This project demonstrates a pathway to re-embed a Wadandi Songline as a conservation corridor in a socially and ecologically fragmented landscape.
The Wadandi cultural landscape integrates spiritual, social and ecological networks, manifested in Songlines. Re-embedding Songlines into land management is imperative to reconnecting a fragmented landscape for social and ecological health. We held a series workshops, led and guided by Pibbulmun-Wadandi Custodians, to deliver an internal set of Guideline of Wadandi Knowledge Systems; outlining the parameters of collaborative and culturally guided research and planning. This stage builds the capacity of each partner by operating in a community-based model of cultural knowledge principles and adaptive land management.
We applied the Guidelines to an Interactive Cultural Map and Database, which serves as a strategic planning tool. Utilising an intuitive, spatial platform ensures community oversight and empowerment by controlling the use of sensitive information and handling multiple systems of data; including research projects and land management plans. The Map layers non-sensitive cultural information and historical and contemporary datasets, including zoning and land use plans - integrating cultural and Western knowledge systems for ongoing use by the community.
Re-embedding Pibbulmun-Wadandi Knowledge Systems in land management via Songlines is demonstrated through a case study, Kalloora Bidiwah (Emu Plum Pathways), which showcases the Guidelines and principles in a collaborative project. Kalloora Bidiwah simultaneously builds the capacity of the Wadandi community, while focusing efforts to reconnect a fragmented cultural ecological corridor. Wadandi Elders and community facilitators led field surveys and cultural mapping, in tandem with ethno-botanical and phylogeographic (plant genetic) studies.
The case study will focussed on a cultural corridor that encompasses ecological zones and geological foundations. Within the corridor, the Pibbulmun-Wadandi knowledge systems are represented by the waatj (emu) and kalloora (emu plum, Podocarpus drouynianus) which bring aspects of cultural corridors and cultural fire practices central to biodiversity land management. Kalloora Bidiwah highlights the importance of the symbiotic relationships between key species and cultural knowledge as the platform for conservation management.
The final step will incorporate the above learning and understandings into a Postgraduate Thesis. The thesis exists as both documentation and a demonstration of Pibbulmun-Wadandi appropriate research and a land management approach. Spatial data documented throughout the research project are integrated into the Interactive Cultural Map and Database for ongoing use by the community.
This undertaking builds Indigenous governance and prosperity in the Wadandi Community by carrying out community-based, culturally guided, integrative research to restore a fragmented landscape. Research institutions, government agencies and other organisations will benefit by collaborating in a culturally guided environment leading to greater understandings and respect towards Indigenous communities.
For more information about this project visit: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories
For more information about Undalup Association visit: https://www.undalup.com/