Noongar language has also been adapted into the local English vocabulary, notably with places, plants and animals. She is saying this to the daughter of her daughter. Sharna Walley is a Noongar woman born and raised in Perth. Wort koorl deman, that means go away grandmother. A Welcome to Country ceremony is performed by a recognised elder of a clan that has ancestral links to the land. Biladurang the Platypus. Source: Shane Pickett, 1998; Art Gallery . Learn about the rich history and culture the island holds. If you have any questions, call SWALSC on 9358 7400 or email regionalcorporations@noongar.org.au. Wirba: a heavy club traded from the northern areas. 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. Free daily Welcome to Country hosted by a Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owner. (Yagans biography). Boundaries are not intended to be exact. Below are three examples of Acknowledgments of Country that can be used on Noongar land provided by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council; I/We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on, the Whadjuk (Perth region) people. This rope was also used to tie up wounds. Tabba: a knife made of sharp pieces of quartz connected to a short wooden stick, as thick as a thumb, by kodja or blackboy tree gum. Wilgi: ochre used dry or mixed with grease for protection from the elements such as the sun and flies or mosquitoes. 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. Ngany kurt, ngany karla our heart, our home. Some Noongar place names and their meanings are in Noongar Wangkinyiny. This contains an assemblage of the word lists gathered by Europeans in the early years of the colony, and described above, as well as work from Curr, Bates and Hassell. Just wondering if you know of any language courses running for us wadgellas, round Perth. ), Hesperian Press, Carlisle, 1992. Baalap ngany noyt is our spirit and this is where he rests. This is the important part of the river, of the whole Collie River and the Preston River and the Brunswick River, because he created all them rivers and all the waters but here is the most important because this is where he rest. Whadjuk Biddi . We welcome you to the land of the Whadjuk people which we have called home since the beginning of time. Share your own Rottnest Island experiences. Lowanna. It is the resting place of the Ngangungudditj walgu, the hairy faced snake. Any individual can perform an Acknowledgment of Country, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. For information on Welcome to Country please contact the Community Capacity Team on 9806 5138. The area now known as the City of Armadale was originally occupied by the Noongar people many thousands of years before European settlement. The Quokka Hopper is undergoing maintenance and is currently unavailable. Further, it provides an increasing awareness and recognition of Australias Aboriginal peoples and cultures. The practice can be done by anyone, at any time. So that's what our people did. While Noongar is identified as a single language, there are several ways of pronouncing it, which is reflected in the spelling: Noongar, Nyungar, Nyoongar, Nyoongah, Nyungah, Nyugah, Yungar and Noonga. He was a Whadjuk Noongar man and a resistance fighter during the early years of the Swan River Colony. Indulge in unique flavours and memorable dining experiences. Yacker Danjoo Ngala Bidi means "Working Together Our Way" in Whadjuk Noongar language, and the agreement is set to be signed by Noongar Elders and City representatives on August 10. And while I was in the school, see I talked a hell of a lot of Aboriginal talk. The booklet at the link below sets out a comprehensive set of Noongar protocols for Welcome to Country ceremonies on Noongar Land. Whadjuk: is one of 14 dialectal groups of Nyoongar people. The Whadjuk people are part of a larger group that have existed in the South-West of Western Australia (WA) for more than 50,000 years, known by their common language: Nyoongar. A maam (man) calls his yok koorta. More current is Hortons map of Aboriginal Language Boundaries. Palanni waangkaniny. Ngany moort koorliny. At Koolark we provide support for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Hey, Im super keen to learn to speak more fluent language, and my girl always asking me what the noongar word for this n that are. Over time, the Noongar people have adapted to the colonisation by Europeans, however their language has made its way into the local English vocabulary - most notably in the names of places, animals and plants. The location is North Thomson Bay, next to the Visitor Centre. 2000. Our new HQ is located in Osborne Park, a place where the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation have walked, lived and cared for country and each other for over three thousand generations. Include Aboriginal dance, music and storytelling. I was out alright. The Dictionary also explains the sounds, spelling and pronunciation of Noongar words.[xiv]. Well, if we name them in their English names, you'd have King's Park or Mount Eliza. And we come to this place here today to show respect to him plus also to meet our people because when they pass away this is where we come to talk to them. 1. No bookings required, all are welcome to attend. Bridge (ed. This name is also in use by Palawa people who are originally from Tasmania where Lowanna is the word for woman. Nyoongar country spans from Leeman in the northwest to beyond Cape Arid in the southeast, in the southwest of Australia. Stay connected and be the first to hear about new experiences, events and special offers. 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. 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. Aboriginal: An original inhabitant of the Australian continent and nearby islands. And I looked at her, you know, she said, You, you! In Noongar language, Fremantle, Rottnest, Perth and Albany are known as Walyalup, Wadjemup, Gabbi Darbal and Kinjarling. Nulbarn: a rope-like girdle made from possum hair, wound around the waist and used to carry the kylie (boomerang), tabba (knife), kodja (axe or axe heads) and the dowak (throwing stick). These words are used everyday but they sound slightly different from region to region. Our program focuses on preserving the karlup (home or heart country) and the traditional knowledge of Noongar people. Whadjuk Elders & Speakers Welcome to Country List keyboard_arrow_right. Meet at the first pavilion. 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. [v], 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, Many places in the south-west have been named by Europeans, after European towns and people, such as Perth and Albany. I am a Noongar. Coming home. Ngaalak nyinya nyinyak, baalang ngiyan waarn wara ngaalang. A Nyoongar Wordlist from the South West of Western Australia. Ingrid is the founder and principal consultant of Kart Koort Wiern consultancy, representing First Nations Business globally for over ten years, and an alumni of Murdoc . Some organisations have developed guides to help you understand more about the protocols and when they are required or appropriate: Search our scholarships to see the ones you could be eligible for. Noongar PrayerNgaala Maaman WaangkNgaala Maaman ngiyan yira moonbooli Moodlooga. 'Nollamara' Nollamara is the kangaroo paw. 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. The future of learning and teaching is here, Security, Terrorism & Counterterrorism online, Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirements, Keep Carnabys Flying Ngoolarks Forever, The political economy of governance reform, Marine and Freshwater Research Laboratory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commitment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Talent Register, Find out more about our world-leading research, See how you could benefit from collaborating with us, Welcome to Country Acknowledgement of Country (PDF), Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols, Noongar Protocols for Welcome to Country (PDF), TEQSA ID: PRV12163 (Australian University), South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council . But what are the differences, who can provide one, and which words should you use? If it's opening that way, it's giving. They came and sat down and sang. respect to the traditional custodians of the land, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation and their Elders past and present. See history of suburb names courtesy of Landgate, WA. Yoowart koorl ngaalang moort-moort djooroot. Noongar Elder Aunty Margaret Culbong said the Danjoo was about acknowledging and respecting the Whadjuk people. The location is North Thomson Bay, next to the Visitor Centre. Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Guidelines and . It was written by singer-songwriter Gina Williams, who released an album sung entirely in the Indigenous language of Western Australia. The circle is an ancient symbol that is found across cultures over millennia. She said, If you talk like that you can get out. You will need to apply for membership of your regional corporation separately. Journal of Biogeography 27: 1257-1268. 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. The Noongar Language and Culture Centre was set up by concerned individuals and has now grown to include offices in Bunbury, Northam and Perth. The simple wording on this poster could be . The Joondalup region is part of Mooro country and is an important place for indigenous people. Your people have come back. . (Singing in language) And then chuck sand to land in the water so he can smell you. And that was only one thing, the other thing was to teach em not to talk in their language, to teach em to talk in the EnglishDoolann Leisha Eatts, oral history, SWALSC, 2003, Noongar language has survived despite the impact of settlement and dominance of English. Today, much has changed, and these protocols have been adapted to contemporary circumstances. [viii] Beard, J.S., Chapman, A.R. 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. Once a year the Whadjuk would travel along Derbal Yarrigan (Swan River) and meet at Walyalup (Fremantle) to celebrate the country and waterway they cared for.' 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. A key action included in the RAP is building respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures . We acknowledge our Ancestors and Elders from long ago until today. Meeukang Warangka ba Kenniny means dancing and singing in the moonlight in the language of the Whadjuk Noongar people, so get ready . Your Noongar guide will take you on an ancient Dreamtime journey with its origins in the night sky. Western Australian Association for Mental Health We acknowledge the Noongar people as the traditional owners of Whadjuk country, and extend our respects to their elders past and present. The main difference between the Noongar language groups is pronunciation, but because the groups are geographically and ecologically distinctive, there are also regional vocabularies. Some words may only be known in one region of Noongar country, particularly plants, which are unique to the local climate and soil type. 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. We pay our respects to Noongar elders past and present, and acknowledge Kaya (Hello). Ingrid Cumming - Custodian & Traditional Owner of Whadjuk Noongar Country Ingrid Cumming is a Whadjuk Balardong Noongar woman from Fremantle, Western Australia and recognised young leader within the First Nations community. Mooro Elders have granted permission for stories and other information to be published in the Joondalup Mooro Boodjar brochure, which enables the community to gain a wider appreciation of the indigenous connection to the land. Noongar land. 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. Some Noongar place names in Perth are: Balga, Beeliar, Willagee and Mirrabooka. Because you get one linguist or an Aboriginal person and another person writing it down and another person reading it, doesnt necessarily come out the way it was written down, and then it creates a bit of confusion but we all generally know what we are talking about.Doc Renolds in van den Berg, Collard, Harben and Byrne, Nyungar Tourism in the South West of Western Australia, Murdoch University, 2005. Come along and meet us as we share our story, the first story of Aboriginal Perth. We at Murdoch University are proud to continue this long tradition. Acknowledgements can also be in written form. I am delighted to lead the Shire of Toodyay's commitment towards . A Welcome to Country ceremony is a traditional Aboriginal blessing, symbolising the traditional owners' consent to an event taking place on their land. We dont want any heathens in this school. These fellas only used to stay for a little while, while the ceremony was there and they used to exchange things, you know?Noongar Elder Sealin Garlett in Collard, Harben and van den Berg, Nidja Beeliar Boodjar Noonookurt Nyininy website, 2004, Much of the trade that took place between the different Noongar groups was very dependent on the six Noongar seasons. And, um, combine that with fish and there was lots to eat. 1.3% of the City identify as Noongar, Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander peoples. Karla koorliny we call it. You can apply for membership here. This acknowledgement pays respect to the traditional custodians, ancestors and continuing cultural, spiritual and religious practices of Noongar people. 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. Karla koorliny. They might go to some of their other relations, they dont call them uncles they call them konk and their brother-in-law they call them ngoorldja. 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. They can provide contact details for a Traditional Owner/Custodian. The approximate size of the Whadjuk region is 5,580 km. This is Noongar Country you are seeing. 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. A lot of the Nyungar history and culture have come from word of mouth from our Nyungar elders.Craig McVee in van den Berg, Collard, Harben and Byrne, Nyungar Tourism in the South West of Western Australia, Murdoch University, 2005. 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. There are several language groups that make up the Noongar, including the Whadjuk, who are the traditional owners of the land around Perth. Shane Abdullah, Richard Walley and James Webb perform at National Native Title Conference Welcome to Country 2008 . Revival of our language is also evident with Noongar being taught in addition to English in primary schools like Carralee in Willagee, Morditj Noongar in Middle Swan, Ashfield Primary School and Djidi Djidi School at Bunbury. Early explorers had no English names for many of the species that occur in the south-west of WA. We welcome you to the land of the Whadjuk people which we have called home since the beginning of time. This acknowledgement pays respect to the traditional custodians, ancestors and continuing cultural, spiritual and religious practices of Noongar people. When permission was granted the hosting tribe would welcome the visitors, offering them safe passage and protection of their spiritual being during the journey. AFL scene having such a key community event being held on Noongar country," he said "As for us . Welcome to Country enables the Darug to give their blessing for the event and is an important mark of respect for local traditional owners. I know who Hagan is. And we come and look there and talk to you old fellow. You can also show respect through an Acknowledgement of Country: We acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation as the traditional custodians of this country and its waters and that Murdoch University stands on Noongar country. Apply now to study in semester 1, 2023! There are 14 identified dialect groups within this Nyoongar region. 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). The location is North Thomson Bay, next to the Visitor Centre. The Noongar people have lived in the south-west corner of Western Australia for at least 45,000 years. Trade took place before the settlers actually came to this country. We need to commit to reinvigorating our cultural heritage and teach our kurlonggur (children) so that they know where they come from, once they learn the language they can start to make that connection to their cultural identity and heritage and go forward with pride into the future.Sandra Harben, SWALSC, 2012, My name is Bianca. 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. We apologise for any inconvenience. Connection to country is the Noongar people's spiritual and physical care for the environment and for their places of significance. "The purpose of the ceremony is to allow for the good spirits to welcome and protect visitors on Noongar land," Mr Winmar said. [i] Tindale, N.B. P.J. You would have, uh, Point Walter. 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. This video. Many people however, rejected citizenship because they were not prepared to give up their Noongar culture. 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 are happy, our heart is happy to be speaking with you all. Whadjuk is the name of Traditional Owners of the Perth region including Fremantle. 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. Ngany waangkaniny. Noongar people have lived in harmony with the natural environment . Whadjuk is situated south of Yued and north of the Pinjarup dialectal groups. Fremantle itself we'd call 'Walyalup' and Walyalup your lungs. In this way, Noongar language has been kept alive. A child is called a nop. It reinforces our group identity, which binds land and people. The Whadjuk Claim for Native Title was made in September 2006. Whadjuk is the name of Traditional Owners of the Perth region including Fremantle. Today, there are many Noongar language classes in schools and TAFE. The reason for this can be found in an early document from Governor Hutt. ancient Noongar life as it was since the beginning of time, through stories, song and ceremonies. Consisting of 14 different dialects, Noongar is an oral language and the spelling of it is variable. Noongar people also have many names for places and towns throughout our boodja. All rights reserved. Whilst our lands are known by these other names, our own remain in place, connecting us with our ancient homelands. Our language is made up of fourteen different dialects. Here in the metropolitan area, around the city of Perth, and of course, even down as far as Fremantle, this area was known as Whadjuk country, and the Whadjuk people spoke a language that was basically one language right through the Southwest. Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences All contents copyright Rottnest Island Authority. The Welcome to Country was performed by Noongar men Barry Winmar and Dr Richard Walley. [iii] Daisy Bates records that Goonininup or Crawley Bay was a key camping place on a major trade route used by Nyungar travelling from other areas to Perth in order to trade for the highly demanded wilgi (red ochre).[iv]. 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. Koort is heart. Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country are important Aboriginal ceremonies. Hello, welcome to my home country Much of the biodiversity in Noongar country is not found anywhere else in the world. But I wasnt swearing. Ngany waanginy, dadjinin waanginy kaartdijin djurip. And then of course, into Fremantle itself. Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation Membership of SWALSC does not mean you are automatically a member of your regional corporation. Drawn by Roni Forrest for the Aboriginal Cultural Expo at Curtin University, 22 March 2013. Well, that's where our people used to live. Thats our rules. It was made from peppermint shafts. Thank you for the opportunity and inviting me here this evening to share with you my story and 'Welcome to Country'. Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre is unable to provide services or arrangements for Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country. I would also like to pay my respects to Elders past and present. This week we paid our respects to the Whadjuk Noongar people and were warmly welcomed to our new HQ with a Smoking Ceremony . And there was a reef extending out there before it was blasted by C. Y. O'Connor. I talk now. 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. Pinjarup Noongar would trade the following items at the Mandura: Burdun: a light gidgee, highly prized for the elasticity of the timber. Durda-dyer: a skin of a dingo tail, worn on the upper part of the forehead as an ornament. Ngow-er: a small tuft of feathers tied to a stick and worn in the hair for ornamentation. Niggara: a human hair girdle worn around the waist. Nyinyak ngaalang nidja kedela ngaala mereny. Welcome to Noongar country. Overall there are many common words in Noongar, for example: kaya = hello, moort = family, boodja = country and yongka = kangaroo. Bring them home and then you sing to them. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our knowledge and culture with you on a tour through Whadjuk Country.