21.10.2022
Gerry and La Schaya were invited by the Noongar Boodjar Language Cultural Aboriginal Corporation to be a part of their Atlas of Living Australia project in which consists mainly of rebirthing the Noongar/Nyoongar language along with the preservation of Noongar/Nyoongar Indigenous Knowledge of unique native Flora and Fauna of Southern Western Australia.
Collecting information of native Flora and Fauna from around Cape Arid National Park on Noongar/Nyoongar Country and then making it available on Atlas of Living Australia makes it more available to other Noongar people/s or for others that would like to learn more.
During the time spent on Country for about a week the Elders shared stories from their life and about the knowledge that has been passed on to them about the many different sites, animals and plants across Cape Arid. The scientists, botanists and archaeologists were also able to share information about their knowledge on plants, fossils and on other topics. This was able to show both cultural and scientific knowledge coming together.
We also visited an ancient seabed where the elders say a particular tree only grows, this is how they can tell that they are on their Country also the elders and archaeologists have said that in this seabed is Chert which is a compacted rock with silica in it which was used to make spear heads and traded to other Nations.
This knowledge has now been passed on to the next generation and also to others such as scientists, botanists, archaeologists, university students or can be accessed on Atlas of Living Australia online and at the Noongar Boodjar Language Centre in Perth.
Noongar Boodjar Language Cultural Aboriginal Corporation link - https://noongarboodjar.com.au/
Atlas of Living Australia link - https://www.ala.org.au/