More than 150 people, including local scientists and Noongar elders and knowledge holders, have gathered for a special symposium in Albany to explore collaborative ways to care for country.
"I particularly enjoyed the contributions from Elders and from people of other cultures trying to establish long-lasting and mutually-respectful collaborations with First Nations people."
Professor Stephen Hopper, UWA
The Kwodjet Goorliny Symposium marked a significant milestone for the four-year Walking Together Project, a collaboration between The University of Western Australia Albany, South Coast Natural Resource Management and Lotterywest.
Led by UWA Albany's Professor Stephen Hopper, a global leader in botany and conservation biology, the event, held under the watchful eyes of Kinjarling's (Albany) kaarts (hills), was designed as an opportunity for those involved in the project to meet colleagues from further afield.
Hosted at Retravision Stadium, the event attracted attendees from Menang and Goreng Boodjar, the wider Noongar Boodjar, and areas as far away as Badimia, Martu and Gamilaroi Country.
Highlights included 'yarns' shared by 39 speakers covering topics as diverse as cultural fire to two-way science education in schools and a field trip to the upper Kalgan River, lower King River and Whaling Cove which provided an opportunity to listen to Elders on how care for these places and each other.
Image: Menang man Larry Blight conducts a cultural tour for delegates at the Kalgan River. Photo credit Annie Leitch.
On the final day, a workshop facilitated by Merningar woman and UWA Albany PhD candidate Shandell Cummings encouraged delegates to imagine the future and brainstorm tangible actions to reach their desired goals.
UWA Albany Masters program graduate Anna Ischenko said it was inspiring to see how many different people from different walks of life were passionate about the same topic.
"It was great to see the Noongar Elders and knowledge holders at the centre of this work celebrated," she said.
Professor Stephen Hopper said the symposium exceeded expectations in many ways.
"I particularly enjoyed the contributions from Elders and from people of other cultures trying to establish long-lasting and mutually-respectful collaborations with First Nations people," Professor Hopper said.
Image: Professor Stephen Hopper shows delegates gnamma holes at Whaling Cove. Photo credit Annie Leitch.
Elder Dr Noel Nannup added the event demonstrated that "we can walk together successfully".
"Now we need to start working together to achieve mutually desired aims where Elders genuinely are embraced to co-lead collaborative projects," Dr Nannup said.
The Walking Together Project will wrap up in July, but the relationships and aspirations explored through the symposium are expected to continue into the future.
