything is connected, the past, the present, the people, the land, the sea and all of its plants and animals; it is holistic and all-encompassing. The power of stories being passed down orally is often criticized by people in today's society. live, learn and work. Join the Joyous Celebration of Meeukang Warangka ba Kenniny. P.J. Protocols for welcoming visitors to Country have been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for thousands of years. Also used during ceremonies. Noongar people also have many names for places and towns throughout our boodja. In 1840, George Grey published A Vocabulary of the Dialects of South West Australia in London. Beeliargu moort. This was orchestrated by the government of the day to abolish Noongar language and identity. But of course with the Nyungar culture we are basically all the same but there are some differences with regards to our language. The common language between neighbouring Noongar dialectal groups enable us to communicate and trade. It wasnt swear words I was using. All Rights Reserved. 5. A child is called a nop. You are invited to a free Welcome to Country hosted by a Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owner. We welcome you to the land of the Whadjuk people which we have called home since the beginning of time. In the past, as Kevin Fitzgerald said, a fly lizard was put on a childs tongue for them to learn how to pronounce Noongar language. Describing many newly discovered, important, and fertile districts, with observations on the moral and physical condition of the Aboriginal Inhabitants &c. &c., T. and W. Boone, London, 1841. In collaboration with Noongar people we encourage not only Noongar participation but also Noongar ownership and control of natural resource management projects. These words are used everyday but they sound slightly different from region to region. [ii] It differs slightly from Tindales in that Horton removed the boundary between Wudjari and Njunja on the south coast near Esperance and named the group Wudjari. So trade in Nyungar country is very very old, thousands of years old.Dr Richard Walley in van den Berg, Collard, Harben and Byrne, Nyungar Tourism in the South West of Western Australia, Murdoch University, 2005. And, um, combine that with fish and there was lots to eat. Respect . Noongar Language Facts: The Noongar language is regarded as endangered, with few fluent speakers, although there has been a revival of interest in recent years. The Quokka Hopper is undergoing maintenance and is currently unavailable. [xiv] Whitehurst, Rose (compiler). This video. Free daily Welcome to Country hosted by a Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owner. 6. Starting at 10:15 am every day from 3 January to 5 February (excluding public holidays). Acknowledgements can also be in written form. (Source: Indigenous Tours WA http://www.indigenouswa.com/heritage-tours/) Research and content by Jason Barrow. An Acknowledgment of Country is a way of demonstrating awareness of and respect for Aboriginal protocols and for the Aboriginal people on whose land an occasion is being held. The South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council are producing posters in Noongar language. Travelling was a big part of ceremony and a big part of trade in those days as well. Classes for Noongar and non-Noongar alike aid in the transmission of knowledge. This variation in our Noongar language reflects both regional dialect differences as well as an attempt by the fourteen language groups to retain, in a modern Australian society, a sense of independence and difference within. Whadjuk [pronounced wod-JUK] Noongar Elder and ambassador Dr Noel Nannup talks about traditional Whadjuk ways of life and key cultural places in Perth, and he teaches us the Noongar words for some Perth suburbs (such as Nollamara). marlee swan, beeliar river, boorn wood/tree, nyingarn echidna, koorlbardi magpie, kitje spear; koornt camp, balga grass balga tree. And then there was a big camp site, just on the side of the bank, just down from here, there's a girls' school built there now called Santa Maria College. Written by Lorina February 2, 2023 Print Australian Human Rights Commission An Acknowledgment of the Country is a way of showing respect for the Traditional Owners and can be given by both non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are connected to another place. [xvi], See long time ago, this is traditional law go back long time with Noongar for a little kid to talk Noongar, old fella get im in is arm and get the fly lizard and he say something and put it on his tongue, and put it away, and that kid hell grow up talking Noongar, fluently.Kevin Fitzgerald, oral history, SWALSC, 2006, Rosezanna Jetta learning Noongar language from Charmaine Bennell at Djidi Djidi school in Bunbury.Courtesy The West Australian. Now, the reason they cried by the sea was because we believed in our old way that people were buried out there under the ocean. Traditional Owner: A person recognised as a member of a dialect group whose lands lie within the region; that is, they are accepted by the community as belonging to one of the relevant families, primarily though socially validated genealogical connections. A Whadjuk Noongar contact database of businesses is created and these partnerships are acknowledged formally. Some words may only be known in one region of Noongar country, particularly plants, which are unique to the local climate and soil type. I just wheeled around, I didnt have only had a slate and a pencil to leave behind, but I took off and I went.Hazel Brown, oral history, SWALSC, 2008, Joe Northover talks about Minningup Pool on the Collie River. Many Noongar people of today grew up speaking English in school and Noongar at home. The booklet at the link below sets out a comprehensive set of Noongar protocols . The late Tom Bennell (Yelakitj), shared this story about moort (family) relationship names and how moort would have wangkiny (talked) with each other: Deman is the name for Grandmother and Dembart is the name for Grandfather. Whadjuck Noongar would bring these items for trade: Boka: a kangaroo skin garment used for keeping warm and dry. Bo-ye: a rock for kodja, tabba or grinding stones. Bu-ruro: a possum hair neck band worn as an ornament. Bu-yi: a nut from the zamia plant that once treated, was fit to roast and eat. Dardark: a lime white clay used to paint the body at festivals. Kodja: a hammer or axe, broad and blunt at one end and sharpened at the other. Karla koorliny we call it. Ngany moort koorliny noonook. Listen old fellow, listen for em, bring them home. We look forward to welcoming you to Wadjemup / Rottnest Island soon. See history of suburb names courtesy of Landgate, WA. Kooranyi noonak korl. The body of work explores a circle motif that has been . The Wanjoo song is popular in early childhood education centres, schools and choirs around Perth, thanks to its deep roots in the Noongar tradition. Ngany kurt, ngany karla our heart, our home. The Common Ground Team An Acknowledgement of Country is a way to acknowledge and pay respect to First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of the land. Here are some Noongar words for you to practice. This acknowledgement pays respect to the traditional custodians, ancestors and continuing cultural, spiritual and religious practices of Noongar people. The names of many south-west towns are Noongar in origin: Gidgegannup (place to make spears), Ongerup (place of the male kangaroo) and Goomalling (place to find possum). Throughout the Whadjuk Region there are a range of significant Noongar sites. Yet, there are nearly as many places that have been given Noongar names. Cousins well they call them same grandfather, same as their cousin, dembart.Noongar Elder Tom Bennell in Collard, Harben and van den Berg, Nidja Beeliar Boodjar Noonookurt Nyininy website, 2004. While visitors were provided with a safe passage, they also had to respect the protocols and rules of the land owners tribe while on their Country. Thats why this place important. Kaya noonakoort. Acknowledgement of Country This name is also in use by Palawa people who are originally from Tasmania where Lowanna is the word for woman. Find out if you're eligible for a scholarship, The first university and sports partnership of its kind, Find workshops & activities for your high school students, Explore our courses to find the perfect one for you, See how our researchers are tackling complex challenges. Coming home. Nyinyak ngaalang nidja kedela ngaala mereny. In 1992 the first Noongar Dictionary produced by Noongar people was compiled and published by Rose Whitehurst for the Noongar Language and Cultural Centre. Digital content Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). and Gioia, P. Species Richness and Endemism in the Western Australian Flora. Nyoongar: An original inhabitant of the South-West (Jurien Bay to Esperance) of Western Australia that identifies as part of a community which shares a common language (Nyoongar), law and custom. And that was an important place for us too. Watch Kylie Farmer [Kaarljilba Kaardn], Noongar actor, TV presenter, writer and director, in her inspiring talk to TEDxManly in February 2014 on the topic Keep Our Languages Alive, All Should Speak Nyoongar. Source: Shane Pickett, 1998; Art Gallery . The area now known as the City of Armadale was originally occupied by the Noongar people many thousands of years before European settlement. Biladurang the Platypus. This spear was made in the Ellensbrook and Wonnerup areas. Miro: the name of the south-west spear thrower used by Noongars to propel the aim of the gidjee. Weja: emu feathers used as ornamentation at ceremonies. Wonna: the women`s digging stick was about six feet long and and as thick as a broom handle. We acknowledge the Noongar people as the traditional owners of Whadjuk country, and extend our respects to their elders past and present. Ngany waangkaniny. Nyoongar calendar. Girawu the Goanna. Take a cultural walking tour with a traditional owner with strong family connections to this land, ancient customs and traditions. We acknowledge the invasion, atrocities and subsequent acts that traumatise our . It was written by singer-songwriter Gina Williams, who released an album sung entirely in the Indigenous language of Western Australia. For nearly two centuries Noongar language has adapted to the impacts of colonisation and survived government reserves and missions, where it was also forbidden for Noongar people to speak our language. The simple wording on this poster could be . 7. The Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation welcomed fighters competing on UFC 284 in Perth. Wandju, wandju, nidja Noongar Boodja. Similar to a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country is generally offered at the beginning of a meeting, speech or formal occasion. Much of the biodiversity in Noongar country is not found anywhere else in the world. The Principal is seeking to appoint a Contractor to undertake construction of landscape, playground, electrical and irrigation works at Mary Carroll Park, Gosnells. They call their brother ngoony and sister djook. Koort is heart. The practice can be done by anyone, at any time. I say dembart yaarl koorl Grandfather come here or deman yaarl koorl Grandmother come here. A recorded audio Welcome to Country is available to all at the Koora-Yeye-Boordawan-Kalyakoorl (Past-Present-Future-Forever) sculpture at the end of the main jetty. And some of the men folk would cross the river there. Mandurah Bridge - on the wall at the western end of the bridge's footpath is a welcome to country written in Noongar dialect. 'Perth's original people are the Whadjuk, who lived within a 50km radius around Perth. Whadjuk is the name of the dialectal group from the Perth area. In the late 1930s, anthropologist Norman Tindale identified 14 language groups within Noongar country: Amangu, Yuat, Whadjuk, Binjareb, Wardandi, Balardong, Nyakinyaki, Wilman, Ganeang, Bibulman, Mineng, Goreng, Wudjari and Njunga [i] See Noongar Explained more information. A maam (man) calls his yok koorta. Boundaries are not intended to be exact. Yuat Noongar would bring for trade the following items, among others: Borryl: quartz used for the sharp edges on the gidgee and tabba. Dowak: a short heavy stick used for hunting animals and birds. D-yuna: a fighting stick used during wars and in friendly contests. Gidgee: a spear about two and a half metres in length. Kylie: a flat, curved piece of wood (boomerang) used for hunting animals and birds. Miro: a throwing board used by Noongar people to propel the gidgee. The wonna was always traded by women at the Mandura. Whadjuk is situated south of Yued and north of the Pinjarup dialectal groups. Ngany waanginy, dadjinin waanginy kaartdijin djurip. The boodjar (country) on which The story of the Charnok Woman is particularly important to Joondalup. This Aboriginal ritual recognises the area of land where Whadjuk Noongar people traditionally lived, hunted and gathered (Moort Boodja). The circle is an ancient symbol that is found across cultures over millennia. Nyininy, nih wer kaartdjinin Noongar wangkiny. We are happy, our heart is happy to be speaking with you all. So that's what our people did. Kaya, wanju nidja Noongar boodja (Hello, welcome to Noongar country) Kaya, wanju nidja Noongar boodja (Hello, . It indicates only the general location of larger groupings of people which may include smaller groups such as clans, dialects or individual languages in a group. They came and sat down and sang. If it's opening that way, it's giving. [iii]George Fletcher Moore, A Descriptive Vocabulary of the Language in Common Use Amongst the Aborigines of Western Australia (London: Orr, 1842), http://books.google.com.au/books?id=1e8UAAAAYAAJ&dq=George%20Fletcher%20Moore&pg=PR1#v=onepage&q&f=false,p.68, [iv] Bates, D. Aboriginal Perth: Bibbulmun Biographies and Legends. 1851 (edited and translated in 1977 by E.J. Courtesy of SWALSC, kaya hellowanju welcomenidja/yimniny heredjurapin happynyininy/nyin sitNih/ni listenkaartdijin knowledge, learn, From the past, today, tomorrow and the future. Ngany moort wanjanin. Aboriginal: An original inhabitant of the Australian continent and nearby islands. Explore true natural beauty with spectacular flora and unique wildlife. View the full Colonisation of Perth collection, The Traditional Owners of Perth: Traditional Whadjuk lifestyle, Why the Swan River? . Kiya Wangoo Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar Hello and Welcome to Whadjuk Noongar Country. Ngalak kadatj ngaalang nedigar wer boordiya koora-koora wer yey! We wish to acknowledge the custodians of this land, the Wadjuk (Perth region) people of the Nyoongar nation and their Elders past, present and future. 1. Some well known places in Whadjuk boodja are: Wadjemup, now known as Rottnest Island; Ngooloormayup, now known as Carnac Island; Meeandip, now known as Garden Island; Gargangara north of Armadale; Goolamrup, now known as Kelmscott; Dyarlgarro Beelya, now named the Canning River; and Derbal Yiragan, the Perth estuary waters. We pay our respects to their enduring and dynamic culture and the leadership of Noongar elders past and present. Curtin acknowledges the Nyungar people as the traditional owners of the land on which Curtin Perth is sited and a Welcome to Country is performed at all major Curtin public events. ancient Noongar life as it was since the beginning of time, through stories, song and ceremonies. That would be their responsibility, when there's plenty of dew in the air, and it would just gently burn through and burn that grass. There were some fellas from the north; they came for some ceremony. So thats why we always come to this Minningup. The Nyoongar calendar includes six seasons. . And while I was in the school, see I talked a hell of a lot of Aboriginal talk. Last updated: 5 December 2022 19 min read Author: Jens Korff Close this Wishing you knew more about Aboriginal culture? From Wednesday 1 March 2023, Stay Rottnest will no longer accept in-person bookings. If you have any questions, call SWALSC on 9358 7400 or email regionalcorporations@noongar.org.au. Wort koorl deman, that means go away grandmother. Whadjuk means \"The guardians of the link between the land and the sea\", this link being the Swan River. PO Box 237 Alira/Allira/Allyra. Perth: West Australian Museum, 1989, p.18, [v] George Fletcher Moore, A Descriptive Vocabulary of the Language in Common Use Amongst the Aborigines of Western Australia (London: Orr, 1842), http://books.google.com.au/books?id=1e8UAAAAYAAJ&dq=George%20Fletcher%20Moore&pg=PR1#v=onepage&q&f=false,p.68, [vi] Despatch from Hutt to Marquis of Normanby, 11 February 1840 with enclosure, British Parliamentary Papers, Papers relating to Aborigines, Australian Colonies, 1844, Colonies, Australia, Volume 8, Shannon University Press, 1968, pp.372-3, [vii] Bates, D. Aboriginal Perth: Bibbulmun Biographies and Legends. Pibelmun Noongar would trade local goods such as: Booka/Boka/Bwoka: yongka (kangaroo) skin garment made from several skins of the female kangaroo and used for warmth and protection from the rain in winter. Burdun: a light, straight spear made from the mungurn (swamp wattle) collected from the local swamps. Choota: A possum or kangaroo skin bag used by the women to carry children or food collected while travelling between campsites. Gidgee-borryl: the dreaded quartz edged spear which in post-settlement times was glass tipped. So teacher come along to me and she said, You stop that talk. Watch Noongar of the Beeliar for a sense of place around the Swan River. A "Welcome to Country" also reinforces . Where we get the confusion sometimes with our Nyungar language is the writing down of it. And Im talking with my cousin now So one of these girls she told a teacher, reckoned that I was swearing at her, I was swearing. In the 20th century, if a Noongar person wanted to become a citizen, he or she had to renounce their Noongar identity and were not permitted to speak their language or communicate with family or friends. Click here for more information on the Walyalup Aboriginal History. Wundju Koolark Welcome home We are situated on the land of the Whadjuk Noongar people, the Noongar people remain the traditional peoples and cultural custodians of their land. The tour runs for 70 minutes leaving at 1pm Monday - Saturday. I begin by acknowledging we are meeting on Noongar land and I pay tribute to our traditional owners. The water coming out of the hills would run off and build back up and run around a chain of lakes through where the metropolitan area is now. The different groups would bring stones and ochres and all sorts of different things from their country that didnt exist in Nyungar country and that is a form of paying their way which puts them into the category of trade and tourism. Uh, that flour was mixed with zamia fruit, um, which was also ground into a flour, but you had to treat the zamias to get rid of the toxins out of them, because they can be quite poisonous and toxic to people and uh, you'd die if you didn't treat them right. A Welcome to Country can often involve such activities as a song, dance, smoking ceremonies, or the exchange of gifts. 2, (of 2) published in 1841, identify a common language between Perth and King Georges Sound (Albany). We acknowledge our Ancestors and Elders from long ago until today. Whadjuk: is one of 14 dialectal groups of Nyoongar people. Privacy Statement, 2021 Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences. [xiii] Salvado, Dom Rosendo Memorie Storiche dellAustralia. Palanni waangkaniny. For further information view Welcome to and Acknowledgement of Country Protocols, "We would like to acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country.We also acknowledge the Whadjuk people as theTraditional Owners of the greater Walyalup area and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still important to the living Whadjuk people today.". But what are the differences, who can provide one, and which words should you use? Some locations are particularly special to the Whadjuk people, such as a cave along the Derbal Yarrigan (the Swan River) where it's believed the creation serpent lives. All images copyright their respective owners. Find out more about our commitment to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. This Swan River is called the 'Devil Yerrigan', and in the old way, 'Derbarl Yerrigan' and Derbarl means mixing. Matter of fact I didnt learn to speak English properly until I was about seven. A Welcome to Country occurs at the beginning of a formal event and can take many forms including singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech in traditional language or English. If you wish to purchase Posters from SWALSC please fill in the SWALSC ORDER FORM. Drawn by Roni Forrest for the Aboriginal Cultural Expo at Curtin University, 22 March 2013. AFL scene having such a key community event being held on Noongar country," he said "As for us . The Noongar Language and Culture Centre was set up by concerned individuals and has now grown to include offices in Bunbury, Northam and Perth. Noongar is the official language of the Aboriginal people of the south-west of Western Australia. Hagan was a Noongar. The word Noongar means a person of the south-west of Western Australia, or the name for the original inhabitants of the south-west of Western Australia. Meet at the first pavilion. Our language is made up of fourteen different dialects. Aborigines of Australia. (Singing in language) And then chuck sand to land in the water so he can smell you. In the conflict that ensued, Yagan was both feared and admired by Europeans as a freedom fighter defending his land. And also spirit children were trapped out there when the sea level rose over a long period of time. Kaya (Hello). We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the [xii] The memoirs of Bishop Rosendo Salvado from New Norcia were published in 1851. https://www.ufc.com/video/ufc-284-athletes-experience-welcome-country-ceremony-perth, UFC 284 Athletes Experience Welcome To Country Ceremony In Perth, Viviane Arajo Fight Week Interview | UFC 285, What It's Like To Fight Jon Jones? So it was really important. Sit, listen and learn about Noongar language. Welcome to Country ceremonies are an acknowledgement and recognition of the rights of the Noongar Peoples to Noongar Land. Sign up for regular updates from ABC Education, Your information is being handled in accordance with the. While missions set out to break the chain of learning Noongar culture and language, grouping Noongar people together allowed parents and Elders to continue to pass language on to the younger generation.