Cartographic representations of the Western Australian landscape are a powerful visual manifestation of the author’s perspective and spatial understanding of place. Settler mapping has historically disregarded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge when representing land and urban landscapes. Mapping of Walyalup Fremantle has omitted or siloed Aboriginal knowledge systems, as a consequence limiting understanding of the complexities and interconnectedness of physical elements, social structures, memories, and the deep histories of place.
Within the contemporary urban landscape, settler ignorance of Aboriginal knowledge of place is evident in the inability of planning protocols and built environment professionals to engage with and effectively embed Aboriginal culture and language within contemporary urban environments. This applied research makes a timely contribution to the Whadjuk Noongar and non-Whadjuk Aboriginal communities, local government and built environment industries through applying and documenting Whadjuk Noongar led cultural mapping, using these maps to communicate and influence Whadjuk landscapes in the planning system, and educating future leaders about the respect and use of Aboriginal knowledge.
Mapping Boodjar continues the cultural mapping method undertaken with remote and regional Aboriginal communities as part of the Ngurrara Canvas, The Yiwarra Kuju (The Canning Stock Route Project), the Yawuru and Murujuga cultural management plans, and the cultural mapping recently undertaken within the urban landscape of The University of Western Australia. The project draws on this knowledge to further shed light on the contemporary issue of truth telling and decolonising within the built environment. The most important research output, a map, will be a visual expression of Whadjuk Noongar culture within the urban landscape of Walyalup Fremantle.
The methods for this project supports the aims and ensure Aboriginal leadership, governance and ownership. Mapping Boodjar is an Aboriginal-Led co-research, co-designed project framed through the Whadjuk Noongar specific Kaart Koort Waarnginy (KKW) framework developed by Dr Richard Walley and Whadjuk Noongar Elders. The method is embedded in the Noongar six seasons and grounded in a philosophy of collaboration and conversation between all parties. The combination of the co-research where participants are co-researchers and KKW, facilitates respectful relationships, shared understandings, and two-way learning.
For further information visit: https://noongarboodjar.com.au/